Bridge swamped by Yaku hat-trick(30.08.04)

THE Magpies turned in a confident, if not overpowering display, against Redbridge on Monday.
In common with their style this season the hosts played most of the good football, producing a number of moves of real quality.
They also looked sharp in attack, with hat-trick hero Lawrence Yaku enjoying a profitable day, while staying composed at the back.
A 2-0 lead at the break did not flatter them, but they were made to work for all three points eventually as Redbridge produced a spirited comeback.
The match opened with a goal born out of pace and incision when Brendan Gallen set up Craig O’Connor on the left, and his first time cross was met by man of the match Yaku from five yards out. He could not miss.
The Magpies were at their best in this early stage, and produced chances and half-chances aplenty – with the visitors spending most of their time chasing shadows.
When Yaku deflected in a Andy Dugdale volley following Barrie Matthews’ corner, it was no more than the hosts deserved.
However it is one thing to have a comfortable lead, and it is another to hold on to it.
And so it proved as inside the first minute after the resumption Glen Poole had reduced the deficit.
But the Magpies seemed to have ripped the heart out of the Redbridge comeback when another slick move saw Yaku turn provider and O'Connor the scorer from close range on 54 minutes.
Seven minutes later it was 4-1 as again Yaku could hardly miss from five yards out with the Redbridge defence flat-footed.
The last half hour saw the physical visiting team claw their way back into the match following a chip from Ellis Remy and a sensational wonder-volley by Poole from more than 40 yards.
It set up a tense final 10 minutes as Redbridge pressed, but a tired United hung on to the points they deserved.