Hebburn Town players hailed after nine-goal demolition of Penrith

Hebburn Town enjoyed a big win, picture by Sean Harrison.

The Hornets went into the game looking to move on from suffering their first league defeat of the season at fellow title contenders North Shields in midweek.

They bounced back in fine style as they raced into a five-goal lead by the time the half-time whistle had been blown on Saturday.

New loan signing Lee Mason wasted little time in making an impact with a first-half brace and further goals from the in-form Cedwyn Scott, Graeme Armstrong and Michael McKeown put their side in complete control.

There was no letting up after the restart as Armstrong went on the complete a hat-trick and Robbie Spence and Olly Martin also found the net to round off a dominant display from Bolam’s side.

The Hornets boss was delighted that his players answered his half-time challenge to prove they had the attitude of potential title winners with a clinical performance.

Bolam told The Gazette: “Three points and a clean sheet would have done us.

“I just sensed something on Saturday, with Lee Mason coming in and Louis Storey and Michael Richardson back on the bench, there was a different feel around the place.

“Even at half-time, at five up, I still asked for more, but that’s just me, that’s the attitude we want in the squad.

“We won the first-half, we wanted to win the second-half and show we had that killer instinct because any side fighting for the league title will have that.”

Bolam also praised the impact made by new addition Lee Mason after he scored two goals on his Hornets debut less than 24 hours after joining the club on loan from South Shields.

The former Blyth Spartans and Whitley Bay forward has found his first-team opportunities limited at the Northern Premier League club – but Bolam believes that he can be “a real asset” for his side over the next month.

“You can see that Lee hasn’t played a lot of football but when he in possession, you could see the real good quality he will bring us.

“He’s a huge boost to us in that number ten position and to get two goals was a real bonus.”