POSITIVES DESPITE DEFEAT

THE WHITE Tigers got 2019 underway with a 3-1 reverse at the hands of Torquay United.
This was classed as our home game at Plainmoor as we looked to make amends for our Boxing Day defeat at the hands of the League leaders.
It was United who started the brightest as Reid went close early on as they saw more of the early ball. However, we managed to get our noses in front with our first raid at goal as Lewington headed home.
A corner for United caused problems as Booth was forced to defend well as they looked for an instant response.
At the other end, Niall Thompson did well before seeing his strike well saved, but we were having to soak up increasing pressure with Rivers doing well to keep our opponents at bay.
Lewington went close on the quarter-hour mark but it was United who were able to level matters when Reid fired home from distance.
United continued to ask most of the questions as they created a number of chances but we were resolute and hard-working to frustrate them.
The last action of the opening period saw Tyler Harvey going close after good work in the build-up by Hurst and then Lewington put a strike over the crossbar.
We started the second period with a free-kick from River Allen finding the head of Hurst who was denied.
It was a purposeful start to the second half for us but United soon started to get a foot-hold back in the game and upped the pressure. It required us to really roll up our sleeves and battle hard.
We did create opportunities on the break and one such fell to Lewington whose effort was blocked and the resulting corner from Riley-Lowe caused all sorts of problems for United as they scrambled clear from in front of goal.
With less than 15 minutes to go our resistance was finally broken as Reid grabbed his second and shortly afterwards we were dealt another blow when the Thompson was red-carded.
It left us deflated but we kept plugging away and Keats’ cross found the head of Harvey who was unlucky.
As the clock ticked down, United rattled the woodwork but they made the game safe towards the end when Kalala beat Rivers to make it 3-1.
It was a disappointing defeat but the lads worked extremely hard and there were definitely positives to come out of the performance.

WHITE TIGERS: Rivers, Thompson, Riley-Lowe, Grimes, Harvey, Allen, Bentley, Hurst, Leigh-Gilchrist (D. Rooney 65), Lewington (L. Rooney 82), Booth (Keats 82).

PHOTO: Josh Miller.