Hearts gun for double

From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi

ACCRA Hearts of Oak moved a step furtherer towards their ambition of winning the double this season when they pipped Alhaji Grunsah's King Faisal 2-1 in their ABC/F A Cup match played at the Kumasi Stadium yesterday.

Having escaped defeat by the same side at the same venue last Sunday in a league match, Hearts approached the game with all the determination required in such matches.Hearts started piling pressure on their opponents right from the blast of whistle, forcing veteran Sampson Appiah to make two brilliant saves in the first seven minutes.With Joseph Fameyeh, Emmanuel Adjogu, Kenneth Sarpong and Ishmael Addo attacking from all angles, the Phobians continued their onslaught but the defence of King Faisal stood the test.

However, the efforts of Hearts paid dividends when Joseph Fameyeh opened the scores in the 18th minute.

Hearts earned an infringement outside the box which was effectively taken by Dan Quaye. Sampson Appiah punched the ball into play and Fameyeh who was hovering around connected home the rebound.

King Faisal accepted the challenge and started putting their acts together and smatched the equaliser through Kwadwo Anane in the 26th minute.

He collected a loose ball mid-way in the Hearts goal area and rounded up two defenders before planting the ball at the far corner of the net for the much-needed equaliser.Faisal should have taken the lead in the 35th minute but a bullet delivered by Kwadwo Anane missed the post by inches, to the relief of Hearts.

Hearts scored their second goal against the run of play through man of the match Joseph Fameyeh in the 89th minute.

A defensive mix-up by Isaac Owusu of Faisal found Fameyeh deep in the box. He teased veteran Sampson Appiah before planting the ball in the net for the match winner.