10-man Legon Cities hold Hearts to draw
A 10-man Legon Cities side put up a resolute performance to hold Accra Hearts of Oak in a goalless Week 15 betPawa Ghana Premier League midweek fixture played at the Accra Sports Stadium, yesterday.
Despite playing most part of the second half with a man down, Legon Cities managed to share the spoils to leave their host frustrated as they needed a win to keep the pressure on league leaders Aduana Stars.
After a dull first half, Hearts returned to the second half fighting hard to turn things around.
Legon Cities made the job easier for the Phobians as Nii Gyashie Bortey Acquaye was sent off in the 49th minute for a reckless foul on debutant Clinton Appiah.
Hearts, however, failed to make their numerical advantage count.
Despite enjoying greater part of the exchanges, they failed to create decent chances.
Hearts went into the game beaming with confidence following their victory over Medeama last weekend as they took the game to Legon Cities, hoping to find an early goal.
New boy Linda Mtange went close in the 17th minute with a decent chance but failed to find the back of the net at close range.
Legon Cities, however, had the best chance of the half in the 31st minute with Michel Otou’s beautifully-struck free kick hitting the post to leave Hearts off the hook.
The visitors were very physical in midfield as Eric Osei Bonsu was nearly sent off in the 39th minute for his ‘kunfu’-style tackle on Eric Esso but referee Maxwell Hanson showed a yellow card.
Hearts fought hard to find a goal before recess with the last opportunity of the half falling for Linda at the edge of the box but his well taken free-kick unfortunately hit the post.
The second half began with Hearts benefitting from a free kick in the 49th but this time, Caleb Amankwah stepped up only to miss the target.
Hearts brought on Rashid Okine for Ouatching Yassan while Gideon Asante came in for Glid Otanga.
Coach Maxwell Konadu who has never lost to Hearts as a coach, also made few changes to match his opponents in the 53rd minute with Osman Amadu coming in for Meider Adu Kwabena while Nicholas Mensah stepped in for Samuel Armah.
Not too much chances were created in the second half despite the changes made though Hearts showed more determination to find a win.
The likes of Benjamin Yorke and Kwadwo Obeng Jnr managed to get into the box of Legon Cities but struggled to punish their opponents.
Obeng Jnr managed to find the back of the next in the dying minutes of the second half but was ruled offside, much to the disappointment of the desperate home fans.
