ASHGOLD SALVAGE A POINT

By Ebenezer Zor (Ezee)

Kore with others celebrating the goal

Mohammed Yakubu’s brace for AshGold secured a point in the match-day-two against Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the first round fixtures of the 2012/2013 Glo Premier League.

AshGold’s quest to win their first home match of the season was truncated as they again drew a pulsating 2-2 game against defending champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko at Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams entered the game with the intention of winning after being held to a drawn game in their first matches of the season by RTU and Amidaus Professionals.

A corner kick pass from Michael Helegbe to Yaw Frimpong cross, connected striker Kofi Nti Boakye who was totally unmarked by AshGold defence men got better of goalkeeper Isaac Ackong in the 15 minute to register the opener for the porcupine warriors, Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

AshGold, the miners were called to duty as they pushed more men forward to equalize but a 27 and 29  minutes  strikes from Micheal Ofosu Appiah and Ben Akuffo were denied by the cross bars ending the first half 1-0 in favour of the visitors Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

In the second department of the Ashanti duel both lifted their game but a defensive error in the 60 minute by Kotoko’s lateral defender Henry Ohene Brenya gifted away a chance for AshGold goal machine Yakubu Mohammed to pull a classical trigger pass goalkeeper Issac Amoako in poles for Kotoko for the equqlizer.

Kotoko within a minute fetched their second through Seidu Bansi  who connected a beautiful header from Ben Adama’s cross into the yawning net of AshGold in the 64 minute.

The match became keener contested as the two Ashanti teams inched to get the second goal for their respective sides. Micheal Akuffo could have increased the tally for the defending champions but kicked the ball straight into the waiting arms of Isaac Ackong.

As if it was over for the visitors. Surprisingly a sweet build by AshGold caught Kokoko’s defense in sixes and sevens for Yakubu Mohammed to hit his brace in the 80  minute for the Osono boys as they drew 2-2 for the second game running.

 SCORE AT GLANCE

VENUE                                    HOME TEAM      RESULTS        AWAY

 Accra -                                     Hearts of Oak    5    -----  2       Edubiase
 Tema -                                     Amidaus             2    -----  0      Liberty
Len Clay -                                Ashantigold        2    -----  2     Asante Kotoko
Kpando -                                  Lions                   2   -----   1    R. T. U    
Agyeman Badu                       Aduana               0   -----   0     Chelsea
Golden City Park -                 Arsenals              1   ------  1    All Stars
T & A Park -                  Medeama            1   ------  0    Dwarfs
Baba Yara -                            King Faisal          0  -------  1     Tema Youth

 GLO PREMIER LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER MATCH-DAY-TWO

Pos                                   P      W      D       L        GF      GA       GD       PTS  

1 Medeama SC                2       2        0        0        2          0          2           6

2 Hearts of Oak               2       1        1        0        6          3          3            4

3 Amidaus Profs.              2       1        1        0        2          0          2           4

4 Berekum Chelsea          2       1        1        0        2          0           2           4

5 Aduana Stars                2       1        1        0        2          1           1           4

6 Tema Youth                  2        1        1        0        2         1           1           4

7 Heart of Lions              2        1        0        1        2         3          -1           3

8 AshGold                      2        0        2        0         4         4           0           2

9 Kotoko                       2        0        2        0         2         2            0           2

10 Arsenals                    2        0        2        0        2          2            0           2      

11 RTU                          2        0        1        1        3          4           -1          1

12 Wa All Stars              2        0        1       1        2           3          -1           1

13 Dwarfs                      2        0        1        2        1          2           -1          1

14 Faisal                        2        0        1        1        1          2           -1          1

15 Liberty                      2        0        1        1        1          3           -2          1

16 Edubiase FC             2        0        0        2        2          7           -5          0