Mobitel Knockout Semi-Finals: Exchequers Stun Trustees

Runaway league leaders edged closer to the double for the 2003 hockey season when they stunned Hockey “Real Madrid”, Trustees of SSNIT with a clinical 2-1 win in a game that was full of drama.

After a scoreless first half, Trustees dominated the exchanges and shot ahead in the 44th minute through Daniel Lamptey who had the easiest task of guiding the ball into an empty Exchequers goal from a penalty corner. The goal was greeted with a thunderous cheer that rocked the very foundation of the hockey pitch.

Exchequers were ruffled by the goal but technical guidance from their bench calmed their nerves. The Central Bankers managed to maintain their composure and fought for every ball in midfield. In the 54th minute, defender Aziz Adimah sneaked behind the Trustees defense during a penalty corner to flick the ball over goalie Adolf Adjei for the equalizer.

Trustees were visibly shaken and ended up surrendering every ball to their opponents in midfield. Exchequers seized the opportunity and piled up the pressure in search of a winner. Indeed, they clinched the game 8 minutes from the end when Alfred Armah slammed the backboard from a well-executed penalty corner. Exchequers celebrated their 2nd win in 3 matches this season and look forward to a clash in the grand finale with old rivals CEPS who silenced NDK Financiers 2-1 in a very competitive game. The finals will be staged in a couple of weeks.

In the women’s division, Extinguishers of Fire Service mauled Police 7-1 in a one sided game while CEPS bowed 1-2 to Reformers to set up another cliff hanger and a repeat of the SESSA Games gold medal decider.