Hearts sweat past Tema Youth

Accra, May 24, GNA - Accra Hearts of Oak bounced back to winning ways courtesy a 2-1 victory over Tema Youth in their Week 20 Premier League encounter at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra on Sunday. The victory, the first in four matches saw the Phobians' open a 10-point lead that keeps their League title ambitions on track. The clash will go down as one of the highly competitive this season as Tema Youth clearly gave the League leaders a good run for their money.

The only blemish in the action-packed clash was FIFA referee William Agbovi's "soft" stand after Hearts' offensive midfielder Obed Ansah stamped Tema Youth's Emmanuel Baffour on 54 minutes in the full glare of all.

Most of the fans were shocked to see Ansah in the game after the incident that warranted a dismissal; no wonder he was quickly replaced by Tawrick Djibril two minutes later after being shown the yellow card. The second half was characterised by rough play from the two sides that saw no less than six players attracting yellow cards for various offences.

Earlier, Francis Bossman gave Hearts the lead on five minutes when he fired home a low drive that beat Tema Youth goalie Patrick Antwi following the inaction of his defencemen.

The lead however did not last long when Youth's Baffour drew parity after heading home an Ekow Benson cross that caught Hearts goalie Philemon McCarthy off guard to the chagrin of the fans.

Seven minutes into the second half, Bossman struck what turned out to be the match winner after his effort deflected off a Tema Youth defender to zoom into the far corner of the net to amusement of all. The goal which could be described in local circles as a "Mallam Goal" stunned everyone as Bossman's shot which was bound off target suddenly found its way into the net.