Hearts of Oak inflicted on Bechem United thier first defeat of the season as they run riot over the Hunters in a 4-0 win.
Hearts welcomed Bechem to the Accra Sports Stadium for their Ghana Premier League Match Week 7 encounter.
Prior to the game, Bechem who were table toppers had an unbeaten run (4 wins 2 draws) in their first 6 games of the season.
Hearts had been on and off and were less fancied to be the first side to hunt down the Hunters.
They were helped however by a numerical advantage as Bechem played close to 60 minutes of the game with 10 men.
Defender Emmanuel Asante was shown 2 yellow cards in quick succession (the second for dissent) in the first half and that hurt his side’s chances of a positive result.
The first half ended with Hearts on top but failing to convert any of their chances.
That meant the half ending in a goalless stalemate.
Back from recess, Hearts stepped up the pace and piled more pressure on Bechem.
They were rewarded with a goal inside 53 minutes courtesy the enterprising midfielder Abdul Manaf Umar.
Umar was not done yet and he will follow this up with two assists for Victor Aidoo who bagged a brace in 5 minutes (68th and 73rd minutes).
Aidoo was eventually substituted for Patrick Razak who added more firepower and pace into the game for the home side.
Hearts won a penalty which was converted by second half substitute Ansah Botchway to make it 4 nil.
Prince Adu Kwabena halved the deficit for the away side to make it 4-1 but any wild thoughts of a comeback was harshly dealt with, when midfielder Lawali Mamane made it 5 for the Phobians.
Hearts of Oak made sure they had the last say of the game when Benjamin Afutu scored to complete the scoreline.
It ended 6-1 advantage Hearts of Oak who now move to 2nd albeit momentarily, depending on how results elsewhere go.
Bechem despite the heavy loss remain at number 1 though their position is threatened depending on other results.
EVENTS IN THE GAME:
GOALS:
⚽Abdul Manaf Umar (Hearts) 53′
⚽ Victor Aidoo (Hearts) 69′
⚽ Victor Aidoo (Hearts) 73′
⚽ Ansah Botchway (Hearts) 85′ Pen.
⚽Prince Adu Kwabena (Bechem) 86′
⚽ Lawali Mamane (Hearts) 88′
⚽ Benjamin Afutu (Hearts) 90+3′
YELLOW CARDS:
Moro Salifu (Bechem) 1′
Francis Twene (Bechem) 14′
Manaf Umar (Hearts) 21′
Emmanuel Asante (Bechem) 38′
Emmanuel Asante (Bechem) 39′ (Red Card)
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Adamu Mohammed replaced Clinton Dudou (Bechem) 41′
Fred Ansah Botchway on for William Dankyi (Hearts) 46′
HEARTS OF OAK XI:
Richmond Ayi (GK), Fatawu Mohammed, Mohammed Alhassan (Cpt), Raddy Ovouka, Robert Addo Sowah, Abdul Aziz Nurudeen, Victor Aidoo, William Dankyi, Lawale Mamane, Abdul Manaf Umar, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh
RESERVES: Richard Attah, Patrick Razak, James Sewornu, Frederick Ansah Botchway, Nuru Sulley, Benjamin Afutu Kotey, Abednego Tetteh
BECHEM UNITED XI:
Prince Asempa (GK), Caleb Asamoah, Kofi Agbesimah, Clinton Dudou, Moro Salifu (Cpt), Emmanuel Asante, Charles Mensah, Boubacar Sidiki Doumbia, Hafiz Wontah Konkoni, Steven Owusu, Francis Twene
RESERVES:
Abdulai Idrissu, Foster Appiah, Abdul Karim, Emmanuel Owusu Boakye, Prince Adu Kwabena, Mohammed Adamu
REF: Abdul Latif Qadir
ASST 1: Stephen Balanguena
ASST 2: Freeman Anwulo
4th REF: Joshua Samadzi
MC: Jacob Amegatsey
