Harvey maintains goal form to seal comeback

By HARRY ADAMS

Harvey Bradbury was the hero as the Magpies maintained their play-off push with a hard-fought comeback win over Winchester City at The Avenue.

It was a lively start to proceedings in Dorset, as in-form Bradbury saw an early header well saved by Citizens’ ‘keeper Charlie Philpott while at the other end, Warren Bentley’s long range effort forced Ryan Hall into a fine stop. The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark, and it was the visitors who deservedly took the lead. Danny King took the ball to the byline, before laying it on a plate for Mlambo, who neatly poked the ball past Hall.

The goal seemed to awaken the Magpies and they were level within six minutes.

Midfielder Keith Emmerson picked up the ball in the centre of the park and threaded a superb pass through to Charlie Gunson, who held off the Winchester defender before slotting home.

The visitors came mightily close to retaking the lead shortly after half-time, with Ollie Grigg’s acrobatic effort tipped over brilliantly by a backtracking Hall. The hosts did gain control of the game as the momentum shifted in their favour, and this paid off 15 minutes from time as Harvey Bradbury made it three goals in his last three games, finishing at the second attempt after his first shot was saved by Philpott.

There was no real threat of a comeback from Winchester, as the hosts continued to dominate proceedings in the closing stages to seal a valuable win.