Reigning Southern Zone champions, Hasaacas Ladies, suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Faith Ladies on match-day 9 of the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the Carl-Reindorf Park on Saturday.
A first half injury-time strike from Jennifer Kankam was enough for the home side to secure all the maximum points from the game.
It was the second defeat for the giants of the West, having succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Army Ladies on match-day 6 to end the first round.
Hasaacas Ladies gave the hosts a run for their money in the early minutes with the first effort at goal as early as the fifth minute.
Faith Ladies goalie, Mary Neequaye, pulled a decent save from Linda Eshun’s powerful shot before the final touch was cleared out of danger.
Both sides proved their worth and kept the dominance on a balanced level.
After 20 minutes of ferocious exchanges, Faith Ladies pounced on a loose ball from the left side of attack as a sweet Kamkam’s cross into the box was missed by Nyame Mafia whose header went just wide.
At this point, it was the home team who stepped up their effort and deservedly broke the deadlock before the stroke of first half.
Kamkam scored from a superb set piece outside the box right to give Faith Ladies a goal advantage.
Back from recess, Hasaacas came close to striking parity when Faustina Nyame Aidoo controlled nicely with a feeble pass to Doris
Boaduwaa but the forward missed narrowly inside the penalty box.
The Sekondi-based side almost drew level again, but Boaduwaa’s drive was blocked, and squandered from a free header.
Despite all their efforts to at least pick a point on away soil, it was Faith Ladies who held on to their lead to outstrip the reigning champions.
The victory sends Faith Ladies on the summit of the league log on 19 points, same as Hasaacas Ladies FC – but for a better head-to-head advantage.
In other results, Army Ladies won 2-0 against Police Ladies; Berry Ladies defeated Ridge City 4-1, while Essiam Socrates won 1-0 over Thunder Queens.
In the Northern Zone, Northen Ladies beat Pearl Ladies 4-0; Ampem Darkoa Ladies hammered Ashtown Ladies 4-0, while Lady Strikers won 3-2 against Soccer Intellectuals.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
