HOME SWEET HOME

THE WHITE Tigers marked our first League game of the season at Treyew Road by coming from behind to beat St. Albans City by two goals to one.
It was the visitors who threatened first when a free-kick was delivered to the far post and headed just wide.
They went close on seven minutes when a neat move ended with a strike that flew well over the crossbar.
Our first effort on goal saw a free-kick from Harvey land narrow wide of the target.
Both sides were cancelling each other out in the early exchanges with clear-cut opportunities at a premium.
A corner was met by the head of Lewington just after the half-hour mark but his effort lacked the necessary power to trouble the ‘keeper too much.
As the opening period came to a close, it was the visitors who started to get on top but we were able to stem their flow and ended the first half with a good spell of our own, however, it was honours even going into the break.
The second period started with Alex Battle going close in his first start for the club but it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 57 minutes when Merson was able to turn the ball home despite Rivers’ best efforts to keep the ball out.
With their tails up, the visitors went close to doubling their advantage shortly afterwards but we were able to level matters with just over 20 minutes to go when, after some delay, Harvey stayed cool to fire home from the penalty spot after the visitors were penalised for a handball.
A powerful drive from Allen rattled the woodwork and then Lewington was denied in front of goal as we sensed a winner.
We went close again on 82 minutes when Battle put in an inviting low ball which was met with a deft touch from Harvey as the ball landed the wrong side of the post.
There was a chance for the visitors in the closing staged which they failed to take advantage of and it soon came back to haunt them when, in stoppage time, substitute, Louis Rooney, nipped in to turn the ball home and give us three precious points on a happy night at Treyew Road.

WHITE TIGERS: Rivers, Riley-Lowe, Grimes, J. Richards, Booth (L. Rooney 630, Allen, D. Rooney, Battle, Hurst, Lewington, Harvey. Subs not used: Bentley, Keats.
GOAL(S): Harvey, L. Rooney.
ATTENDANCE: 272.

PHOTO: Josh Miller.