Resolute Tema Youth holds Hearts

Accra Hearts of Oak’s dream of catching up with rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the apex of the Premier League log suffered yet another jolt when they were held to a goalless draw by visiting Tema Youth in the Glo Premier League week 19 game played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The Phobians chasing their second win in four games in the second round, dominated play and created countless opportunities on a day they appeared ripped to bag all three points to keep their title chase within distance but failed when it mattered most.

Hearts had signaled their intentions early and turned the visitors’ area into a play ground, by the Tema Youth defence stayed resolute and dealt well with the homers threat with goalkeeper Kofi Mensah stealing the show with some eyes popping saves.

The Phobians attack, led by Mahatma Otto and supported by veteran Laryea Kingston and Douglas Nkrumah had asked the visitors defender many questions and when Kingston's incisive in-swinger sent the stadium chanting in 23 minutes, it was in anticipation of a goal during the 90 minutes plus duration.

Eight minutes on, Nkrumah was unlucky to have had his well-taken dead ball from 40 yards miss target narrowly to sum up the Phobians countless misses.

After that survival, the visitors turned defense into attack and soon, it was Hearts goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy who was called to duty when Francis Narh noticing the goalkeeper had moved off his line sent a lob which forced the former to backtrack to parry the goal bound ball to safety to leave the homers off the hook.

Two minutes on, Otto who missed from the spot after Moro Iddrisu had been brought flying later in the second half was unlucky to have had his drive deflect off the post to safety and to keep Tema Youth into the game.

Hearts quest was not helped even with Tema Youth playing with a man less after Jeremiah Aquah picked a second yellow card to exit the game.

Perhaps, the homers last opportunity to grab all points fell to Bobie Ansah whose powerful shot summed up goalkeeper Mensah’s impressive day when the latter dived to his elastic best to deny Hearts with three minutes to end the game.

The result now leaves Hearts nine points off the title chase after Kotoko won their game 2-0 against Wa All Stars at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi.