Hearts Cut To Size

Accra Hearts of Oak Sunday thrilled their fans as they walloped second tier side, Elmina Sharks 4-1 to progress to the 1/8th stage of the MTN FA Cup.

Goals from skipper Osei Bonsu, Ollenu Ashitey, Mahatma Otoo and Uriah Asante in the first half was what Hearts needed to stamp their authority over PPP presidential candidate, Paa Kwesi Nduom’s club who occupy the fourth position of the Zone 2B league table.

Laryea Kingston who returned to his side after serving a three-match ban added the needed urgency to the Hearts midfield and they were able to push Mahatma Otoo and Uriah Asante to torment the Sharks defence.

When Ashitey doubled the lead for Hearts, the fans went wild only for Sharks to silence them moments later with a great goal as Fumado Asiwome who had probed the Hearts goals area all day, found the net when as he rifled past Sammy Adjei.

Hearts, angered by that goal fought hard in search of more gaols. Mahatma found the net after he controlled an aerial ball and displaced Bonney, but referee Vincent Otoo disallowed the ball and booked the player for hand ball.

Mahatma was on target again after Kingston’s freekick beat goalkeeper Bonney, but deflect off the sheen of Otoo into the net.

Uriah added to the tally with a half volley that displaced the goalkeeper into the roof of the net before recess.

Kofi Abanga who came on for Kingston immediately announced his presence when he was set up by Otoo but his shot flew over the crossbar. Before his introduction however, coach Akonnor replaced injured Moro Abubakar with Tetteh Nortey and Uriah with Isaac Ofori.