Threesy Does It For Pete
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By Jamie Durent
Wed 01th Jan 2012 : 23:47
A second half treble from Peter Watling helped Northumbria University see off the challenge of Leeds University 5-1.
The home side came out firing in the second half and netted all five of their goals after a lethargic first half.
"We weren't dealing with the second balls in the first half," said manager Paul Johnson as BUCS competition returned to Coach Lane.
"We needed to tweak the midfield at half time as they weren't giving the defence enough help.
"All in all we just needed that 10% extra effort."
Northumbria hit the bar 10 minutes in, Arran Brookbanks meeting Jack Palmer's cross at the back post and turning the ball against the frame of the goal.
But it was largely a first half punctuated by a lack of attacking potency from both sides.
And it was Leeds who took the lead moments before the break, playing a through ball past the home defence and finishing over keeper Neil Postlethwaite.
There was still time for Tom Davies to head against the crossbar before half time as Northumrbia sought an immediate response.
"They largely backed off after taking the lead," said Johnson.
"Had we scored early they would have had to come out and played a bit more."
It took 20 minutes into the second period for Northumbria to open their account but the following 20 saw the floodgates well and truly opened.
An error by the Leeds goalkeeper gave the ball to Watling 20 yards out and he calmly brought the ball down and lofted over the goalkeeper to equalise.
He doubled his tally minutes later, receiving the ball from Dan Riley before turning and firing into the bottom corner.
And he only had to wait five minutes to round off his hat-trick, being played through by Tom Chipendale and finishing beyond the visiting goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
Riley rifled in a fourth from outside the area before sub Luke Wilson rounded off Northumbria's day with their fifth goal.
"Tom (Chipendale) and Jack Palmer put a lot of good crosses in today and in the first half most of them were wasted," Johnson said.
"But we needed a win today to close the gap on Loughborough at the top.
"If we keep winning it'll be a good battle with them for the division title."
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