Legon Cities escape relegation with 3-2 victory
Legon Cities scored two early goals as they fought their way out of the relegation trap to survive the topflight league with a 3-2 victory over Samartex at the El-Wak Stadium yesterday.
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Goals from Abdul Rahman and Ebenezer Amagah in the third and seventh minutes respectively put Legon Cities ahead before Evans Osei Wusu reduced the deficit in the 34th minute from a powerful header to end the first half 2-1.
However, Michel Otoo restored the home side’s two-goal advantage 10 minutes before the end of regulation time, but Samartex did not give up the fight as Emmanuel Keyeke scored with just two minutes to full time to make it 3-2 in an end-to-end thriller.
The host’s intention was clear at the start of the game as they went straight into attack at the blast of the whistle, with Kofi Kordzi missing a goal scoring opportunity when he was put through with a long pass but failed to find the back of the net.
Legon Cities maintained their pressure on Samartax, and in the 3rd minute Osei Wusu set up Rahman in the box, and he controlled it before calmly planting it at the blind side of goalkeeper Kofi Baah.
Buoyed by the goal, Legon Cities kept the pressure, creating more chances but unable to score until the 7th minute when Samartex’s defence cheaply gave away the ball just at the edge of the box to Amagah who scored to increase their advantage.
After the second goal, Coach Maxwell Konadu's side felt too comfortable and allowed Samartex to dictate the pace and in their desperate attempt to defend, Legon Cities gave away two quick free kicks just outside the box, but goalkeeper Sylvester Sackey did well to save Emmanuel Keyeke's volley.
By the 25th minute, Legon Cities were under intense pressure as Samartex launched an attack from the right side with Gabriel Bonnah bursting from the flanks to set up Francis Gyetuah but his point-blank shot was saved by goalkeeper Sackey.
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Samartex’s pressure finally paid off in the 34th minute when Gyetuah who had made a brilliant run from the flanks located Osei Wusu to nod home, and a minute before recess Gyetuah's celebration was cut short when his goal was ruled offside much to the relief of Legon Cities.
Very few chances were created after recess as the game was concentrated in midfield except for occasional shorts from both sides that went wide as both teams played with caution.
But 10 minutes before regulation time, Legon Cities capitalised on a sloppy Samartex defence with substitute Alex Asso setting up Otoo inside the box to fire past a hapless goalkeeper Baah.
Just when Legon Cities thought they had secured the needed cushion, Keyeke came through with an individual brilliance when he beat three defenders to place the ball at the low left corner with just two minutes to regulation time.