The Magpies came out for the second half keen to increase the tempo of their play and to address the hesitation that had blighted their attacking play in the first period. Whilst such desire was evident from the off, they struggled to break through a side that were showing equal intensity as they were desperate to keep their season on track. However, just before the hour mark, Joel Colbran showed a quick turn of pace and fortitude to break the lines from the back and threaded the ball through to Tiago Andrade (right) who rolled his marker before firing towards goal and whilst a deflection aided the effort, the ball nestled in the net for the striker's third goal since joining the club. And it wasn't long before he had his fourth. The impressive Tom Frankland delivered a telling ball into the home box that caused confusion and when the ball was only half cleared to Bachelor on the edge of the box the ball ricocheted into the path of Andrade who stabbed home to double the lead.
|
That flicker of hope for the title-chasers was soon extinguished though when good work from Michael Wood culminated in him taking a quick throw to Andrade who tormented Martin yet again and rolled him before squaring the ball to Williams to tap home with his first touch since coming off the bench. This golden touch was to be repeated before the game came to a close, as in the final minute of normal time Toby House received the ball from Andrade and immediately slipped Ed Davis (left) in and he calmly slotted home past the on-rushing Ender to notch the Magpies' fourth with what was also his first touch of the match.
|