Week 12 of the Salpholda Hockey League delivered thrilling action as teams ramped up their performance, with just a few matches left in the season. The stakes were high as some teams fought to maintain their positions while others sought to climb the league standings.
In a significant turn of events, the University of Ghana hockey team forfeited their match against the Reformers, handing their opponents a walkover victory, granting the Reformers 3 points and 3 goals as per the league’s rules. GRA kept their African Cup aspirations alive with a commanding 5-0 victory over the Legonknights. Defending champions, Exchequers, further solidified their dominance with a 4-0 win over Arkmen, extending their lead on the league table and bolstering their chances of representing Ghana in the next African Cup for Club Championship. The clash between the police and army was a closely contested affair. Despite a strong defensive effort from the police, which saw them keep the game goalless for three quarters, the Army’s persistence paid off when Addison Abdellah scored the decisive field goal in the 59th minute, securing a 1-0 victory.
In the Women’s Division, the police made a strong statement by defeating extinguishers 3-0, propelling themselves to 3rd place in the standings. GRA also benefited from a walkover against the Legonknights, gaining 3 points and 3 goals. In another intense matchup, the Army triumphed over the Reformers in a dramatic comeback. After a goalless first quarter, Reformers took the lead through Hagar Laryea’s field goal, only for the Army to equalise in the third quarter via Gbati Asana’s penalty corner and later clinch the win with a 57th-minute field goal by Acquah Juwaila. This defeat saw the Reformers drop out of the top three.
In the Masters Division, NDK Financiers secured their second victory of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over the Golden Sticks. Citizens International overcame league sponsor Salpholda with a 3-1 victory.
Meanwhile, league leaders Hockey is the Reason in the Youth Division were held to a goalless draw by Tema Manhean in a match that saw both teams match stick for stick. Finally, Einstein Hockey’s 5-0 win over Young Financiers lifted them to 3rd place on the league table, now standing at 7 points.
