Rospak SC faced off against Swedru All Blacks United in a gripping league encounter at the Swedru Stadium on 3rd November 2024. The match, which kicked off at 3:00 PM, ended with Rospak SC succumbing to a 2-1 defeat, leaving them to ponder missed opportunities and tactical decisions as they head into the next fixtures.
Rospak SC lined up in a 4-1-3-2 formation, designed to provide both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Evans Blay took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Osei Yaw and Clement Essien as the right and left defenders, with Ernest Arhin and Prince Amponsah forming the central defensive partnership. In front of them, Benjamin Ofori played as the central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking midfield trio featured Emmanuel Quarshie on the right, Frederick Twumasi in the centre, and Richard Appiah on the left, while Reuben Tetteh and Kobinah Boakye spearheaded the attack as forwards. The substitutes for Rospak included Samuel Bayitse, Godfred Eshun, Francis Havor, Derrick Asare, and Peter Arhin.
The match began with Rospak SC looking to assert their dominance, and they found the breakthrough in the 21st minute. Richard Appiah scored a stunning goal from outside the box, striking with his right foot after a well-coordinated team move that left the Swedru defence scrambling. The early lead invigorated Rospak, who continued to press for a second goal.
However, as the first half drew to a close, tensions flared. Frederick Twumasi received a yellow card in the 43rd minute for a bad tackle, a decision that would prove pivotal as the referee, Musey Robert, sought to maintain control of the match. The half-time whistle blew shortly after, with Rospak SC holding a slender 1-0 advantage.
The second half commenced with tactical adjustments, as Rospak made a substitution just after the break, bringing on Samuel Bayitse for Reuben Tetteh. The change was aimed at bolstering their midfield presence and maintaining control of the game. However, the tide turned in the 64th minute when Swedru All Blacks United equalised with a powerful header from close range, leaving Rospak's defence exposed.
The equaliser rattled Rospak, and their frustrations boiled over as Richard Appiah received a yellow card in the 68th minute for another bad tackle. Shortly thereafter, Emmanuel Quarshie followed suit, earning a yellow card in the 71st minute, further compounding Rospak's woes as they struggled to regain their composure.
In a bid to alter the course of the match, Rospak made further substitutions in the 72nd minute, introducing Godfred Eshun for Kobinah Boakye and Francis Havor for Richard Appiah. However, the changes failed to stem the tide, and in the 81st minute, Swedru All Blacks United took the lead with a second goal, capitalising on Rospak's defensive lapses.
As the match approached its conclusion, Rospak made their final substitution in the 84th minute, with Peter Arhin replacing Benjamin Ofori in a last-ditch effort to salvage a point. Despite their efforts, Rospak could not find the equaliser, and a further yellow card was issued in the 88th minute for another bad tackle, highlighting the frustration of the Rospak players as the clock wound down.
Ultimately, Rospak SC's defeat at the hands of Swedru All Blacks United leaves them with much to reflect upon as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures. The match showcased moments of brilliance but was marred by disciplinary issues and a failure to convert chances, underscoring the need for tactical refinement and improved discipline moving forward.
