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Legon Cities hold Karela in Accra

Legon Cities and league leaders, Karela United played a goalless encounter in their match day 12 Ghana Premier League (GPL) mid-week encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium, yesterday.

The visitors showed eagerness to continue with their winning streak but a solid Legon Cities side that have recorded two straight wins in their previous games held their own to earn a point to boost their escape from the claws of relegation.

Though not an exciting afternoon for the few fans that attended the game, the hosts started the game the better side, at least in the first 10 minutes and tried to unsettle the visitors but failed to threaten them.

Within that period, Cities’ Michael Ampadu tried an effort from close range but on-loan Hearts goalkeeper Richard Baidoo pulled up a magnificent save to keep Karela in the game.

Few minutes later, the league’s top scorer Diawisie Taylor made his presence felt in the game, going close to getting the leader for Karela but the talisman failed to direct his header from Umar Bashiru’s cross.

In the 24th minute, referee Bismark Appiah waved off a penalty shout from the Legon Cities contingent after Karela’s Kwadwo Appiah was adjudged to have handled the ball in their goal area.

Karela improved their game and dominated the exchanges, piling pressure on the home team but stayed resolute and composed in defence to thwart Karela’s effort.

In the last minute of the additional three minutes, Jonah Attuquaye went through with a solo effort but his final delivery missed the target by inches to the relief of his markers.

Karela came back strongly after recess and carried the game to the host, making their first incursion into the Legon Cities goal area but a shot from former Kotoko midfielder, Umar Bashiru hit the side of the net.

Following that was a big chance for Jonah Attuquaye to make amends for Cities fans after a close first half miss but once again, that opportunity was wasted on the hour mark.

Karela United reorganized and went close again but Diawisie Taylor’s effort was saved by Vincent Adu Gyamfi before Legon Cities introduced fresh legs, bringing on Raphael Ocloo and Fadili Yusif for Baba Mahama and Nasiru Moro.

Karela performed same with the introduction of Darlington Appiah and Iddrisu Shaibu for Godfred Adotey and Richard Berko, respectively in the 80th minute.

Less than five minutes on, substitute Ocloo nearly won the game for Cities but a good shot from him was deflected to corner which was wasted.

BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY

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