TEMA Youth handed Asante Kotoko their third straight premiership defeat after beating the defending champions 1-0 in their 17th week premiership fixture played yesterday at the Tema Park. Striker Mohammed Gado was the hero for the Tema lads as he scored the winner for his side mid-way through the first half after capitalizing on some loose marking at the heart of the Kotoko defence. They had moved forward to join the attack in search of the opener and left spaces at the back which the home side took full advantage of on a counter-attack. They held on well to the lead from then on, resisting some consistent pressure from the Kotoko side to end the first half. The Reds pressed for the equalizer on resumption, but found the Tema Youth defence build around Mohammed Yahya, Louis Quainoo and goalkeeper Ernest Sowah, in impressive form and very unyielding at the back. It marked the second straight home victory for the Tema lads and they can now look forward to the rest of the campaign with renewed hope and confidence. Kotoko went home a badly bruised side not knowing what has hit them and with confidence in their camp at an all-time low. They next play Liberty Professionals on Sunday and it couldn’t be a much more difficult task. Tema Youth move to 22 points with a game in hand against leaders Hearts of Oak and upon the basis of this performance, they look good to trouble any side especially at their Tema base. Times