West Demerara’s Pouderoyen FC won the West Demerara Football Association ‘Bounce Back’ Championship, defeating Eagles 3-2 in the grand final Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
“It was a much-improved performance by the team, though I think we needed to show more composure in the defensive third,” said Shavaine Ghent-Bess, head coach of Pouderoyen FC during a post-match comment.
“Also, we needed to stamp our authority and command the middle area more because Eagles were down a player. All in all, it’s a good effort by the team and I must commend the players for coming out and playing this tournament,” she added.
Eagles’ Delon Clarke was issued a red card in the ninth minute for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity just outside the penalty area and the resulting free-kick was converted in the 10th minute by Dwayne St. Kitts to give Pouderoyen the lead in the 70-minute encounter. The midfielder curled his right-footed effort over the wall and down the centre of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Despite their numerical handicap, Eagles equalized through Telbert Baptiste six minutes later.
A goalkeeping error led to the conversion, as a free-kick, fired at the centre of the goal, was spilled by the custodian allowing Baptiste to slot home the ball unchallenged.
The 1-1 score remained unchanged heading into the halftime break. Pouderoyen, however, retook the lead in the 40th minute though Telelen Adolph.
Lurking inside the centre of the penalty area, Adolph rose above his marker to direct his looping header into the far corner, after receiving a long throw-in from right-back Kevin Humphrey.
Chad Matthews then got into the scoring act via a moment of individual brilliance to quickly strengthen Pouderoyen’s position at 3-1, following a 41st minute conversion.
Racing onto a through pass down the centre of the field, Matthews unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike from 23 yards out which sailed into the right corner. Eagles eventually reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 52nd minute, Meshawn Livan being the goal scorer.
A passing combination initiated the conversion, as the resulting cross from the left side of their field, was thumped into the roof of the left corner by Livan.
However, Pouderoyen’s numerical advantage proved pivotal in the remaining minutes and they maintained the marginal lead to clinch the title. Mean-while, Uitvlugt defeated Wales via walkover in the third-place playoff.
Complete Results
Final
Pouderoyen-3 vs Eagles-2
Pouderoyen Scorers
Dwayne St Kitts-10th
Telelen Adolph-40th
Chad Matthews-41st
Eagles Scorers
Telbert Baptiste-16th
Meshawn Livan-52nd
3rd Place
Uitvlugt vs Wales
Uitvlugt won via walkover
