Management duo praise Tigers in narrow defeat

The Tigers, who had won against Clipstone in Duncan Millgan and Andy Buckley’s opening match, were unlucky as they went down 3-2 at Garforth Town in a mid-table clash.

The management duo said: “We have tried to play football today and played the better stuff.

“We have a lot of young lads in the side who didn’t look out of place.

“Garforth didn’t really cause us many issues, but it’s all about what happens in both boxes.

“We are certainly not unhappy with the performances.

“We have done everything right and the players gave everything, which I think the fans appreciated at the end.”

Former Tiger Mark Simpson gave the hosts the lead after 14 minutes, but from a neatly-worked corner Conor Higginson grabbed an equaliser.

Garforth regained the lead around the half-hour with either Simpson or Worksop’s Alex Boyd getting the final touch.

Worksop started the second period well, but went 3-1 behind after a mix-up in the penalty area allowed Callum Ward to bundle in.

The visitors continued to control possession and played some encouraging football, maintaining a sharp passing game.

In the closing seconds they pulled a goal back when subsitute Will Sutton hung a cross up to the back post for Mitch Husbands to head back across goal.

The ball was deflected in by Garforth defender Lewis McCrum.

The result left the Tigers 11th in the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League.

Garforth climbed above them after the victory.

On Saturday the Tigers host Staveley Miners’ Welfare.

Milligan and Buckley said they were encouraged by much of what they saw at Garforth.

Although pleased with the performance, the pair bemoaned some individual mistakes, however, which led to Garforth’s goals.

“Where you can’t make mistakes is in the opposition box, where it’s going to cost you,” they said.

“There’s no point in getting on at any of the lads because that’s not how it works.

“You have got to work every week to limit the amount of mistakes.

“We always felt the game had goals in it and we were delighted with our first goal — it was very clever and sharp.”

Worksop winger James Milner went off during the first half after being kicked in the head by a wayward boot.

Afterwards the Tigers’ management duo said that was a big loss.

They said: “It affected the game. He’s an outlet and he terrorises defenders.

“He was very brave to put his head down there and got caught.

“He has gone to A&E to get checked out and if he fails a certain test he will be out for at least 14 days.

“There is no point in moaning about the referee, but we may be missing James for a few weeks.”

Worksop Town: Fielding, Hodder, Liversidge, Boyd, Templeton, Higginson, Holden, Barnett, Milner, Baird, Husbands. Subs: Dunbar, Beaumont, Smith, Mlynarski, Sutton.

Worksop’s League Cup tie against Bridlington Town, postponed because of a frozen pitch last week, has been rearranged.

It will now be played on Wednesday, 21st February, with a 7.45pm kick-off.