Schalke 04 and All Blacks qualify for middle league

Cape Coast, Mar.1, GNA - Abura Odonase Schalke 04 booked their ticket for the Central Regional second division middle league when they thrashed Mankessim Borbor Mfantse 4-0 in their sub - middle league match played at the Cape Coast sports stadium on Saturday.

Schalke 04 who now top the group two-league table with six points will honour their next match as a mere formality against Elmina Coconut Grove Sharks who are lying second on the league table with four points. Playing under the instruction of Swedru based class-one referee, Paul Afalandek, Schalke 04 started the game on a fast note beaming with confidence and banged in two quick goals before the half time mark. Outside right, Emmanuel Larbi scored the opener in the 18th minute while centre half, Mohammed Polo increased his side's score' when he converted a penalty kick to raise his sides tally to 2-0 in the 45th minute.

Borbor Mfantse played a more purposeful game in the second half as they matched their opponents boot for boot and twice came close to scoring but poor shooting up front denied them any goals.

From the 55th minute onwards, Schalke 04 forced the tide in their favour as they again launched series of attacks in their opponents' vital area and in the process banged in two more goals through substitute Michael Gyimah in the 60th minute and centre forward, Adu Gyamfi in the 76th minute.

In another qualifying match, a 75th minute goal scored by Philip Boampong enabled Agona Swedru All Blacks to beat Kasoa Bago FC 1-0 on Sunday to also qualify for the Central Regional division two middle league.

In an action packed and crucial match officiated by class one Referee, Joseph Dawson Ahmoah, both sides started the match with great determination but it was Bago FC who dominated the greater part of the first half but failed to utilise the chances that came their way.

In the 35th minute, All Blacks who were determined to qualify for the middle league forced the tide in their favour and pinned their opponents into their own half with bombardments from all angles but Bago's able defence worked overtime to prevent any mishap. The second half saw both teams struggling hard to carry the day as the ball was swung from one to the other in a ding - dong affair until All Blacks midfielder, Boampong, broke the deadlock with a header. Bago returned the attack and made frantic efforts to equalise but try as they did they could not find the net until full time.

Immediately the referee whistled for the end of proceedings, executives and players of Bago FC who felt they have been robbed attempted to attack him but the peace officers ensured that he was protected and quickly escorted to the dressing room. 1 Mar. 04