Joao Marques scored four second half goals as Corinthians overturned a half-time deficit to go level on points with league leaders Peel.
The 7-4 win at Ballafletcher puts the two on 37 points, but the westerners have a game in hand, while Ayre, back on 31 points, have two games in hand over Corinthians and one over Peel to set up a dramatic run in.
Corinthians made the breakthrough after just seven minutes as Dan Simpson played in Conor Clark, with the striker showing good skill to craft half a yard before firing it across the goal and into the far corner past Ryan Tate.
Peel levelled soon after as Tommy Brown pounced on a loose ball after Jack Corran parried a save, the golden boot leader made no mistake as he calmly slotted the ball home to make it 1-1.
Corinthians were the architects of their own downfall for Peel’s second as they twice gave the ball away cheaply in midfield before Taylor Andrews slid in Paul Whitehead who had so much time he was able to pick his spot and place the ball beyond the reach of Corran.
On the stroke of halftime, Whitehead was at it again as he controlled a bouncing back, lobbing an on rushing Corran and making It 3-1 to Peel at the break.
The second half was like night and day for Corinthians, with the sometimes sloppy play of the first half banished, as they came out and scored within two minutes of the restart, Simpson benefitting from a parried Tate save to make it 2-3.
Ben Qualtrough’s side were level shortly after as Simpson’s cross found Joao Marques on the edge of the box who rifled a half volley past Tate, who had no chance with it.
Marques was at it again shortly after as Simpson’s cross got Israel Dunn into a tangle, the Corinthians midfielder nipped in and made it 4-3.
As Peel came forward looking for an equaliser their pressure saw a rather controversial penalty awarded as the ball appeared to strike Aaron Costain on the face, but the officials deemed it had struck a Corinthians hand too and awarded the visitors a penalty.
Brown stepped up but blasted his penalty high into the Louis Thornton Stand, much to the relief of the home side and their fans.
That relief was short lived as Taylor Andrew’s bending corner went over everyone and nestled into the far corner to make it 4-4 with about seven minutes to play.
As Peel looked the most likely to score, it was Corinthians on the break who got the game’s ninth goal as Josh Riding scored to make it 5-4.
With the league leaders piling forward to try and rescue a point, another breakaway saw Marques grab his hat trick before a copy and paste scenario saw him grab a fourth goal to secure the three points for Corinthians.
We will have a breakdown of the rest of the weekend’s games in Around the Grounds later today.
4 Comments