West Demerara outfit Pouderoyen FC continued their preseason tour yesterday with a 1-1 stalemate against the African Connection Allstars in a keenly contested affair at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
Headcoach Travis Bess during a post match comment said, “Today is an improved performance from the team, even though we would have drawn the game. We got many positives from the fixture that we can work on but we still need to improve much more. We need to be more discipline in terms of our pattern of play and possession of the ball. We also need to take our chances when we get the opportunities.”
An individual effort from midfielder EJ Mars in the second minute handed Pouderoyen the early lead in the matchup which was contested under sunny conditions and in front of a small gathering.
Latching onto a poorly headed clearance just inside inside centre of the penalty box, Mars uncorked a thunderous strike which sailed into the roof of the right corner.
The advantage for the home side proved to be short-lived, as forward Chidune Chidi Matthew found the back of the net in the 18th minute.
The aforementioned conversion capped off a brilliantly worked team move, as Adolph after racing down the right flank to receive a through pass, delivered a perfectly placed cross which was slotted home first time by the onrushing Matthew inside the centre of the six yard area.
Pouderoyen custodian Sherwin Wills kept the score unchanged in the 27th minute, diving to his left to parry away a strike from inside the left of the area.
On the other end, Pouderoyen defender Sebastián Edwards almost gave his side the lead in the 35th minute, only to be denied by the woodwork, as a curling strike from outside the left of the penalty box, crashed into the left upright.
The score remained unchanged heading into the second period. Upon the resumption of play, Matthew almost handed his team the lead, only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Wills in the 56th minute.
Cutting in from the left side of the field, Matthew unleashed a curling right footed effort which seemed destined for the top right corner, only to be denied by the outstretched hands of the custodian at full stretch.
Meanwhile, Pouderoyen’s best chance was fashioned by Keanu Lawrence in the 69th minute, as a curling freekick from outside the left of the penalty box, was parried to safety.
The West Demerara unit will continue their preseason tour on Friday against Agricola Red Triangle.
Match Report
Pouderoyen-1 vs African Connection
Allstars-1
Pouderoyen Scorer
EJ Mars-2nd
African Connection Allstars Scorer
Chidune Chidi Matthew-18th
