FCPPL review: AshGold still top, Hearts back in relegation, Kotoko escape

Matchday 24 produced some interesting results as AshGold tripped, again. But Kotoko were relieved with a slim win as Berekum Chelsea missed the chance to go top of the league.

Here are the details.
Hasaacas 2-0 BA Utd
The Sekondi side beat bottom placed BA United 2-0 at the Essipong stadium.

Hasaacas who were beaten 2-0 by Inter Allies in midweek, were very much determined to keep their supporters happy with yet another win at home, and they did that in the second half of the game after a goalless first half.

Siba Adams opened the scoring in the 78th minute before Kojo Poku added the second in the 82nd minute to push the ‘Do Boys’ to the 7th position on the league table.

B.A. who played well, especially in the first half, were undone by the strikers on the day as they managed to create several chances but wasted all of them. B.A. United still remain at the bottom of the league table and destined for relegation with only 18 points.

Olympics 2-1 Medeama
The Wonder Club is still rooted on 15th on the league table despite win in Accra.

Olympics who had the full compliment of their playing body, drew first blood in the 17th minute through Kwame Boateng after an intelligent pass from captain Godwin Attram.

Nathaniel Asamoah equalized for Medeama in the 54th minute via a penalty after the ball struck the arm of a Great Olympics defender. It's his 16th goal of the season.

Oly managed to rally back to restore their one goal lead ten minute after and won a penalty which was expertly converted by Adom Ampofo in the 64th minute.

Medeama SC now lie 10th on the league table with 33 points with Olympics still rooted at the 15th position with six matches more to go.

Kotoko 1-0 AshGold
Asante Kotoko have moved out of the relegation zone after a vital 1-0 win over Ashantigold at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

The reigning champions found themselves at the 13th position after losing 1-0 to WAFA on Wednesday. And coming into Sunday's game the Porcupine Warriors were poised to beat the league leaders and move up the table.

Sarfo Gyamfi gave Kotoko the three points in the game after connecting Eric Donkor's pass into the net.

Ashantigold are however still on top of the First Capital Plus Premier League table though they just two points ahead of Berekum Chelsea. Kotoko on the other hand have moved to 11th on the league table.

In another match played at the Sekondi Stadium, Hasaacas brat bottom placed BA United 2-0 in the Match day 24 encounter. Siba Adams and Kojo Poku were the goal scorers for the home side.

Commentary came from Kofi Asare of Luv FM from the Baba Yara Stadium

Liberty 1-0 WAFA
Liberty Professionals were made to work hard by WAFA at the Dansoman Karl Reindorf Park as they beat the visitors by a lone goal.

Both sides are famed for slick passing games and the game was set up as a showdown between two rising midfield stars; Latif Blessing of Liberty and Ashimeru Majeed of WAFA.

WAFA took the game to Liberty from the onset and almost took the lead inside the first five minutes as Ashimeru combined with winger Mumuni Zakaria, whose shot beat Daniel Adjei in goal but not the side posts.

The visitors continued to take the game to Liberty who struggled to deal with the passing and movement of WAFA's midfield leading to Liberty adopting a physical approach to halt them.

Commentary came from Benedict Owusu at the Carl Reindorf Park

The tactics seemed to pay off as Liberty began to exert control of the game with midfield trio of Arkseon, Mends and Latif Blessing occupying the attention of WAFA's defenders. Ebo Mends almost found the opener for Liberty as his swirling volley hit the side post much to the relief of Annan in goal.

With the game finely balanced both coaches rang changes in search of goals with WAFA replacing Calib with Umar while Liberty brought on Felix Addo for the wasteful Baba.

With Liberty spurning chance after chance, it looked like both teams would split the points at stake until Felix Addo took advantage of hesitant defending to tap in for Liberty to claim their first win in 3 games.

Edubiase 2-1 Hearts
New Edubiase have beaten Hearts of Oak improve their standings on the First Capital Plus Premier League table.

Striker Nuhu Fuseini shot the home side into lead before Kenneth Okoro equalised for the Phobians in the match played at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Sunday .

After going into the first half break with a 1-1scoreline, Edubiase were the stronger when the game resumed. And after piling pressure on Hearts of Oak, midfielder Latif Anabila scored in the 73rd minute to give Edubiase the three points in the match.

The result could see Hearts of Oak heading closer to the relegation zone again after last week's 4-0 win over Heart Of Lions gave them a lift on the log. The Phobians will now face their arch rivals Asante Kotoko in A "Super Sunday" in a match that will be all important to both sides considering their positions on the League table.

In another Match day 24 game played on Friday afternoon, Bechem United defeated second placed Berekum Chelsea 2-1 to move to the 10th position.

Bechem Utd 2-1 Berekum Chelsea
Bechem United defeated Berekum Chelsea 2-1 in Week 24 of the Ghana Premier League on Friday at the Gyeabour Park. The two teams had previously met twice at the same venue, with both encounters resulting in draws.

Noah Maryey's ninth goal of the season thwarted Chelsea's giant stride towards winning the league.

Martey demonstrated during the game why he is a strong favourite to be crowned the young Player of the Year. His powerful strike handed Bechem an early lead after nine minutes despite an impressive showing from Chelsea.

United controlled much of the end of first half, with Yaw Arnol grabbing an opportunity to double his side's lead in the 44th minute, as the home side went for the break two goals ahead.

United goalkeeper Prince Asempa had a less busy day, as his teammates pushed forth to put the game to bed. However, Chelsea pounced on potholes left behind, with Kofi Owusu drifting deep to hit home his solo effort that reduced the score to 2-1.

Owusu took his season tally to 12 goals, four in three successive matches, closing the gap to three between him and top scorer Nathaniel Asamoah.

The victory moves Bechem United to ninth on the log with 32 points while Chelsea remain second with 39 points.

Aduana 1-0 Inter Allies
Striker Richard Arhin powered Aduana Stars to a narrow 1-0 victory over Inter Allies at the Nana Agyeman Badu Park in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Arhin fired Kwabena Ameyaw’s side into the lead with a neat finish exactly on the half-hour mark and they held onto it to seal the victory.

The result means Aduana have closed in on second-placed Berekum Chelsea by a point and also piled further pressure on leaders AshantiGold who slipped to defeat against Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Aduana went into the tie knowing they could brighten their chances of winning the league if they beat Allies and they put in a lot of determination despite Allies showing stiff aggression in defence and central midfield.

Isaac Amankwah was booked in the early minute of the tie but Issah Yakubu and former Portugal-based starlet Lord Ofosuhene both went into the referee’s book.

Lions 2-0 Wa All Stars
Heart of Lions decamped from the relegation zone after edging Wa All Stars 2-0 at the Kpando Park on Sunday afternoon.

Midfielder Prince Acquah struck the opener for the Giant Killers from the spot five minutes before the interval before Michael Annang cemented the points for host on the 50th minute mark.

The game once again highlighted Wa All Stars poor away record as they slipped to yet another defeat. It was good recovery victory for Lions who got battered 4-0 by Hearts of Oak in midweek at the Cape Coast.

All Stars remain safe on the table after despite the defeat as they sit sixth on the log with 35 points.

Details
Edubiase 2-1 Hearts (Nuhu Fuseini, Anabila Latif; Ken Okoro)

Bechem Utd 2-1 Berekum Chelsea (Noah Martey, Yaw Annoh; Kofi Owusu)

Liberty Professionals 1-0 WAFA (Latif Addo)
Olympics 2-1 Medeama (Kwame Boateng x2; Nathaniel Asamoah)

Hasaacas 2-0 BA Utd (Siba Adams, Kojo Poku)
Lions 2-0 Wa All Stars (Prince Acquah, pk, Michael Anang)

Aduana Stars 1-0 Inter-Allies (Richard Arhin)
Kotoko 1-0 AshGold (Sarfo Gyamfi)
Key points
- 9 goals scored on Sunday.
- 15 goals in total for the matchday.
- Aduana have conceded one goal at home all season
- No draw was recorded on matchday.
- Hasaacas' Kojo Poku scored the 410th goal of the league season.

The table

Match reports compiled from Ghana FA, All Sports and Ghanasoccernet. Follow Gary on Twitter: @garyalsmith. Get more updates on Facebook/Twitter with the #JoySports hashtag

Story by Ghana/Joy Sports/Gary Al-Smith