All Stars add to Hearts woes

Accra, Oct. 24, GNA – Wa All Stars added to the woes of Hearts of Oak after beating them 2-1 in their week four 2012/2013 Premier League encounter on Wednesday at the Accra Sports Stadium.    A goal each in the second half from Joshua Otoo and Hafiz Adams gave the visitors a two-goal lead before defender Godwin Osei Bonsu grabbed a consolation for the visitors in closing stages but it was not enough to save the Phobians from a second successive defeat in the four-week old premiership.   Hearts displayed an ordinary output with matters made worse by their leaking midfield which made the absence of hardworking Moro Abubakar heavily felt.   Goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy made his first start of the season after former national number one, Sammy Adjei was left out of the team due to a string of poor performances in previous games.   But this match is one that McCarthy would easily like to forget as his inability to save long balls was yet again put to test.   Hearts started well but lacked the cutting edge to break through an All Stars defence which revolved around Adams, Otoo, Joshua Tijani and Richard Akrofi.   With no clear cut chance at goal, All Stars goalie Robert Dabuo was to his side’s rescue with a superb save from a goalmouth scramble.   The visitors soon discovered their feet and lone striker Prince Papa Arko gave the Phobians defence so much to worry about.   The closest Hearts came was on 36 minutes when a head flick from Mahatma Otoo from Emmanuel Ansong’s cross was no problem for Dabuo.   Three minutes into the second half, Otoo scored the opener with a shot from a corner kick that bounced off McCarthy into the yawning net.   The visitors remained in control and on the hour mark doubled the lead from a well-rehearsed move involving Seidu Zidah, Papa Arko and Adams. Sidah trapped a long ball, fetched Papa Arko, who laid to Hafiz and the latter delivered a deceptive volley which went into the net with McCarthy completely beaten.   On 71 minutes, Hearts of Oak were rewarded a penalty after Ashitey Olenu was fouled by Akrofi, from which Osei Bonsu converted the spot kick.   Hearts piled more pressure in their quest for the equalizer, but Dabuo denied them the equalizer after he palmed away Ansong’s pointblank shot to land his side their first away win of the season. GNA  ... Read Full Story