The entertaining ongoing Sapholda Hockey League which entered week 5 saw a 5-0 thrashing of Reformers by Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Men at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
The penultimate match of the week started with an intense pressure from Reformers who were looking for their first 3 points. Just before the first quarter ended, GRA scored through a penalty corner from the stick of Luke Kofi Damalie.
Reformer, not giving up, kept on knocking the doors for an equalizer just when the second quarter began but for some brilliant saves by Daniel Agyei Ntiamoah. GRA got their cushion, utilizing their second chance through Kwasi Assah Anim, 2 minutes before half time.
3 minutes into the 3rd quarter and after Reformers had changed goalkeeper, Peter Abo Mantey scored through a penalty corner to take GRA’s lead to 3-0. The fourth and final quarter produced 2 more goals. Ernest Kofi Obeng Opoku scored the 4th goal on the 51’, before Captain Kwasi Assah Anim got his brace on the 56’. Upon a counter-attack, Assah brilliantly beat 2 defenders, dribbled the goalkeeper and slotted into the top corner of the post from an acute angle.
While the win leaves Reformers still bottom with no point, GRA maintained their top spot with 9 points, having gone unbeaten in 3 matches.
The final match of the day was as tensed as the previous, as Police failed to utilize several Penalty Corner chances in the embers of their 2-1 loss to Exchequers. Exchequers grabbed a quick goal in the first quarter right from kick off from the stick of Benjamin Kwofie. On the 5’, Exchequers doubled their lead through a penalty corner scored by Kofi Okyere Quagraine.
After a barren 2nd quarter, Police fought to find their rhythm, and 2 into the 3rd quarter, they pulled one back with the stick of Abubakar Osman through a penalty corner. More penalty corners came for Police in the 3rd quarter, 4 at a go but they could not arrest the cedi. Police lost for the first time this season and have been leapfrogged by Exchequers to 3rd, while both are on 6 points apiece.
The 3rd men league match but the first to be played on Saturday, saw Army cruise to an entertaining 4-3 win over Arkmen. Army clinched their first win out of 3 matches this season and will now sit 4th with 3 points.
With final minutes approaching and scores standing at 3-3, Army fought well and scored their 4th goal to seal their first very important victory over a strong Arkmen team.
In the Masters league, Sapholda bounced back to winning ways in their 1-0 game against Citizens International. A second quarter penalty goal scored by Samuel Marfo, was the solitary goal that kept Sapholda 2nd on their table with 6 points after 3 matches, while Citizens remain 3rd with 3 points. The last 2 quarters saw Citizens mount pressure on Sapholda but only cem close with their chances created.
Multi-Stix had no mercy on bottom side Financiers in their 3-0 win. There were too many sticks from Multi-Stix which Financiers could not buy. Within 7 minutes, Multi-Stix had scored 3 goals, with the second through a penalty corner scored by Yoofi Arthur. The win keeps Multi-Stix top with 7 points.
The day was brightened with a development game where, University of Ghana, Legon girls beat Ark Girls by 1-0. After a goal scored was disallowed in the first quarter, the UG girls strike again and soaked the pressure by the academy girls, who pushed for an equalizer.
UG were now playing on the counter attack, as they battled for the ball in defense but for more infringements for Ark girls.
It is time for the Ladies to battle for Supremacy, come Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
