Wanderers 4 Inter Toronto FC 1: An electric first half, Johnston's new cologne, and weathering the storm

The Halifax Wanderers' playoff hopes remain alive thanks to an explosive 4-1 victory over Inter Toronto FC at the Wanderers Grounds on Sunday, putting them five points behind Vancouver FC for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Although Inter Toronto's early marker could have put a damper on the festivities, scoring only seconds after the 1991 Nova Scotia Clippers squad were honoured pre-match, head coach Vanni Sartini's men dug in and responded with a glittering first half which saw them score three goals.

Inter Toronto head coach Mauro Eustáquio tried to shuffle the deck after the first 45 minutes, bringing on Béni Badibanga to add some bite to their attack, but it's the Wanderers who scored first, bagging a fourth goal in the 73rd minute.

Here's a breakdown of the match's key talking points.

Wanderers boast a dominant first half at home

The Wanderers may have conceded first but they responded brightly, making Inter Toronto pay for some sloppy ball movement and hitting them on the counterattack throughout the first half.

Sartini made two changes from his side's win versus FC Supra, opting to play Ryan Telfer — who happens to be a Swiss Army knife in football boots — as a more advanced midfielder while also bringing Finn Linder into the starting XI for youngster Ilan Ahmed, who was selected for Canada's U-17 Men's National Team. Kareem Sow filled in at left-back.

Sartini's choices paid dividends as Telfer proved pivotal in the centre of the pitch, helping the Wanderers to quickly move the ball up the field. He also earned an assist on Halifax's second goal with a savvy pass to Lorenzo Callegari, who fizzed a ball into the back of the net to take a 2-1 lead in the 24th minute.

Wanderers midfielder Lorenzo Callegari celebrates scoring his fourth goal of the season. (Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC)

A FVS review earned Halifax a penalty in the 34th minute, capping off a 25 minute spell which saw them score three goals and take control of the match.

The Wanderers finished the first half with four big chances created to Inter Toronto's one despite only having 43 per cent possession.

Johnston ties Kwemi for CPL Golden Boot leader

Isaiah Johnston can look forward to a new cologne thanks to bagging his 10th and 11th goals of the season, which tied him with current CPL Golden Boot leader Loïc Kwemi. (Wanderers Weekly host Dominik Diamond made a promise to Johnston that he'd buy him a bottle of Louis Vuitton cologne if scored 10 markers this season).

Johnston's first was a result of some phenomenal football as youngster Lucas Olguin pinged a ball to Jason Bahamboula. Tied up by an Inter Toronto defender, Bahamboula played it off for Callegari, who was on right hand side of the 18-yard box. He whizzed in a pinpoint pass for Johnston, who tapped it in, tying the match 1-1 in the nineth minute.

Isaiah Johnston remains the most clinical finisher on the Wanderers, scoring two goals during Sunday's match versus Inter Toronto FC. (Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC)

Later, making another dangerous run, Johnston was pulled down in the box by Inter Toronto's Ollie Bassett. After FVS had a look, Halifax was awarded a penalty and Johnston stepped up to face goalkeeper Antonio Campos.

Johnston placed a hard effort to the bottom left corner, beating Campos to cap off an excellent first half.

Now, the 24-year old attacker is tied for the Golden Boot lead with five matches left in the season.

Wanderers tighten up defensively when it matters

The Wanderers were always going to face an onslaught in the second half and Eustáquio ramped up the pressure early by bringing on Badibanga after the half.

The backline of Jefferson Alphonse, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Finn Finder and Kareem Sow, however, stayed compact, fending off Inter Toronto's attempts in the final third with smart marking and a disciplined shape.

Goalkeeper Marco Carducci was also forced to stand tall, making four saves, including a late header by Sebastián Gonzáles, in the second half.

But the Wanderers fought through Inter Toronto's pressure — which yielded 14 shots and 65 per cent possession — and found the back of the net first, thanks to an incredible effort by substitute Nelson Pierre, who sent a perfect ball to Bahamboula in the 73rd minute for Halifax's fourth goal.

Now, the Wanderers are arguably playing their best defence of the year, not to mention having scored six goals in the last two matches, as they narrow the gap for a final playoff spot.

Editor's Note: This article is part of our free coverage.