In a gripping league encounter at the Community 8 Number 2 School Park in Tema on 13 December 2024, Toman Mariners F.C faced Fairpoint F.C, ultimately succumbing to a 1-0 defeat. The match, which kicked off at 3:00pm, was a tense affair that saw both teams battling fiercely for supremacy, but it was the visitors who snatched victory with a late goal.
Toman Mariners adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Emmanuel Amponsah took his position in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Harry Nkansah and Mawudeka Quarshie as right and left defenders, respectively, while Gabby Mensah and Caleb Asamani formed the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Eric Asiamah and Kwabena Boadu operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attacking trio. Ruldoph Dugo, Harrison Danquah, and Clifford Darko Hinson lined up as the right, central, and left attacking midfielders, respectively, with Akpah Amstrong leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for Toman Mariners included Kelvin Sowah and Darlington Doe, who would later be called upon to influence the match.
The match began with a flurry of activity, as Akpah Amstrong committed a foul for holding just two minutes in, setting the tone for a physical contest. Gabby Mensah followed suit shortly after, conceding a free-kick for obstruction in the fourth minute. However, it was Mensah who showcased his defensive prowess, making a crucial header to prevent a chance in the sixth minute, followed by another header just two minutes later that again thwarted Fairpoint's attack.
Toman Mariners struggled to find their rhythm early on, with Harrison Danquah guilty of a handball in the eighth minute. Ruldoph Dugo then attempted to break the deadlock in the ninth minute, but his effort sailed high over the bar. Clifford Darko Hinson's attempt in the 11th minute also went wide, as the Mariners searched for a breakthrough.
The match continued to see a flurry of fouls, with Dugo committing a late tackle in the 13th minute, while Emmanuel Amponsah made his first notable contribution by catching a cross in the 18th minute. Gabby Mensah was again in the thick of the action, blocking a shot in the 19th minute, but he was cautioned for a late tackle shortly after.
As the first half progressed, Ruldoph Dugo was caught offside in the 21st minute due to a mistimed run, a theme that would plague the Mariners throughout the match. The 24th minute saw Amponsah confidently catch a cross, while Caleb Asamani's header in the 25th minute prevented another Fairpoint chance.
With the match approaching the half-time mark, Toman Mariners continued to face challenges, as Akpah Amstrong committed a push foul in the 26th minute, followed by a series of defensive actions from the backline, including a crucial clearance from Asamani in the 31st minute that earned him a yellow card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
As the first half drew to a close, the Mariners had shown resilience but lacked the cutting edge in attack. The half-time whistle blew with the score still locked at 0-0, leaving both teams to regroup and strategise for the second half.
The second half commenced with Emmanuel Amponsah making a punch clearance in the 46th minute, quickly followed by another defensive effort from Gabby Mensah in the 47th minute. However, the Mariners' discipline was tested again, with Eric Asiamah committing a foul just two minutes after the restart.
Fairpoint began to apply pressure, with Amponsah forced into a full-stretch save in the 53rd minute, showcasing his shot-stopping ability. The Mariners attempted to respond, with Eric Asiamah providing a long pass that created a chance in the 55th minute, but it was not capitalised upon.
As the game wore on, Ruldoph Dugo found himself offside again in the 57th minute, while Clifford Darko Hinson made a key pass in the 59th minute that failed to create a clear opportunity. The match was punctuated by a series of fouls, including one by Kwabena Boadu in the 60th minute for obstruction.
Gabby Mensah continued to shine defensively, making an interception in the 63rd minute that prevented a Fairpoint chance. However, the Mariners struggled to find their attacking rhythm, with Harry Nkansah shooting wide in the 64th minute.
As the match approached its final stages, Toman Mariners made two substitutions in quick succession, bringing on Kelvin Sowah for Akpah Amstrong in the 68th minute and Darlington Doe for Kwabena Boadu in the 69th minute. The fresh legs provided a glimmer of hope, but Sowah was soon guilty of a foul in the 71st minute.
Despite the substitutions, Fairpoint remained a threat, and Gabby Mensah's defensive efforts were crucial as he made a clearance in the 72nd minute. Amponsah continued to be a reliable presence in goal, catching a cross in the 73rd minute.
As the match entered its final minutes, the tension mounted. A misplaced pass from Mawudeka Quarshie in the 74th minute did not lead to a goal, but the Mariners were on edge. Key passes from Hinson and Danquah in the 74th and 83rd minutes respectively created opportunities, but the Mariners could not find the back of the net.
In a dramatic turn of events, Fairpoint broke the deadlock in the 99th minute with a stunning long-range strike that left Amponsah with no chance. The Mariners pushed for an equaliser, but despite several key passes and defensive efforts, they could not find the elusive goal.
As the match drew to a close, Toman Mariners were left to rue missed opportunities and a late lapse in concentration that cost them dearly. Gabby Mensah was a standout performer, earning the title of Player of the Match for his resolute defending throughout the encounter. The Mariners will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.
