Soccer News of Thursday, 10 March 2005

Source: GNA

Mine Stars beat Aduana Stars in Middle league

Kumasi, March 10, GNA - Prestea Mine Stars beat Aduana Stars 2-1 in the National Division One Middle League match at the Kumasi Sports stadium on Wednesday.

Mine Stars who started the match on a fast note got the match opener in the ninth minute through Prince Yeboah whose perfect drive beat goalkeeper Eric Asare in goal for Aduana.

Spurred on by this early goal, they continued to pile pressure on their opponents in a bid to increase the tally, but Aduana Stars quickly turned the scales in their favour and nearly had the equaliser in the 15th minute but a shot from Samuel Asiedu missed the post narrowly. Ebenezer Gyan followed up by also missing two chances in the 20th and in the 25th minutes when after beating a defender and the goalkeeper he failed to put the ball into the empty net.

The Miners' counter-attacked and just as their attacker was heading towards the goal area, he was brought down about 25 metres away from the goal posts and Kwaku Dua perfectly scored from the resultant free-kick to make it 2-0 in the 35th minute for the Miners to end the first half. Aduana Stars brought on Duke Osei for Masawudu Awudu to strengthen their midfield when the second half resumed while Mine Stars also replaced Osei Tutu with Emmanuel Boateng in the 50th minute.

With their midfield strengthened, Aduana Stars from then took control of the game and their attacking machinery piled pressure on their opponents and deservingly scored a goal in the 59th minute through Gyan.

Mine Stars were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute when Prince Yeboah was brought down in the box but the resultant kick which was taken by Isaac Owusu hit the crossbar and bounced back into play. Both sides made desperate efforts to score but none of them could score again till referee John Atta Kesse brought the proccedings to an end.