New boys Accra Lions put up a dominant display to thrash Accra Great Olympics 3-0 in their Week 15 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) fixture played at the Accra Sports Stadium, yesterday.
A goal from Abass Samari and Jacob Mensah’s brace gave the Lions the bragging rights over their city rivals who have been inconsistent this season, to walk away with all three points.
The emphatic victory also saw Accra Lions leapfrog Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko to occupy the third position on the league table.
The local derby started on a bright note especially for Olympics who built up play steadily into the area of their opponents and dominated the first 15 minutes.
Accra Lions gradually warmed themselves into the game after realising their guests could only pass the ball around without creating any danger.
The host then took over the game and rather began to create scoring chances which resulted in the first goal through Abass in the 27th minute with a superb strike.
Accra Lions then stamped their authority on the game and appeared determined to find another goal to take the game out of the reach of Olympics.
Their pressure paid off in the 41st minute when Mensah headed home a beautifully taken corner by Baba Apiiga to double the lead for the home side.
Olympics in a quest to avoid further embarrassment, decided to sit deep and defend while allowing Samuel Ashie Quaye to hit their opponents on the counter. The move was, however, unsuccessful as they failed to produce any good scoring opportunity till recess.
Accra Lions then came back strongly in the second half to continue the onslaught as Mensah scored his second of the afternoon in the 51st minute with a ‘sweet’ volley to put the game to bed.
The brace hero, however, did not end the game as expected as he was sent off in the 75th minute for a reckless tackle.
Lions immediately made some substitutions to cushion their goals as Kassim Osuman came on for Dominic Nsobila; Solomon Oppong was introduced in place of Daniel Awuni while Evans Ampofo came on for Frederick Kesse in the 80th minute.
The substitutions ensured they stopped Olympics from finding a consolation and possibly attempt to get back into the game in the dying minutes.
It was a well-deserved victory for the Lions who continued to put up some great performances since joining the elite competition
BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE
