Accra, Aug 28, GNA - Osu XI and their counterparts from La, shared the honours when they drew goalless in the first leg of their annual Homowo Cup match played at the Osu Salem Park on Saturday. The cup match event between the two sides, is played yearly as part of activities to round off the annual Homowo festival.

In a well-attended encounter, it was the Osu team, buoyed by their home supporters who went straight into attack after class one referee, Godfred Omaboe had signalled hostilities to begin.

The La team, who came with a well-rehearsed defensive plan to stem a recent string of lone goal defeats to their Osu counterparts, remained resolute at the rear with anchorman Osei Bonsu of Accra Great Olympics fame, keeping a tight watch.

La determined to redeem their battered image, gradually regrouped and broke from their defensive shell and played some delectable soccer in the midfield where Edward Sosu and Conney Aziz played well. But though La team were slightly on top, they could not translate their midfield dominance into goals as veteran Nii Noi Dowona brought his rich experience to bear at the Osu back line to render the visitors attack unproductive.

Osu, who were not overawed, relied on the fast breaks and created some decent chances but could not find a way past Power FC's goalkeeper, Humphrey Amoah who proved equal to all the Osu attackers had for him to end the half.

In the second half, both sides made a string of substitutions in a bid to strengthen their teams for the elusive opener.

But with a goal not coming, frustration set in, resulting in a lot of wild tackles, but Referee Omaboe, who performed creditably to the admiration of both divide of supporters, quickly stamped his authority on the game, issuing out some yellow cards, including one to Felix Yeboah of Osu for a wild tackle on a La player.

La nearly had the last laugh, but for the alertness of Nii Noi Dowona, guarding the first post, who headed to touch a goal bound corner kick in the dying embers of the game.

The second leg will be played in La next week.