Hornets smash Toronto Awaba 6-2 as club celebrates O'Hearn's 400th game

It was Cessnock biggest victory since 2014 and the most goals the club have scored in a game in six years, against a woeful Stags side.  

It just 13 seconds for Jake Thompson to open the scoring in tremendous, and surprising fashion.

Cessnock kept the pressure on the visitors and goals to Kane Rodgers and Isaac Peek gave them a 3-0 lead at half-time.

The second began similarly to the first and Rodgers scored a second, however, the Hornets seemed to take their foot off the accelerator and it allowed Toronto to nab two quick ones through Nick Mackay and Cody Armstrong to bring the game back into contention.

Cessnock City coach Brendan Slade made some key substitutions, none more so than youngster Kyle Williams who was able to clutch two late goals off the bench to put the game’s result beyond any doubt which blasts Cessnock back near the top four.

Slade confessed that although he was pleased with the win, the fact that they conceded two goals while they were dominating is something that they’ll need to fix.

“We need to work out ways so that we don’t drop off and concede soft goals like we did,” Slade said.

“We need to keep up our intensity for the full 90 minutes. We’ve got to stop switching off because good teams are going to punish you if you do that.

“We’re playing the teams now that are below us on the table so we need to make sure we get results against these sides so we can get back into the top four.”

Slade did make a special mention about his forwards’ efforts though, stating that their composure and execution was pleasing to see as goal-scoring was an area that had let them down in recent weeks.

“I’m very happy with our goals today. Our wingers had been making some great runs, but it was that final pass that lacked. It was much better today.”

“It’s nice to see things you work on at training coming out on game day.”