By Saddick Adams
League champions Berekum Chelsea are through to the final of the inaugural GHALCA Glo G8 Cup after beating AshantiGold 2-0 on Thursday at Sunyani Coronation Park.
Mercurial talent Charles Taylor tucked in a rebound from 8 yards with three minutes into the first half.
In the 68th minute, Taylor teed up Captain Mohammed Basit to blast home the assurance goal from 30 yards.
The game started off brightly with Chelsea looking more threatening in the early stages of the match with Nigerien import Musah Mohammed forcing a quick save from AshGold goalie Ibrahim Iddrisu.
AshGold coach Zvradco Lugarosic opted for a more attacking formation with Latif Mohammed, Aminu Mohammed and Ivorian import Didier Kone leading the attack
His opposite number Steve Polack named and unchanged squad that beat Aduana Stars 2-0 in the final Group match on sunday.
Chelsea's speedster Isaac Amponsah limped off just under a minute and was replaced by skillful midfielder Gladson Awako who joined and exchanged beautiful passes with Charles Taylor.
AshGold won a free kick in the 24th minute after Richard Afari fouled Mohammed Latif at the edge of the Chelsea goal area but skipper Daniel Asamoah's lob was saved by goalkeeper John Mossi.
Taylor looked lively in the game and dribbled his way into the AshGold box on 38 minutes but dived to earn himself a yellow card from referee S.B Bortey.
Chelsea captain Basit found Charles Taylor again with a pin-point pass from the center but Taylor's volley was parried over the post by goalie Idrissu.
The first half ended barren but Chelsea dominating play.
The league champions began the second period from where they left off forcing AshGold to defend for most parts of the game.
Gladson Awako,Moussa Mohammed and Charles Taylor tormented the Miners defensive set up of Isahaku Zakari, Daniel Asamoah and Kwadwo Boateng.
Taylor set the stadium alive just three minutes into the second half by blasting home a left footer volley from 8 yards after a rebound.
AshGold continued to chase shadows and showed signs of fatigue by allowing Chelsea to dominate the midfield play.
Taylor and Awako were allowed to exchange play and set up the attacking duo of Musah and Nana Yaw on several occasions
Skipper Abdul Basit sealed victory for the Berekum-based side in the 68 minute when he drove home a 30 yard shot after receiving a rehearsed pass from Charles Taylor from midfield.
Logarosic tried to control the damage when he introduced defensive midfielder Eugene Prempeh for striker Abdul Aziz in the 74th minute.
But AshGold still played second fiddle to the Ghanaian champions who seemed to control their passes and carried the game to the miners.
The last ten minutes of the match was a delight to watch unless you were an AshGold fan with Charles Taylor receiving much applause from the fans with his usual deft touches and dribbling skills.
Former Etoile Filante striker Moussa Mohammed had only goalkeeper Idrissu to beat in the AshGold post but the attacker shot wide in the 90th minute to spare AshGold of more worries.
Chelsea: John Mossi-Samuel Kyere, Richard Kissi Boateng, Prince Anokye, Richard Afari-Owusu Jackson, Isaac Amponsah, Abdul Basit, Charles Taylor-Nana Yaw, Moussa Mohammed.
AshGold: Ibrahim Idrissu-Daniel Asamoah, Michael Boakye, Kwadwo Boateng, Zakari Isahaku-Henri Traore,Aminu Mohammed, Latif Mohammed, Abdul Aziz-Didier Kone,Emmanuel Odoi
Referee-SB Bortey
Cheslea will now face winner of the second semi-final match between Medeama and New Edubiase.