Don Bortey wins day for Hearts against Kotoko

Kumasi, Aug. 30, GNA - A lone goal scored by Bernard Don Bortey in the 10th minute was all that Accra Hearts of Oak needed to beat arch rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the this year's second match of the GHALCA/MTN Top 4 tournament at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.

The goal came from a free kick which was expertly taken by Don Bortey after Louis Quainoo had whacked down Douglas Nkrumah just outside the penalty box and the back-to-battan, Bortey made no mistake when he delivered a curling kick to hit the net with goalkeeper Isaac Amoako sprawling.

Kotoko who lost their first match 1-2 to city rivals King Faisal at the same venue in the on-going tournament last Wednesday tried to make amends but failed to tame the Phobians.

It was a match Hearts deserved to win especially with their work rate even though it was Kotoko who started the match on a serious note when they tormented the defence of Hearts within the first eight minutes but could not find the net with Alex Asamoah and new found Samad Oppong leading the attack.

Hearts took over affairs and nearly scored with danger man Don Bortey wasting two chances until he hit the net in the 10th minute.

Kotoko accepted the challenge after the goal and came close to equalizing but Haruna Ganiyu shot in the 23rd minute went wide while Francis Coffie also squandered another opportunity two minutes later.

Hearts Ishmael Aryee was flashed the yellow card by Referee Samuel Gyasi of Nsawam for rough play in the 39th minute.

Kotoko came back strongly after recess and made series of forays but the defence of Hearts stood gallantly to prevent any attempt at goal.

As the game progressed, Kotoko sensing danger brought in Edward Affum for Haruna Ganiyu in the 60th minute but it was still Hearts who continued to dominate the game with skilful and accurate passes with Don Bortey who was on top of his acts on day wasting another chance in the 62nd minute.

Kotoko's head coach Herbert Addo introduced Stephen Oduro for Jordan Opoku in the 74th minute while Hearts also brought on Abdulai Hamza for Samuel Affum in the 76th minute.

With their pride at stake, Kotoko made several attempts to level up the scores as they exhausted their substitution with Francis Akwaffo replacing Louis Quianoo in the 80th minute but still failed to find the equalizer till the final whistle.

GNA