Tema based Inter Allies suffered a second defeat in a row to Accra Hearts of Oak when they lost 2-0 to the Phobians in their eighth week Normalisation Committee Special Cup match played at the Tema Park yesterday.
A 22nd minute goal from club top scorer Joseph Esso and another by substitute Kofi Kordzi in the 75th minute silenced the Tema lads.
Inter Allies had approached the game with the intention of avenging a similar defeat in mid-week.
Head Coach of the side, Umit Turmus made four changes to the starting that saw Mohammed Fuseini, Abdul Rahman Ali and Mohammed Zakari coming into the starting team.
Hearts Coach Kim Grant also handed starting roles to goalkeeper Ernest Sowah, Daniel Kordie and Umar Manaf but Sowah lasted just 11 minutes on the pitch following a collision with an Inter Allies attacker.
Allies dictated the game but failed to create any decent chance.
In the 21st minute, Michelle Sarpong went past Gideon Attah Asoandzie before lobbing the ball over on-rushing goalkeeper Clement Aryee for Joseph Esso to poke home the opener.
The goal which came against the run of play did not deter the host from pressing for the equaliser as they regained possession and left the Phobians to chase shadows.
Back from the break, Coach Turmus threw on Nsungusi Effiong, Patrick Armah and Ben Quarcoo in search of the equaliser but their efforts left much to be desired.
Moments after his introduction, striker Kofi Kordzi received a pass from Sarpong and after going round his marker, blasted the ball past Aryee in post for Allies for the second goal of the game.
Hearts could have increased the tally but Kwadwo Obeng Jnr was woeful in front of goal as he wasted two glorious opportunities at the closing stages of the game.
Both teams ended the game with 10 men after referee Jones Abubiem gave matching off orders to Michelle Otu of Inter Allies and Aminu Mohammed of Hearts of Oak.
The defeat leaves Inter Allies firmly at the bottom of Premier zone B while the victors moved behind the leaders West Africa Football Academy who are of 16 points.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
