GHALCA Top-Four final Match Report: AshGold 1-1 Hearts of Oak

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson
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Accra Hearts of Oak put up a spirited second-half display to hold AshantiGold to a pulsating 1-1 draw in the GHALCA Top-Four final first-leg clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday evening.

Herbert Addo's men fell behind to a Emmanuel Baffour 14th minute prolific finish but substitute Kwame Kizito (74) levelled for Hearts to deny AshGold victory.

It was a game that saw fans boo striker Gilbert Fiamenyo for his profligacy upfront with Kizito who replaced the former Heart of Lions man in the 62nd minute showed him how it should be done by volleying home the equaliser.

Hearts failed to find their rhythm in the opening half-hour with AshGold establishing a clear dominance and outplaying the former African champions though they had the best chance of the game in the early quarter.

Winger Winful Cobbinah rose meteorically through the Miners defense, skinned up and tossed an inviting pass to Fiamenyo but the former Ghana U20 man surprisingly missed the open net. The reaction from the Hearts dug-out was a mixture of disbelieve and disappointment while fans grieved over the miss.

The response from AshGold rapid and instant. Ivorian Didier Kore broke loose on the flanks, located Emmanuel Osei who laid a carpet pass for Baffour. The former Ghana Premier League Golden Shoe Winner calmly rolled the ball in an admirable composure.

AshGold continued to press and could have earned their second goal but Tetteh Luggard pulled two world-class stops to deny Osei and Baffour, leaving Miners manager Hayford reeling over their inabilities.

Hearts fans continued their torment of striker Fiamenyo who looked clueless in attack and chant for him to be replaced but Herbert Addo kept him on until the 62nd minute when he pulled him out for unused Kwame Kizito. A 19-year-old young attacking midfielder.

The introduction of the youngster meant a shift in system and the tiring Winful Cobbinah was also sacrificed for Paul Acquah in the 70th minute.

And, just four minutes later, the leveller arrived. Eric Kumi raced into the box, shot across goal, but Dabuo fisted to the waiting legs of Kizito and he was apt and alert to volley it home.

After the equaliser, Hearts turned the tables and piled more pressure on AshGold but they failed to find the net as Lawrence Lartey marshalled a strong AshGold defence.

The reverse fixture is fixed for next Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.