10-man Hearts halt Accra Lions
Accra Hearts of Oak yesterday ended the five-game unbeaten run of league leaders, Accra Lions with a 3-1 win in their betPawa Ghana Premier League mid-week seven clash at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Hearts took the lead in the 22nd minute through Gladson Awako followed by second half goals from Salifu Ibrahim and Benjamin Yorke.
Seidu Sadat gave Lions a consolation goal in the 80th minute.
It was the third triumph for Serbian gaffer Slavko Matic in his first four games.
The other ended in a draw.
Blessing Boateng’s set piece in the 12th minute nearly gave the visitors’ a nightmare as the leaders started the game on an aggressive note.
But Hearts showed their character by controlling the game before fetching the opener in the 23rd minute through Awako with his weaker foot.
Sadly, he incurred the wrath of the referee, Emmanuel Otoo, who expelled him for dissent few minutes later.
But Hearts, with the numerical disadvantage, managed to score in the 42nd minute through Eric Esso but his header was disallowed by the referee.
Three minutes later, Salifu Ibrahim converted from the spot to make it 2-0 for Hearts after Benjamin Yorke was impeded in the penalty area.
Hearts brought on Suraj Seidu and Isaac Mensah for Baafi Amankwah and Salifu Ibrahim to strengthen the midfield.
Seidu Bassit pulled a late goal to make it 2-1 but Benjamin Yorke scored a third goal to kill any chance of a fight-back from the league leaders.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
