Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - After last Sunday's 13th-week Kinapharma league matches overshadowed by the crunch duel between arch rivals Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak which ended in a deadlock, the premiership will enter its penultimate first round encounters on Wednesday.

Top on the fixtures is a clash between league leaders Kotoko and Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday. It will be Charles Taylor's first game in Accra since his much-publicised transfer saga from Hearts.

Certainly, it will be one match that Taylor will try to make amends for his inability to score against his former club in Kumasi and also, prove the stuff he is made of.

Liberty, who were thrashed 3-0 by Arsenals in Berekum and have subsequently, slipped from third to fifth on the 16-club league table will try to rewrite the script come Thursday. The Dansoman team are yet to record their first victory against the Porcupine Warriors since joining the premiership; but this will certainly be a tall order for the young scientific lads.

Their best so far has been a draw and perhaps, Thursday could be one lucky day for striker Asamoah Gyan and his colleagues.

Hearts welcome Tano Bofoakwa in Accra on Wednesday in what could be one of the low key matches but the same cannot be said of the game between Kpando Hearts of Lions and Real Tamale United.

The Lions' performance have taken a nose dive after that sterling showing against Kotoko last month; and could suffer another defeat yet, perhaps a baptism of fire in Bolga after King Faisal's thrashing at the beginning of the season.

Shaibu Yakubu, currently king in the goalking chart is hoping to increase his tally as his club, Goldfields, come up against Mine Stars at the Obuasi Sports Stadium; and at the Gyandu Park Coach David Ducan leads Hasaacas against Arsenals.

Other pairings are, Power versus Stay Cool at Koforidua, King Faisal clash with Okwawu United in Kumasi while Brong Ahafo United welcome Great Olympics at the Sunyani Coronation Park.

Buckman-Yanney to referee Kotoko/Liberty match

Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - Cape Coast-based referee Buckman-Yanney is billed to handle the Kinapharma first round penultimate crunch league match between league leaders, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday.

Robert Aggrey and J. Dawson-Amoah, both from Cape coast, will assist him on the lines, while Dan Piime will be the match commissioner.

In Accra on Wednesday, referee Gyan-Otoo of Tarkoradi will be in the middle as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Tano Bofoakwa. His colleague, Cosmos Oteng from Asankragua and Tetteh Opai of Koforidua will assist him on the lines; Kojo Fynn of Tema will commission the match. Tema-based Joseph Mortey referees the encounter between Hasaacas and Berekum Arsenal at the Sekondi Gyandu Park. Mary Seidu and Alhassan Inussah all of Tema, will assist him on the lines.

As Real Tamale United come up against Kpando Hearts of Lions at the Bolga Park, Felix Ameh, Raymond Cudjoe and Yaw Tannor, all, of Accra, will be the officials for the match.

Accra-based referee Kwao Samspon will be in centre as the two mining clubs - Goldfields and Mine Stars - clash at Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium; and on the lines, will be J. K. Montford and M. A. Dawutey, both from Accra.

Officials for the rest of the matches on Wednesday are: King Faisal v Okwawu United - Ref. Frank Fudzi, Innocentia Agbavitor (asst. 1), V. L. K. Demarkpor (asst. 2) and P. B. Bonna (M/C). Brong Ahafo United versus Olympics: Joe Debrah (ref.), John Okran (asst. 1), Osei Agyemang (asst.2) and J. K. Nkrumah (M/C) Power v Stay Cool: J. McCarthy (ref.), Abass Gyimah (asst. 1), F. B. Arthur (asst. 2) and J. K. Boateng (M/C). 11 Aug, 2003.