After last weeks win we were looking for back to back home, and league wins for the first time in 2016. We began brightly, keeping possession and keeping our composure on the ball stemming from the back four and full debutant Dom Slater in the middle of the park. The deadlock was broken early by Adam Newbrook turning and finishing well with his left foot, as Jack Fawcett's long throw was flicked on by Jonny Doyle. The scoreline was doubled minutes later when Laverick found Smith down the left who crossed for Newbrooks second, a fantastic header back across the keeper. There wasn't a lot for Symington to do at all as captain for the day Adams orchestrated his back 4 well to prevent any danger. Symington was however called into action as a penalty was given, the stopper stepped up to the challenge though by saving and holding the effort. We responded well after that let off by grabbing a third goal, through Newbrook again. A first half perfect hattrick sealed after Smith's outswinging corner was flicked back into the danger area by Sheldon, which seen Newbrook pounce and bury the opportunity with his right boot. The game could have been out of sight as Newbrook ran riot with the returning Ross Macauley up front, but a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors a foot back in the game. A free kick resulted in a free header which managed to loop it's way over Symington.
That goal before half time emphasised the importance of making sure we stepped up from our first half performance to ensure we came away with the 3 points. Knowing the next goal in the game would shape the way it finished, Newbrook added a fourth of the day to his tally, sealing a very impressive personal performance in front of goal for him. Smith's free kick found it's way to the forwards feet who spun and finished well from inside the area, a real fox in the box performance from our number 9. Next on the scoresheet was Macauley, having found himself unlucky not to find the net in a few earlier chances he calmly slotted home at the back post once Smith found him from the left corner of the box. Macauley then turned from scorer to provider by freeing Sheldon, who had been causing problems throughout the half, one on one with the keeper, who again kept his cool to square up the keeper and stroke the ball into his near post. It's no exaggeration to say we could and probably should have scored double figures by this point with our front 4 unable to convert the chances that fell to them, however the away side didn't stop as they pulled another back after a mix up by ourselves in the middle of the park, resulting in a well worked goal from inside the area. One more chance was converted, this time by Smith who tapped home after good work from Newbrook and Macauley in the build up.
A solid, and convincing performance all round which has given us another vital 3 points in our bid to climb up the table. There was some excellent one and two touch football taking us from the first third to the last on show, with Fawcett and Laverick returning to the 11 allowed to venture further forward by the outstanding Slater holding in the middle of midfield. Full credit to everyone, as we look to replicate and build on this when we host Gateshead FC next week,
