Pouderoyen loses to Anns Grove in pre-season encounter

West Demerara giants Pouderoyen FC were handed their first defeat of their preseason campaign, losing to Elite League club Ann’s Grove United 2-4 on Tuesday evening at the Golden Grove ground, East Coast Demerara.

The fixture started in the worst possible manner for the West Demerara outfit as an own goal was conceded in the third minute as an attempted clearance by the defender was inexplicably dropped by the goalkeeper into the back of the net during his attempt to catch the ball.

Pouderoyen eventually equalised in the 27th minute, as Kenneth Opara netted from the penalty mark, slotting the ball into the right corner, after his side was awarded the spot-kick following a handball infringement inside the 18-yard area.

However, Anns Grove retook the lead two minutes later, as another own goal was conceded. This time a defender was at fault, as he unfortunately chested the ball into the back of the net in his attempt to thwart the danger.

The score remained unchanged heading into the halftime interval. Upon the resumption, Pouderoyen levelled proceedings once more, as Opara completed his brace in the 47th minute, rifling a powerful strike from the top of the 18-yard box into the left corner after receiving a cross from the left side.

Nevertheless, Shaquan Joseph pushed Anns Grove ahead once more, etching his name on the scorer’s sheet in the 60th minute under fortuitous circumstances, as a tame strike from outside the penalty area went through the grasp of the goalkeeper and settled into the back of the net.

Kemroy Alfred then doubled their lead at 4-2, as he found the back of the net 10 minutes later, slotting past the advancing goalkeeper from inside the penalty box during a one-on-one situation.

The visiting side would have a chance to reduce the deficit in the 80th minute following the acquisition of another penalty. Opara, who had the chance to complete a hat-trick, failed to convert from a distance, as he was denied by the goalkeeper.

Head coach Travis Bess said in a postmatch comment, “I’m very disappointed with the turnout for the match, but overall we showed fight and heart. It was a very tough match and also very competitive; both sets of players had good fights and energy.”