Accra, May 8, GNA- A fifth minute strike by Prince Tagoe was all Accra Hearts Oak needed to record their first victory at home when they engaged Kpando Heart of Lions in their GT Premier league match played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra on Sunday.
Playing his first game in the five-week old Premiership The lanky striker punished Lions' goalkeeper Chitou Rashad for failing to make a first time save when he pounced on a rebound from Lawrence Adjah Tetteh's free kick to record the lone goal.
It was one game in which the Phobians dominated their opponents who are winless so far in the competition, but lacked what it takes to score, as they recorded unpardonable misses, which left their followers doubting their preparedness for their crucial game against Asante Kotoko in Kumasi next Sunday.
Hearts, inspired by the return of Tagoe twice called goalkeeper Rahad to duty in the 10th and 12th minutes when he dived to his elastic limit, to parry to safety, two hefty shots from Adjah and Francis Bossman.
But the Lions had themselves to blame by making a hero of the nation's number one goalie, Sammy Adjei with a penalty on the quarter hour.
Adjei saved Obed Ansah's kick after Michael Donkor had fouled advancing Isaac Morgan in the vital box. Lions managed to warm themselves up well after the initial set back but failed to make use of the scanty chances they created.
Sekondi Hasaacas beat visiting Okwawu United 2-0 in their GT Premier League Match at Sekondi Gyandu Park.
Hasaacas took the kick-off and were trying to displace the defence of Okwawu United when one of their players, Godred Yartey was kicked down in the penalty area of the opponents.
Referee Mercy Quarcoo of Tema awarded a penalty to Hasaacas and Moses Andoh shot past goalie Fatau Alhassan of Okwawu United for the first goal.
Okwawu re-assessed their pattern of play after the goal and mounted pressure on Hasaacas but made little headway in their attempt for the equaliser.
Hasaacas fought back and were rewarded with a second goal in the 15th minute through Anthony Davis. Okwawu United played like wounded lions after the second goal but Hasaacas remained resolute, pushing their opponents off their penalty area.
The match gathered momentum from the 30th minute as Hasaacas resorted to defensive play to protect their lead.
In the 43rd minute, Okwawu substituted Alfred Laryea for Issah Mutawakiln in a bid to strengthen their team.
Back from recess, Okwawu United continued their attacking spree and in the process substituted Joseph Osei Kwakye for Issah Mutawakiln and Obed Owusu for Abudlai Sisi.
Hasaacas also replaced Moses Andoh with Messy Ephraim, Godred Yartey for Richard Addo and Samuel Ellis for Kingsley Kwarteng. Both sides had some scoring opportunities in the second half but they fluffed them all.
In Swedru, Gomoa Fetteth Feyenoord kept their unblemished home record intact by holding visiting Kumasi Asante Kotoko to a goalless draw.
Both teams played cautiously until Kotoko's Nana Arhin Duah was gifted with the best chance of the day and he delivered a powerful shot that left young goalkeeper Philip MacCarthy fumbling, Kotoko failed to gain an advantage from the situation.
Few minutes later, Kotoko's Kenneth Ababio had the first caution of the day for deliberately handling the ball in the vital area of Kotoko in an attempt to obstruct an advancing opponent.
In a bid to strengthen both the defence and attack, Kotoko's coach Malik Jabir effected two quick changes that had William Thompson and John Cudjoe giving way to Issah Ahmed and Ali Ouedraogo. The substitution could however not alter the game's pattern leaving both teams with a point each.