Soccer- Goldfields whitewash Olympics 3-1

Accra, March 12, GNA -- Thrice league champions Obuasi Goldfields put up a spirited second half performance to whack slow-starters Accra Great Olympics 3-1 in their first week fixture of the ABC Premier League match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Raja Nurudeen shot Oly into the lead in the 23 minute whiles Stephen Amo (52) and two Guinean internationals, Sylla Abdul and Momo Wandel scored for the visitors in the 72 and 82 minutes respectively to complete the rout.

Olympics launched an early attack from the blast of the whistle by Tarkwa-based class one referee T. R. K. Attiful but top marksman, Amui Quaye's two attempts at goal in the first and fourth minutes respectively, were thwarted by goalkeeper Constant Mantey.

Goldfields gained their composure from the eighth minute and young defender Eric Boakye sent a very strong warning to the Oly defencemen when he latched onto a loose ball but his powerful shot went off target.

The visitors brought on Kenneth Ababio, formerly of Swedru All Blacks, for James Boateng in the 23rd minute; but his presence was immediately greeted by Olympics' first and only goal through Nurudeen.

It was a long volley from the rear, which was beautifully headed by Amui Quaye into the path of Nurudeen to tap the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Mantey. Goldfields took control in the second half with Guinean international Sylla creating a lot of chances for Isaac Boakye who failed to connect them. However, in the 52-minute midfielder Stephen Amo caught Oly's goalkeeper David Sharp wrong footed with a 35-metre drive which sailed into the net for the equaliser.

Surprisingly after that goal, Oly's defencemen appeared groggy and allowed the visitors to outpace them. Substitute Momo Wandel, who had his first goal ruled off side, scored the second for Goldfields in the 72nd minute.

The bulky striker intercepted a pass from his compatriot Sylla following a counter attack, raced into Oly's goal area and shot into the net. Sylla sealed the doom of Oly with a chicky chip into the far right corner of the net for the visitors' third goal in the 82nd minute.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko's recent feat in winning three trophies in a two-week spell, suffered a set-back when they lost 1-2 at home to Ghapoha of Tema in the ABC/Premier league match at the Kumasi sports stadium today.

Kotoko beat Dwarfs to annex the Kofi Annan cup, lifted the JOT Agyemang cup at the expense of Hearts and capped their brilliant performance by winning the Guinness Gala which has eluded them for 26 years.

Following these resounding victories, the teeming supporters of Kotoko expected their idol club to add Ghapoha, who are fast becoming their bogey side to their list of victims.

But the supporters sat dumb-founded as the youthful Ghapoha side taught their more experienced side a soccer lesson, forcing a bitter pill down the throats of the porcupine warriors.

Kotoko paid dearly for their casual approach to the game and conceded the first goal in the sixth minute when left-winger Mensah Pomayie rounded the defence to squeezed the ball into the far corner of the net.

Kotoko counter-attacked in the 15th minute as the defence of Ghapoha was out-paced but left-winger Augustine Amponsah hit a low shot which bounced off a defender for goal keeper Joseph Mensah to save.

In the 22nd minute, Joe Agyemang of Kotoko shot off target when in a good position to score while a free-kick by Mark Ofori hit the wood-work but the goalkeeper managed to push the ball over the line for a corner-kick.

Let off the hook, Ghapoha striker Dan Bortey, prying in the box, exploited a defensive mix-up to slot the ball into an empty net after goal keeper Oscar Asamoah had failed to make a first time save.

Kotoko with their pride hurt, went all out and scored in the 44th minute from an indirect free-kick inside the "18" of Ghapoha which was beautifully taken by Mark Ofori.

Kotoko later replaced goalkeeper Asamoah with Samuel Quansah who performed gallantly, saving countless shots from Dan Bortey and Pomayie, who proved too slippery for the Kotoko defence.

Ghapoha showed signs of tiredness towards the end of the second half but Kotoko could not capitalise on this to level up as they squandered several scoring chances.

Champion club Accra Hearts of Oak made a bright start in defence of their league title when they beat Real Tamale United (RTU) 1-0 in their match played at the Tamale Kaladan park.

After a largely uneventful first half, Hearts came back strongly to score the only goal of the match in the 51st minute. RTU were slightly on top in the first half but centre forward Abass Iddrisu on three occasions failed to utilise the chances that came his way.

Hearts inside left Emmanuel Kuffour also messed up a golden opportunity in the 25th minute when his feeble shot hit the goal posts and bounced into play. In the second half, Hearts resorted to short, man-to-man passes, dominating the midfield and confusing the RTU defenders.

Ishmael Addo capitalised on a defensive blunder to flick the ball past keeper Mohammed Suraju to put Hearts in the lead in the 51st minute and set a tall order for the home boys to redeem their pride.

RTU, determined to rise to the occasion, made a number of incursions into the Hearts goal area in an effort to equalise but their high balls didn't help much as the tall Hearts defenders managed to contain them.

Both team made three changes each but that could not change the pattern of play apart from a few near misses by either side which kept the large crowd on their toes.

An off the pitch incident of stone throwing by fans after the match apparently aimed at the match officials marred what was otherwise a good game played in a friendly atmosphere.

The police had to use tear gas to disperse the fans. Soccer-ABC premier league results Accra, March 12, GNA- Results of the first week matches of the ABC premier league played on Sunday.

Accra: Olympic...One (1) Goldfields...Three (3)
Nkawkaw: Okwawu ....Two (2) B.A. United.....Nil (0)
Dawu: Dawu.....Nil (0) Power...Nil (0)
Tamale: RTU...Nil (0) Hearts...One (1)
Kumasi: Kotoko...One (1) Ghapoha...(Two) 2
Sunyani: Bofoakwa...One (1) Dwarfs....One (1)


Played on Saturday: Accra: Liberty.... One (1) King Faisal...Nil (0)