Star Premier League 22nd week

Two early goals in the first half and another in the second half gave a rejuvenated Accra Great Olympics a big win over Suhum-based Maxbees in their 22nd week Star Premier League match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday to move from the 15th spot to the 12th.

Under the instructions of Takoradi-based class one referee RM Kwaning, Olympics with their new found strength, moved swiftly into action and it came as no surprise therefore when J B Danquah scored a goal after receiving a pass from Kobina Dodzie in the fifth minute.

With this early lead, Olympics took control of the game and pilled up more pressure on their opponents who surprisingly had the better of the exchanges but lacked a good striking force.

Having resurged from a poor first round performance, Olympics looked more aggressive and wasted no chance in increasing their goal tally when Albert Nkansah headed home a J B Danquah cross in the 18th minute. Olympics continued their aggression to score more goals while Maxbess also struggled to reduce the goal deficit.

Back from recess, Olympics maintained their dominance and pressurised Maxbees but a good chance in the 50th minute was thwarted by goalkeeper Samuel Nartey in post for Maxbees.

Their pressure however paid of in the 51st minute when Francis Mantey crossed the ball to Albert Nkansah who was lurking around the goal area to slot in. Both teams wasted many goal scoring chances in the second half with Maxbees being the worst offenders as goals which could easily be scored were either shot at keeper David Sharpe or was over the goal bar.

In Sekondi, Hassacas drew one all with visiting Obuasi Goldfields in their match played at the Gyandu Park.

Hassacas attacked in bursts early in the game but misused several scoring chances due to lack of co-ordination upfront. Goldfields went ahead in the 40th minute when Ofoso Amoah thundered a shot into the net.

After the goal, Goldfields redoubled their efforts while Hassacas struggled fruitlessly to regain control until the referee whistled for the end of the first half.

Back from recess, the match became very hot as the two teams contested every ball. Hassacas appeared to have more possession but once again, they failed to make use of their scoring opportunities.

In the 80th minute, Frank Turkson took a powerful free-kick which hit the goalpost of Goldfields but the ball bounced back into play and was cleared form the penalty area. Issa Mohammed however equalised for Hassacas in the 88th minute to save the home side from disgrace.

With this result, both teams remain safe in the league though they have no championship chances. Hasaacas are now on 31 points while Goldfields have 30.

Champion club Accra Hearts of Oak continued their winning spree when they beat soccer mountaineers, Okwahu United 3-2 in their match played at the Nkawkaw Park to remain on top of the table with 52 points.

Hearts who dominated play at the initial stages got the first goal in the 11th minute when inside right Adja Tetteh's header from outside right Don Bortey's free-kick beat Okwawu 'keeper, Nkono Mauzu.

Hearts made it 2-0 four minutes later when outside right Don Bortey's free-kick deflected off an Okwawu defender before entering the net. Okwawu came into the picture and pulled one back in the 28th minute through centre forward and skipper for the side Alfred Nii Larbi when he capitalised on a defensive blunder and shot past Hearts 'keeper James Nanor.

Hearts continued their domination with beautiful combination between centre forward Charles Benson, inside right Adja Tetteh and inside forward Ishmael Addo and had their third goal in the 48th minute when keeper Nkono failed to grab outside left Emmanuel Adjogu's first time shot and Ishmael Addo scored from the rebound.

In the 55th minute, Okwawu sent in Ernest Boateng and Kofi Apetor for outside right Richard Mireku and inside right Paul Apraku to strengthen their attacking machinery, while Hearts also sent in Charles Allotey for outside left Emmanuel Adjogu.

The changes benefited Okwawu when they got their second goal in the 58th minute through substitute Ernest Boateng when he scored form outside right Paul Amponsah's in-swinger.

Okwawu made efforts to level scores but the Hearts defence, pivoted around Mohammed Hassan foiled all their efforts at goal.

Bofoakwa still unbeaten at home A goal scored by inside-left Kwadwo Poku enabled Tano Bofoakwa to beat visiting Ghapoha of Tema 1-0 in their match determined at the Sunyani Coronation Park on Sunday.

Ghapoha did not find the decision of FIFA referee Ibrahim Iddrisu of Tamale's decision a popular one, as they alleged the goal was scored form an off-side position.

Kwame Ben who led the protest against the decision was given a yellow card for dissent.

Right from kick off, the game was balanced as both sides adopted a cautious approach, but by the end of the first half, Bofoakwa had created some goal-scoring chances but their attackers squandered them all.

The homesters played with renewed vigour on resumption with Burkinabe international, Clovis Kambu, Yeboah George, Osei Boateng, and John Cudjoe working hard to increase the tally.

After soaking the pressure, Ghapoha attacked in bursts midway through the second half but surprisingly, most of their moves up front were ruled off-side by referee Ibrahim Iddrisu till the end of the game.

At Berekum, Arsenals also beat visiting Dawu Youngsters1-0.