Sports News of Sunday, 27 October 2013

Source: GNA

GPL: Lions devour Kotoko

Heart of Lions handed Kotoko their second defeat of the season with a sensational 2-0 win when both clashed at the Kpando Park in the week nine Premier League meeting on Sunday.

Lions, celebrating a decade in the elite division proved superior the entire duration as they easily stifled Kotoko who still stay atop the log despite the loss.

Isaac Osae got Lions ahead in 16 minutes, connecting beautifully a flick on from Edmund Owusu Ansah deep in the middle with goalkeeper Isaac Amoako lost.

Once the game was restarted, Lions were unlucky to have missed an opportunity to double the advantage after Owusu Ansah's free header missed target narrowly.

Action quickly swung and Kotoko attacked. After invading the final third, the host were pushed to poorly defend a long lob and while at it, Issah Yakubu had an opportunity to pull parity, but his poor effort left their host off the hook.

Kotoko was to be punished soon after Abieku Ainooson made a meal of marking Osea, who had the better of a run to strike feebly at goal. As Amoako dived to meet the danger, Idan Conney pounced to consolidate Lions lead.

With Owusu Ansah's quality written all over the two goals, the former Kotoko captain pieced together his midfield well, drawing rings around the visitor's middle force built around Jordan Opoku, Michael Akuffu and Yayaya Mohammed.

Kotoko attempted to step on their display from recess and Lions' goalkeeper Mozart Adjetey timed well to deny Mohammed from finding the back of the net from a close rang and a half volley delivery moments on.

Sam Yeboah proved trouble for Kotoko's back line with cutting in moves that kept Amoako very busy. In one of the various moves, the goalkeeper needed to stay smart at timing and movement to deny the winners another goal.

Abdul Aziz could have pulled a goal back for Kotoko after comfortably beating an offside trap and advancing goalkeeper Adjetey in the process, only to agonisingly watch his final touch miss the back of the net narrowly.

Loins run back into the picture and at the thick of affairs was Owusu Ansah who picked out Yeboah deep into the final third.

The latter darted to hem one in for Osea who unleash a clever one that got Amoako rising to charge down the effort that went above the post by inches with 11 minutes to play.

Outdone and well beaten, Kotoko staged a late surge but Godfred Asante's late effort deflected off the post for Lions to clear with Adjetey completely beaten.

In the stands, the faithful supporters that throng the arena to support Lions celebrate a decade in the Premiership roar, chanted and made merry every step of the way.