Lions thump Aduana Stars in Top Four match

Accra, Aug. 8, GNA - Defending Top Four champions, Kpando Heart of Lions thumped visiting Premier champions Dormaa Aduana Stars 3-1 in the last match of the first round of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) Top Four Tournament at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra on Sunday.

The victory of Lions thus enables them to occupy the summit of the tournament with five points with a superior goal advantage ahead of second placed Accra Hearts of Oak, who have the same point margin.

Lions showed early signs of picking the three maximum points at stake by making regular raids in the defence of Aduana Starsbut had strong resistance from the Premier League champions.

The first goal thus came during one of such raids that saw Gilbert Fiamenyo bullying his way into the defence of Aduana Starsas he went past Gabriel Opoku and keeper Stephen Adams to fetch the opener in the 22nd minute.

Aduana Stars should have equalized before the close of the first half, but they blew off their chances leaving Lions to go on recess with a one goal advantage.

It was however Lions who increased the tally in the 54th minute through a spot kick after Fiamenyo was brought down in the vital area by Opoku for the striker to make no mistake in ensuring a perfect conversion.

Two minute later Fiamenyo was presented with a God sent opportunity to seal victory for his side but to the surprise of the few soccer fans at the stadium, he shot over the bar and went ahead to miss another similar opportunity in the 70th minute.

With defeat staring at them, Aduana Stars lifted up their game and had a greater share of the last 20 minutes as they created several scoring chances but failed to convert any of them with Samuel Asiedu, Joe Bentil and Richard Addae fumbling on each occasion as they come close to scoring.

The visitors never relented in their search for a goal and succeeded in securing a consolation one in the 90th minute when Asiedu made amends by nodding home a cross over the Lions defence to reduce the goal tally.

Aduana Stars who were motivated by the goal piled more pressure on Lions hoping to make the best out of the three minutes of added time, only for Lions to put the game beyond them.

Lions took advantage of a drop ball situation and set up Sena Kofi Fiaboe who out-run the Aduana defence to lob the ball over keeper Adams for the third goal that eventually saw the end of proceedings by referee William Agbovi.