Exeter 3-1 Rovers
Our U-18 side suffered a fifth consecutive defeat on Saturday, going down 3-1 to Exeter City at the Cat and Fiddle Training Ground.Although a second half goal from George Corp put them back on level terms after the home side had taken a first half lead, defensive errors once again cost Rovers the game and Exeter scored twice more to secure the win.
Youth Team Manager Alan Walsh, whilst pleased with the work rate and effort shown by his side, was once again disappointed with the manner in which they conceded.
“I would say that we put in a hard-working performance but our defending, as a team, was poor.
“We were aware that Exeter like to play a passing game so we travelled there with a game plan to nullify their possession and, to a degree, we managed to do that.
“However they opened the scoring on 22 minutes when we tried to play out from the back. We lost possession in midfield and Exeter hit us with a quick counter attack and their goalscorer evaded three challenges with ease before slotting the ball past Kieran Preston.”
Apart from the goal there were few other goalscoring opportunities. Rovers created very little going forward, while the home side were restricted to opportunities from set pieces.
“The lads kept their heads up and tried hard to get back into the game and were rewarded with a goal 15 minutes into the second half.
“Blake Davies got down the left and crossed into the area where George Corp was on hand to sidefoot the ball home with an excellent finish.
“Ten minutes later, though, Exeter were allowed too much time and space and scored a second goal which meant we had to chase the game.
“In doing so, we left ourselves vulnerable at the back and poor defending cost us a third goal before the final whistle.”
Team: Kieran Preston, Tyler Lyttle, Tom Fry, Alfie Kilgour, Bradley Confrey, Jay Malpas, George Corp, Connor Jones (Elliott Green, 65),, Blake Davies, (Tyrone Tucker-Dickson, 70), Laurent Davis-Wilson (Dan Lamiman, 60), Ryan Broom
Substitute: Cameron Clarke