Liberty Humble Ashgold

A breathtaking second-half display yesterday broke down a resilient Ashantigold and earned Liberty Professionals a deserved 2-0 home victory in their league clash at the Carl Reindorf Park at Dansoman. Two goals by Yaw Antwi and Ashmond Asamoah within a 12-minute spell wrapped up the three points at stake after Liberty unleashed a torrent of attacking football on the ‘Aboakese’ lads, with teenage sensation Latif Salifu at the centre of the demolition act. The Obuasi-based team matched the home side boot for boot in a tight first-half display characterised by combative midfield exchanges, strong defending and sporadic offensive raids by opposing attackers. There was very little to choose between either side in the first half as hard-working Ashantigold midfielder Wakasu Mubarak and James Tagoe was met by combative Skipper Daniel Yeboah and offensive midfielder Mustafa Essuman in a playmaking role. Liberty centre-back Bawa Mumuni played sheriff on Ashgold’s dangerman Alex Asamoah and managed to reduce the striker’s threat, except in a few instances where the pacey Asamoah managed to slip behind his markers and came close to scoring. The home team left it late in the first half and put Ashantigold’s goalmouth under siege in the 40th minute, but at that crucial moment Fatau Dauda established his credentials as the nation’s third best goalie after making two point-blank saves to punch away Antwi’s 10-yard shot. However, the tide swung in favour of the ‘Scientific Soccer’ who returned from recess with renewed energy and took the game to their opponents. Liberty attacked in droves from deep midfield and from the wings, each time meeting a resilient Ashgold defence and an agile goalkeeper Dauda. By the 55th minute, Liberty had signalled their intent with right back Emmanuel Osei latching on to a pass by Yeboah, moving deep in the opponents’ penalty box but narrowly missing the target with a powerful shot. Liberty, who looked sharper and more organised in the match, wore on until a howler by Ashgold centre-back Issahaku Zakari, whose backpass meant for his goalie fell into the path of Antwi to tap in the opening goal in the 68th minute. In spite of his small physique, Latif was a clear and present danger in attack and gave his markers a lot of trouble. He nearly increased the tally a minute later but for Dauda’s timely intervention. However, Dauda could not save the situation 10 minutes to time after Latif set up Asamoah to score Liberty’s second goal after Ashantigold’s defenders were caught pants down during a counter-attack initiated from the left.