West Demerara heavyweight Pouderoyen FC ended their pre-season tour of Bartica with a perfect record after defeating emerging outfit Rising Stars 3-1 on penalty kicks on Saturday evening at the Community Centre ground.
Locked scoreless in front of a large and partisan crowd, the West Demerara giant got off to the perfect start in the shoot-out as custodian Sherwin denied the home side diving to his left. The visitors then capitalized in the form of EJ Mars who slotted to the left of the goalkeeper.
Rising Stars recorded a conversion in their second attempt to level the score at 1-1 with a shot over the hand of the goalkeeper into the left corner. However, Pouderoyen continued their display efficiency from the distance, converting their second attempt compliments of Obadiah Yearwood to lead 2-1.
The task of a possible comeback got harder for Rising Stars, as their third attempt crashed onto the left upright. Once again, the West Demerara unit further strengthened their control on proceedings, with Devin Gaskin netting into the lower left side to push the score to 3-1.
The shoot-out then ended as it began, with Wills making his presence felt once more with a brilliant diving save to his left, to spark wild celebrations in what was a very bruising affair.
Travis Bess, head coach of Pouderoyen FC, in a post-match salvo said that he is very pleased with the result as the team overcame a very difficult situation to secure the victory in a tense and hostile environment.
The visitors fashioned the first chance of the match in the 7th minute, as Matthews blasted just over the crossbar, after receiving a pass from the right side of the penalty box from Adolph.
In the 26th minute, Rising Stars would be denied the lead, as a curling Elvis Jones free-kick from outside the top of the 18-yard box, was pushed away by the outstretched hand of the diving Wills to his right. Those proved to be the only noteworthy chances of very physical and cagey half.
Upon the resumption, Adolph spurned a fantastic opportunity in the 50th minute, racing onto a pass from the centre of the box, only to lose control of the ball despite being unchallenged with only the goalkeeper in his path inside the right of the box.
St. Kitts was then denied in the 62nd minute, as his powerful header was blocked by the defender in front of the goal following a right-sided corner kick.
Rising Stars were then reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute following a reckless challenge from Joshua Jones, resulting in his second yellow card after being booked in the first half for a handball infraction. Despite their numerical handicap, the hosts were awarded a penalty kick two minutes later following a clumsy challenge inside the area. However, Alex Jones faltered from the mark, as he fired his powerful effort onto the crossbar, much to the disappointment of the crowd.
A further setback was incurred by Rising Stars as Elvis Jones was sent off in the 80th minute after picking up his second yellow, in the process reducing his side to nine players.
Jermaine McDonald should have pushed Pouderoyen into the lead in the 84th minute, receiving a pass unchallenged inside the centre of the box, only to blast his effort over the crossbar.
The woodwork would then deny the visitors the lead in the 89th minute, as Mars struck the left upright with a shot from inside the left of the box, after collecting a pass from the left flank.
Prior to the start of the match, a minute of silence was observed for the passing of Avay Lyvan, the wife of Rising Star player Rondell Callendar. Also, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton and Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall met the teams before kickoff.
Meanwhile, in the earlier exhibition match, Rivers View and Potaro Strikers played to a 3-3 stalemate. Andrew Simmons netted a brace in the 19th and 28th minute while Kellon Richardson scored in the 11th minute for Rivers View, while Throy Parris, Rawle Simon and Darnel Gardener netted in the 25th, 40th and 82nd minute apiece.
