Bechem end Kotoko's unbeaten run

The Bechem Park proved to be the drowning ground of league leaders Kumasi Asante Kotoko as they lose by a lone goal to less fancied Bechem United on Sunday.

The hosts started the game strongly and mounted incessant pressure on the Porcupine Warriors defense with the central defensive pair of Abeiku Ainooson and Kwabena Edusei finding it difficult to contain the slippery Ayila Toufick.

Former Kotoko player Augustine Okrah combined effectively with Emmanuel Asante and Abdul Razak to earn a free-kick at the edge of the box in the 25th minute for Bechem United, but the resultant kick was agonizingly missed by Asante.

Kotoko began to warm themselves into the game and had their first chance in the 30th minute as Yahaya Mohammed disposed of his marker and delivered a well-taken cross from the right but keeper Ernest Adu was in hand to make a first time save.

Bechem United’s danger man Toufick Ayila went on a solo run in the Kotoko half beating three defenders but his final delivery was saved by goalkeeper Isaac Amoako. The league leaders could have opened the scoring in the 35th minute after Richard Mpong beat his marker and laid an incisive pass to Michael Akuffo but the Kotoko skipper’s drive from the edge of the box flew over the bar to the relief of goalkeeper Ernest Adu.

Striker Patrick Cole broke the dead lock in the 40th minute as keeper Amoako failed to grab an air ball, the former Berekum Arsenal player was lurking around the post and just headed the ball into the net.

The home side could have been up by three goals before the break but Ayila missed two clear chances.

Chances were far and few in the second half with each of the sides tightening up the midfield and defense but the introduction of striker Yussif Aziz for Jordan Opoku added some sharpness to the defending champions attack which lacked potency but goalkeeper Adu was in hand to make some world class save.

The Porcupine Warriors piled pressure on Bechem United in the final 10 minutes of the game but they could not equalise before referee Seidu Bomison blew his final whistle ending their six-week unbeaten run.

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