Premiership As It Happened

There was nothing missing on match-day-11 of the OneTouch Premier League as the clubs breezed life back into the premiership after a after a six-week break. Eighteen goals were scored at all the eight centres as six wins were recorded including an away victory and two drawn matches. Also two red cards were shown on match-day-11. As usual, the leaders, Asante Kotoko maintained their winning form at home with Great Olympics picking their second win in eleven games while defending champions, Hearts of Oak continue to lose sight of the teams at the top after losing away in Tamale. Asante Kotoko have opened a six-point lead at the summit of the league standings after beating Tema Youth 2-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium. The Porcupine Warriors ensured that the Tema-based side left the grounds defeated courtesy an 18th minute strike by the veteran, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour. The Reds captain turned villain as he was sent off in the second period of the match after elbowing an opponent, Louis Quainoo. Though reduced to ten men, Eric Bekoe hit his tenth goal in the league to make it 2-0 with less than ten minute to end the game. At the Golden City Park, Heart of Lions could not salvage a point after going down 2-0 to Berekum Arsenals. Arsenals took a 51st minute lead through Michael Owusu before Bright Nsiah doubled the lead for the Gunners, putting the game completely beyond the Lions who finished the game with ten men after Daniel Acquaye was sent off in the second half. Great Olympics made a winning start to their troubled campaign as coach Joe De Graft, making his league debut with the Wonder Boys guided them to a 2-1 win over his former side, Sekondi Hasaacas at the Ohene Djan Stadium. Despite winning, Great Olympics still cling onto bottom place. Francis Mantey put Olympics in the lead in the first half before substitute Nii Adjei doubled their lead in the second half 60th minute. Charles Nartey grabbed an 81st minute consolation for Hasaacas. However the story was much different for another capital club. Accra Hearts of Oak playing away to Real Tamale United at the Tamale Sports Stadium failed to shed off their losing run after a defeat in the continental campaign last weekend. The Phobians were handed a 2-0 defeat by the Pride of the North as Israeli manager, Eyal Lachman’s reign got off on a wrong footing. Kwami Abadja’s fierce freekick in the 10th minute and Kabiru Imoro’s 15th minute goal was enough to finish off the Phobians. In Wa, Liberty Professionals pipped home stars All Stars 1-0 to maintain their position at third place. AshantiGold recorded the highest score this weekend after thrashing Gamba All Blacks 4-0 at the Len Clay Stadium. Goals from Nathaniel Quaye in the first half before a second half romp from Emmanuel Adjetey and a brace by Alex Asamoah secured victory for the Miners. Zaytuna FC and Kessben FC shared the spoils at the El-Wak Stadium in a 1-1 drawn game. There was another drawn match at the Tema Park where Real Sportive and King Faisal played on the artificial pitch. Yakubu Abdulai opened the scoring for Sportive in the second half before substitute, Abedi Sarfo equalised for Faial from a freekick.