Division One League Wrap: Hasaacas, Tema Youth fall as BYFA stops Samartex
In Zone One, rivalry was rekindled on Sunday when Hasaacas battled Ebusua Dwarfs at the Sekondi Gyandu Park in a Match Day seven fixture of the Division One League.
The two Ghanaian giants faced off against each other in a Zone Two tie that brought back nostalgic memories for fans of the two sides. Unlike Ebusua Dwarfs who got relegated only last season, Sekondi Hasaacas have been in the wilderness since 2016 and made huge efforts to return to top flight football last season but lost out Bibiani Gold Stars.
The Gyandu Park was set for a gargantuan contest on Sunday as only one point separated them – as Hasaacas had 10 points – one point richer than Ebusua Dwarfs who sat in 6th place in the League log.
Sekondi Hassacas paraded an experienced side that comprised of Ishawu Yahaya, Abeiku Ainooson, Eric Arthur and Frederick Quayeson but the gallant men from Cape Coast made life difficult for them despite dominating play in the entire period of the match.
Seidu Abdulai got the only goal of the match in the 44th minute to give Ebusua Dwarfs a precious win on the road against an old foe.
Elsewhere at Sameraboi – leaders Samartex 1996 were held at home by Bekwai Youth Football Academy in a 0-0 stalemate.
The home side who are still first in the Zone and dropped points for the first time of the season amassing 19 points having gone seven matches unbeaten – with 6 wins, one draw.
Prince Antwi, Richard Gyamfi and Frank Ansere who have been instrumental for the Sameraboi side struggled to find the back of the net on Sunday hence the draw against Bekwai Youth Football Academy.
Veteran midfielder Malick Akowuah scored in the 31st minute as second placed New Edubiase United defeated Basake Holy Stars 1-0 at the Nana Gyanfi Park at Bekwai on Saturday.
In Zone Two, Nkoranza Warriors had a day to forget as they were piped 1-0 by leaders Nsoatreman FC on Match Day seven of the Division One League.
Samuel Ofori scored the only goal of the match to give Nsoatreman all the spoils as they stretched their lead on the League log to 17 points after seven match days.
Nkoranza Warriors went into the game with 9 points – 5 points adrift of the leaders who hitherto had won 4 and drawn 2 in their first six matches of the season.
Nkoranza Warriors snatched a point from Berekum on Match Day 6 as they came from behind to draw 1-1 against Arsenal at the Golden City Park.
Earlier on Saturday, Young Apostles extend their unbeaten run to six matches but failed to grab all the points against Brong Ahafo United at the Coronation Park as they played out a 0-0 stalemate. The result leaves them in third place with 11 points – six points off the top.
In the Tamale derby – Dreams Tamale were condemned by Tamale City at the Aliu Mahama stadium as the newly promoted side suffered a 2-0 defeat at home.
Bismark Asare and Emmanuel scored for Tamale City to trake them to within a point from the top. Tamale City have amassed 16 points and sits 1 point behind leaders Nsoatreman FC.
Dreams Tamale have now gone four matches without a win despite starting the season in an explosive manner.
In Zone Three, Tema Youth SC lost the top spot after losing to Uncle T United 2-0 on Match Day seven of the Division One League on Sunday – bringing to an end a four match unbeaten run that dates back to November when they lost to Accra City Stars at home.
The Harbour Warriors fell to two second half goals to the Prampram based side on Sunday following a Felix Duah Doku brace in the 54th and 88th minutes of the match. Tema were flying high in the League and sat at the top of the table for four continues weeks before this weekend’s matches.
They held a 6 point advantage over their opponents heading into the tie on Sunday. The Zone’s top scorer Evans Osei Wusu and Stephen Appiah Asare who have 7 goals in between them failed to score this time leaving them empty handed at the end of 90 minutes.
Akyem Tafo Susubiribi moved to the first spot in the log with 16 points after demolishing Accra Young Wise 5-1 at Akyem Tafo. Striker Isaac Yeboah scored a hat-trick on the day before Richard Amon Kotey and Seth Kumah completed the rout.
Earlier on Saturday, Liberty Professionals fell to Akyem Kotoku Royals 2-1 at the Carl Reindorf Park. The former Premier League side were on a good run having turned their season around with back to back wins in their last two matches after drawing their first four matches of the season.
Kofi Stephen drew the first blood for Kotoku Royals in the 10th minute but that lead lasted for only 14 minutes as Liberty pulled parity in the 24th minute through Ibrahim Jabir.
The visitors scored the match winning goal in the second half through a brilliant effort from danger man Clement Awuonyo. The win takes Kotoku Royals to second place with 15 points – one adrift of the top spot and five points ahead of Liberty Professionals.
The match between Inter Allies and Accra City Stars ended 1-1 at the theatre of Dreams – Dawu on Friday.
