Hearts of Oak snapped a two-game winless run to beat Berekum Chelsea 3-1 in their 2022/23 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 17 fixture on Saturday.
A barren first half at the Accra Sports Stadium was highlighted by two crucial saves by the experienced Ernest Sowah in goal for the Bibires.
At the half-hour mark, Sowah quickly stepped out to intercept a dangerously threaded pass by Gladson Awako. This was two minutes after he had successfully parried an Awako one-time connection to a cross by Amankwah Baafi.
Hearts broke the deadlock eight minutes from time when Berekum Chelsea captain Zackaria Fuseini turned into his own net a cross by left-back Denis Korsah. The centre-back had stretched his leg to block the pass from reaching its target inside the 6-yard box.
Zakaria Fuseni's own goal@HeartsOfOakGH 1:0 @BerekumChelseaF
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— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) February 11, 2023
The lead became 2-0 in the 88th minute. Benjamin Yorke, having come off the bench earlier on, raced between two defenders and then beat the onrushing Sowah before planting into the empty net.
Benjamin Yorke makes it 2 for the #phobians@HeartsOfOakGH 2:0 @BerekumChelseaF
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— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) February 11, 2023
Substitute Pandrous Kusi pulled one back for the visitors in the 92nd minute after receiving a pass from Emmanuel Essien.
Pandrous managed to pull one back for Chelsea@HeartsOfOakGH 2:1 @BerekumChelseaF
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— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) February 11, 2023
But the Phobians ended the game 3-1 winners as striker Victor Aidoo connected to a cross at the near post from fellow substitute Clinton Appiah with a low header in the 94th minute.
Victor Aidoo 's winning goal for the #phobians@HeartsOfOakGH 3:1 @BerekumChelseaF
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— StarTimes Ghana (@startimesghana) February 11, 2023
Victory means Hearts of Oak finish the first round of the 2022/24 GPL with 28 points. Berekum Chelsea also have 22 points.
Hearts midfielder Eric Esso received the man-of-the-match award.
