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| Areeba Hockey League |
1/16/2006 |
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Areeba Hockey League
Marine Sticks Breath Easy as First League Title Stares Them in the Face:
Marine Sticks of Ghana Armed Forces put up a spirited second half performance to snatch a valuable point from a very difficult game against Ghana Hockey powerhouse Exchequers of Bank of Ghana in the penultimate round of matches in the Areeba Hockey League. By this feat, the Men of the Ghana Armed Forces set their sights on their first ever league championship since re-joining the Hockey League.
The Mariners knew before the game that this would be a crucial encounter as a win for the Central Bankers and a win for Golden Sticks of Commercial Bank would put enormous pressure on them on the final day on competition. A win for Exchequers would have brought them within 2 points of the leaders and a shot at the ultimate prize on the final day of competition. Inspired by this knowledge, the Central bankers came into the match with a positive attitude and the will to re-emphasise their pedigree as a championship thoroughbred. Marine reeled under great pressure in the initial stages of the match but kept their composure to sustain the Exchequers attack. For once, the typical Marine counter-attacking style gave way to a massive deployment of men in defence and midfield to hold the Bankers at bay. Tried as the Mariners did, the Bankers threw everything at them and managed to break the deadlock in the 14th minute. A skirmish in the midfield released young striker Leslie Barnor who raced towards the Marine goal, dummied on-rushing goalie Taylor in the circle and flicked the ball over him into the net. Marine threw everything into the game but were held in check till the end of the first half.
The second half was a different story as the Mariners launched a series of attacks in a bid to salvage their championship ambitions. They dominated the midfield and kept probing for goal. They didn’t have to wait for long as 10 minutes into the half, a swift move from the right side of attack found international star David Ghablah eluded the central defence of the Bankers to finish off with a terrific backhand stroke for the equalizer. The stage was then set for a pulsating finish and the two teams did not disappoint the followers of the game with some sweet and fast hockey. Both teams held their defence together till the hooter sounded for the end of the match.
In the other matches, Golden Sticks of Ghana Commercial Bank recovered from their last week slumber with an emphatic 7-0 win over whipping boys Police. National star Elikem Akaba got a hat-trick (43rd, 59th & 60th) while Joseph Appiah (10th & 11th) and Isaac Coffie (18th & 69th) completed the thrashing with 2 goals apiece. The win takes them within 3 points of the Areeba title and a mathematical chance of wrestling the crown should Marine falter on the final day of competition. CEPS also saw-off the challenge of Reformers of Prisons with a 2-0 win. There were no league matches in the Seniors and Women’s categories as final round of matches were played last week. In a friendly however, uncrowned Areeba Senior League champion, Multistix were humiliated 4-0 by NDK Financiers while Citizens and Vets drew.
No Team P W D L G/F G/A Pts 1 Marine 11 8 2 1 28 11 26 2 G Sticks 11 7 2 2 26 9 23 3 CEPS 12 6 3 3 24 11 21 4 Chequers 11 6 3 2 21 9 21 5 Trustees 11 3 3 5 26 22 12 6 Reformers11 2 1 8 13 24 7 7 Police 11 0 0 11 1 53 0
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