Substitute Gladson Awako registered his debut goal for Hearts of Oak to hand them their first win of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season over Elmina Sharks on Wednesday afternoon
Hearts of Oak managed to inflict a painful 1-0 home defeat on Elmina Sharks in their match-week eight of the Ghana Premier League at the Nduom Sports Stadium in Elmina.
The two teams ended the thrilling game with ten minutes after Suraj Ibrahim of Elmina Sharks and Ibrahim Salifu of Hearts of Oak were sent off for horrible tackles in the second half.
The fixture looked balanced in the first department as both sides possessed the ball in the middle with few chances created.
Elmina Sharks had early incursions but the back line of Hearts of Oak dealt with every inroads to prevent them from causing any havoc in the first five minutes of the game
Newly-signed Enoch Agblenyo nearly gave Elmina Sharks the opener with a cool finish but his effort missed the post on the 8th minute.
Hearts of Oak gained possession to dominate the game with most of their attacks from the flanks as William Dankyi delivered a low cross but there was no members from his side to connect it into the net of goalkeeper Lord Bawa.
Goalkeeper Richard Attah made a magnificent save to deny Samuel Arthur from scoring via a free-kick on the stroke of halftime.
Both sides could be found guilty for failing to make the few chances created count as the first half ended in a scoreless draw.
Back from the break, Hearts of Oak looked more promising than the homesters which their tactical substitutions of Gladson Awako, Kofi Kordzi earned them the match-winner.
Elmina Sharks had an opportunity in the early minutes of the second half but Enoch Agblenyo once again failed to make it count on 58th minute.
On the 72th minute, Gladson Awako who was making his debut for the Phobians needed just seven minutes to register the opener which eventually secured them all the points.
Elmina Sharks tried with several fearsome attacks but it all proved to be futile as the match ended in a 1-0 win for Hearts of Oak.
Elmina Sharks are currently sitting above the relegation zone with seven points while Hearts of Oak remains in the drop zone with three outstanding matches.