Accra Hearts of Oak were frustrated once again at home as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Elmina Sharks.
The Match Week 12 encounter provided an opportunity for Hearts to lose the gap on the Top 4 but they failed to get the most out of the game.
In the first five minutes, the game was mostly concentrated in midfield as the two sides seek to settle.
Hearts worked an opening in the 14th minute as a good team move saw full back Ovouka send a low ball across the face of goal but there was no one to connect for the home side.
In the 25th minute the Elmina Sharks broke the hearts of home fans. The visitors take the lead via a corner taken from the right which found Dennis Mensah who fired home from just outside the box.
Hearts found the equalizer 13 minutes later with the goal coming from Kofi Kordzi. The on form striker headed home from a corner taken from the left to restore parity.
The first half ended in a stalemate.
After recess, the encounter got tighter as both teams were keen to hold on to what they had in the game.
In the 70th minute Emmnuel Nettey got close with an effort taken just outside the box. His shot however did not cause the away side any trouble.
Into the last five minutes of the game Hearts probed for the winner. Captain Fatawu Mohammed sent in a low cross from the right but the Sharks defense cleared to avert the danger.
The game ended 1-1 with both teams sharing the spoils.
Hearts of Oak’s Emmanuel Nettey emerged as Man of the match.
Hearts after the win are stuck on 9th having 17 points while Sharks occupy the 7th spot with 18 points.
HEARTS OF OAK XI
Richard Attah (GK), Abdul Fatawu Mohammed, Raddy Okemba, Benjamin Agyare, Mohammed Alhassan, Frederick Ansah Botchway, Benjamin Afutu Kotey, Emmanuel Nettey, Joseph Esso, Kofi Kordzi, Daniel Afriyie
SUBS ON BENCH
Richmond Ayi, William Dankyi, Robert Addo Sowah, Sumalia Ibrahim Larry, Aminu Alhassan, Nurudeen Abdul Aziz, Umar Abdul Manaf
ELMINA SHARKS XI
Martey Bawa Lord (GK), Dennis Mensah, Mustapha Alhaji, Samuel Arthur, Issaka Mohammed, Richard Mpong, Edmund Asiedu, Daniel Obeng, Benjamin Arthur, Bernard Boateng, Augustine Owusu
SUBS ON BENCH
Michael Blankson, Ishmael Hammond, Tahir A. Mensah, Emmanuel Addington Gustav, Benjamin Tweneboah, Isaac Donkor, Joy Asiwone Fumador
MATCH HAPPENINGS
29’ Yellow card to Edmund Asiedu of Sharks for a foul on Esso
50’ First substitution of the day as Richard Mpong goes off for Benjamin Tweneboah for Sharks
54′ Substitution for Sharks, Isaac Donkor on for Augustine Owusu
60′ Esso is replaced by William Dankyi as Coach Odoom makes our first change
89′ Yellow Card to Emmanuel Addington Gustav of Sharks
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium, Accra
Main Referee: Martins Akudzi, Assistant Referee 2: Courage Kuedufia, Fourth Official: Adaari Abdul-Latif
