Accra Hearts of Oak’s title ambitions suffered another setback on Sunday when they were forced to settle for a point by visiting Bechem United.
Hearts would have been within five points of league leaders Medeama S.C. with a win, but failed to find their rhythm as they struggled to register a shot in the goalless draw.
The Phobians rested captains Benjamin Asare and Kelvin Osei Assibey, while Bechem United started long-serving Augustine Okrah but rested Yaw Annor.
Within minutes of kick off, the visitors went close when Emmanuel Abban’s overhead missed the bar by inches.
He reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box after Augustine Okrah’s cross.
Ten minutes later, Bechem threatened again when Emmanuel Sefah found space in the middle of the Hearts set up. He dribbled his way past Abdul Karim and Raphael Amponsah but his speculative effort flew harmlessly over the bar.
Hearts warmed themselves into the game but without a midfield creator, struggled for cohesion.
Hearts coach Didi Dramani started three defensive oriented players in midfield; two holding midfielders – Abdul Karim and Raphael Amponsah, and central defender turned-midfielder, David Oppong Afranie.
It reflected in Hearts of Oak’s lack of creativity and rhythm as almost every build up resulted in a throw or a misplaced pass to Bechem.
Conversely, Bechem’s Sefah and Richard Dwamena brought control and innovativeness to their midfield.
However, the visitors could not create anything meaningful either, in the first half.
The second half started with three Hearts substitutions in ten minutes; Martin Karikari, Hussein Mohammed and Theophilus Collison were introduced for Kwaku Boateng, Raphael Amponsah and Gordon Cudjoe.
The substitutions did little to change the game as Hearts continued to struggled to find a way past Bechem’s midfield.
In fact, it was Bechem United who kept trying for the goal, testing Agbasi with a number of long range efforts.
The first came from Isaiah Nyarko after the hour mark, after turning away from Oppong Afranie. It was well-weighted but Agbasi’s positioning made it a comfortable save.
Seven minutes later, Sefah tried again with a speculative effort after Karim had failed to track him. Unlike his earlier attempt, this flew over the bar by some distance.
On the cusp of full time, Hearts made a half-hearted shout for a penalty when Hamza Issah went down in the box.
However, the calls were waved away by referee Selorm Yao Bless.
The final minutes of the game were nothing more than hopeful long balls into the box, met by a resolute Bechem United defense.
Despite the draw, Bechem United who started the day in 10th place, have slipped to 11th on the league table.
Hearts have now climbed to 4th place with 36 points, but are still nowhere close to league leaders Medeama S.C.