Reigning National Women’s League (NWL) champions, Ampem Darkoa Ladies began their campaign in the Normalisation Committee’s Special Women’s Competition on a positive note, posting a 2-1 win over Northern Ladies at the Valley View University Park in Techiman.
Northern Ladies, led by the 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner and skipper of the Black Maidens, Mukarama Abdulai, proved very stubborn on the day as they match their opponents boot for boot.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies had little to show regarding home advantage as the Northerners faced them squarely and were for some moments the better side.
A momentary loss of concentration at the rear gifted Black Queens and Black Princesses midfielder,
Grace Asantewaa a fine opportunity to put the host ahead in the 20th minute as she fired home from outside the goal area.
The Northerners accepted the challenge and improved but they struggled to find a way through.
Mavis Owusu had a fine opportunity to double the lead for the host in the 31st minute but over-elaborated and fluffed the chance.
The second goal was recorded in the 79th minute through Ophelia Amponsah who curled home a sublime free-kick from outside the box to cushion the home side.
Substitute Zeinab Haruna was introduced late on and managed to pull a goal back for the visitors as she shot past goalkeeper Esther Sarpong.
In Group D, Samaria Ladies Football Club inflicted a painful 2-1 away defeat on Immigration Ladies at the St. Thomas Aquinas Park on Sunday.
A brace from inspirational skipper Leticia Adjei in the 17th and 21st minutes put the visitors on top before a consolation goal from striker Faustina Kyeremeh reduced the deficit in the 57th minute.
Watched by a member of the Normalisation Committee, Madam Naa Odofoley Nortey, the game tested the strength of the two sides that fought hard for an early goal.
As early as the third-minute, goalkeeper Patricia Mantey was called into action to save a sticky situation after Adjei had gone past the defensive duo of Margaret Owusu and Abigail Kumi.
The opener arrived in the 11th minute when Adjei was put through by Comfort Forkuo and fired a shot past Mantey in the post for Immigration Ladies.
The visitors kept running at the host in search for more goals, Mantey had to make a double save to stop Deborah Opoku’s goal-bound strike.
Four minutes after the opener, Adjei struck again with a header.
Adjei and Opoku remained a constant threat to the Immigration defence with their characteristic surges and could have scored more goals.
Back from recess, the Immigration Ladies lifted up their play and scored pulled a goal back through Kyeremeh.
She had the chance to equalise for her side on the stroke of full time but she failed with the decision round an onrushing Simpson who stretched to pluck the ball off her feet.
At the Teshie MATS Park between Police Ladies and Halifax Ladies, saw a 15th-minute strike from the foot of Joanitta Aguadze to hand Police the maximum points.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
