Exactly 14 years today Porcupine Warriors suffered their second worst defeat in the hand of their bitterest rivals in a league fixture.
Prior to the commencement of the top liner at Accra Sports Stadium, Kotoko refused to use an approved gate to the dressing room and when they finally did, the team, together with the club officials again refused to enter the dressing room for fear that their players could be hypnotised.
The visitors used the tartan track as their changing room while referee F. K. Mensah was also compelled to move unto the tracks for the inspection of the two teams. Seventh minutes after kick off, Taylor failed to open the scores for Hearts as he fumbled in front of goal after jittery goalkeeper George Owu failed to make a first time save from winger Don Bortey's shot at goal.
By the half hour mark, it was clear that the absence of Kotoko's two key players- defender Joe Hendricks who has been suspended by the club for indiscipline and first choice goalkeeper Osei who was surprisingly put on the bench- were being felt.
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Kotoko repulsed the earlier challenge by Hearts with a 19th minute goal but was disallowed because scorer Shilla Alhassan was ruled off side. That decision by referee F. K. Mensah did not go down well with the Kotoko Supporters who starting throwing missiles unto the tracks. Security personnel had to plead with the fans to keep their cool to avert yet another disaster.
Kotoko moved into the top gear after 30 minutes, dominating most of the exchanging and winning all the 50-50 balls. But just as they seemed to be finding their rhythm, ginger haired Bortey broke through an off side trap, place the ball unto the path of racing Taylor who slotted into the net for the opener in the 35th minute.
From that shocker, Hearts never looked back, as Bortey and "prodigal son" Emmanuel Osei Kuffour made it three before the break. Just like the first goal, Bortey beat the off side trap, raced with the ball into the "18", turned his marker inside out and unleashed a curler into the upper right corner of the net.
The stadium was set alight with Bortey's classic goal and the fans responded with a popular gospel song ".....do something new in my life." Osei Kuffour made it three with a deflected shot, which went off the body defender Dan Acquah on the 45th mark.
Kotoko mounted a second half attack as Hearts who look content with the goals were a pale shadow of themselves. Kotoko sent petit Stephen Oduro and defender Isaac Owusu for Abass Inusah and Joe Louis at the start of the second half. However, the excitement and tempo of the game slumped considerably with little incursions into the vital areas.
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Joe Sam gave Hearts goalie Sammy Adjei a wakeup call with a 35-mitre pile driver in the 49th minute but the national goalie expertly parried it over the bar. Kuffour should have made it four for Hearts, but he shot over the bar before a yawning net after goalkeeper Owu has pushed Taylor's shot unto his path.
It was the first time the two sides were playing at the Accra Sports Stadium after last year's May 9 disaster, which claimed at least 126 lives. Hearts are on 46 point while Kokoko are on 36.
