"GPL Matchweek 17 Wrap: RTU holds Hearts to a barren draw; Kotoko tame Lions\u00a0"

" \n GPL Matchweek 17 Wrap: RTU holds Hearts to a barren draw; Kotoko tame Lions\u00a0 \n \n\n \n Champions Accra Hearts of Oak were held to a barren draw by Real Tamale United in the last round of matches for the first round of the Ghana Premier League 2021\/2022 season at the Tamale Sports Stadium. \n \n\n \n Coach Samuel Boadu gave a starting berth to Sulley Muntari, Dennis Korsah and Isaac Mensah in anticipation of a win to calm nerves ahead of the Super clash against rivals Asante Kotoko on Sunday. But the changes failed to produce the result as the game ended goalless. \n \n\n \n The Phobians were hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Great Olympics having dropped to the 7th spot in the course of the week but Hearts were reduced to 10-men in the 82nd minute after Caleb Amankwah was sent off following a second yellow card. \n \n\n \n Sulley Muntari\u2019s corner kick in the early stage of the game was adequately handled by RTU goalkeeper Yaw Osei as Hearts of Oak knocked off to an explosive start. \n \n\n \n Isaac Mensah had a brilliant chance to give his team the lead in the 12th minute but the forward missed the effort. Mensah was again put through by Daniel Barnieh but the speedster missed by a whisker in the 37th minute. \n \n\n \n Back from the break both teams struggled to create decent chances with Real Tamale United sitting back and playing from deep while Hearts committed men forward. \n \n\n \n Salim Adams came up with a trademark effort from the distance but his effort missed the post by inches in the 65th minute. Gladson Awako sent a delicious corner kick to Dennis Korsah on the edge of the box but the former Ebusua Dwarfs man shot wide. \n \n\n \n With the game heading to a close, Caleb Amankwah was sent off after going in with a two-footed tackle on Ronald Frimpong in the 83rd minute. \n \n\n \n Frederick Ansah Botchwey and Kofi Kordzie were introduced to add some attacking bite to the Hearts of Oak front line but that came to nought as the referee blew his whistle to ends the game. \n \n\n \n Earlier on Saturday, Asante Kotoko returned to winning ways as they beat Accra Lions 3-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium on Saturday. \n \n\n \n Franck Etouga Mbella opened the scoring for the leaders with a superb left footed goal from inside the box in the 4th minute mark as the Porcupine Warriors got off to a great start. \n \n\n \n The Cameroonian added the second goal from the spot in the 45th\u00a0minute. Kelvin Kyei reduced the deficit seconds before the half time whistle. Back from recess, the contest was closely contested until Etouga Mbella increased the tally in the 81st\u00a0minute to complete the job \u2013 a hat trick well deserved. \n \n\n \n Read: GPL: Real Tamale United hold Hearts of Oak to a barren draw at home\u00a0 \n \n\n \n Daniel Adjetey scored in the 90th minute to give Accra Great Olympics a 1-0 win over Elmina Sharks at the Accra Sports stadium. The game was heading to a draw until the lanky enforcer prodded home from close range. \n \n\n \n Mathew Kelvin Andoh dealt WAFA a huge blow in Sogakope as he scored in the 81st minute to give Karela United a 1-0 win against WAFA \u2013 bringing to an end an 8 match unbeaten run in the League. The Academy boys had not lost in the competition since December 26 when they fell to Asante Kotoko in Kumasi. \n \n\n \n Aduana Stars trash regional rivals Eleven Wonders to end first round in style \n \n\n \n Bright Adjei's blistering hat-trick in the space of 13 minutes ensured Aduana Stars got the better of their regional rivals Techiman Eleven Wonders as the first round of the Ghana Premier League came to an end. \n \n\n \n The skillful forward scored all the three goals in space of 13 minutes to end the game as a contest with just 23 minutes into the game. \n \n\n \n Having shot the host into a well deserved 1-0 lead on the 10th minute, Adjei doubled his personal tally with a powerful strike on the 20th minute to cap his strong start to the game. \n \n\n \n Already up by two goals just 20 minutes into the game, the mercurial forward added the third, completing his hat-trick Aduana Stars aimed for a vital win after a poor run of matches. \n \n\n \n Eleven Wonders couldn't keep up with the 'Ogya'boys as the remaining 75 minutes failed to produce a goal. \n \n\n \n After the hat-trick, Adjei is now behind Asante Kotoko's Frank Mbella Etouga who still leads the goal king chart with 11 goals from 12 appearances. \n \n\n \n The win means Aduana ends the first round in the top four while Wonders remain in the relegation zone. \n \n\n \n In Obuasi \u2013 Bibiani Gold Stars missed a penalty in the first half but battled to a 2-2 draw against AshantiGold SC at the Len Clay stadium. \n \n\n \n Steven Owusu Kaakyire missed from the spot on the half hour mark before Yaw Annor shot the Miners into the lead in the 34th minute after connecting a rebound after his spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Ernest Kussi. \n \n\n \n Bibiani Gold Stars drew level seven minutes after recess with Emmanuel Appau scoring from close range. AshantiGold restored their advantage in the 67th minute through Frank Akoto who headed home a cross from the right. But that goal wasn\u2019t enough to win the day as Prince Opoku Agyemang scored on his debut to snatch a late equalizer for the Bibiani lads. \n \n\n \n Bechem United rescued a point against Berekum Chelsea after Emmanuel Annor scored in the second half to claim a 1-1 draw against Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park, extending their unbeaten run to ten games. \n \n\n \n Berekum Chelsea opened the scoring in the 32nd minute through experienced marksman Kofi Owusu who had all the time in the world to turn and dribble pass the Bechem United defence before slotting home before Emmanuel Annor found the back of the net in the 75th minute to draw Bechem United level. \n \n\n \n The attacker soared above players of Berekum Chelsea before directing a delicious pass from Augustine Okrah into the bottom corner for the equalizer. \n \n\n \n The result keeps Bechem United in the second place with 29 points while Chelsea sits in 9th place with 21 points. \n \n\n \n The match between Medeama SC and Dreams FC was called off due to heavy downpour at the Akoon Park with the fixture rescheduled for Monday at 10am. \n \n\n \n Legon Cities will take on King Faisal at the El Wak Stadium on Monday to round up the first round of matches in the 2021\/2022 season. \n "

"GPL Matchweek 17 Wrap: RTU holds Hearts to a barren draw; Kotoko tame Lions\u00a0"

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