The Bears horrors looked certain to continue when ex Bear Ben Murrell capitalised on a defensive mix up to hand Toronto the lead after only 2mins of play.
Going down 0-1 after 2 mins was a big set back but when Rhys Tippett had to leave the field after a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury in only the 5th min it appeared it was once again going to be "one of those days".
Toronto continued to push forward putting pressure on the Bears and in the 17th min Toronto found the net again but luckily for the Bears the goal was disallowed for off side.
The Bears were close to equalising in the 20th min when an in swinging corner caught the Toronto keeper off guard. The keeper tipped the ball into the top corner of the post but the assistant referee correctly ruled the ball didn't cross the line.
Both sides had chances before the half time break but the score remained 0-1 till the whistle.
What ever Coach Mick Boogaard told the Bears at half time was perfect and the Bears came out swinging. In the 48th min they equalised through Chris Cousins who did well to get his ample forehead onto a great Mick Ryan cross.
The game was now turning and the Bears were starting to control the game with some great angled balls catching the Toronto defence out. Tyson Fletcher was promoted to the first team and he was causing Toronto problems with some great runs that allowed the Bears to work the counter.
Awaba were unlucky not to receive a spot kick in the 76th min when the ball looked to strike Luke walker on the hand in the box. Walker played on despite the appeals from the Toronto players and played a long ball through for Mick Ryan who found the net to give the Bears a 2-1 lead.
The Bears were causing huge problems for the Toronto defence with well worked counter attacks and in the 87th min Chris Cousins was on the end of a perfectly placed Mick Holt through ball to give himself a Brace and an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Mick Ryan wasn't to be out done by Cousins and he also had his own Brace when he found the net again the 88th min to give the Bears a 4-1 lead.
In a busy last few minutes both Cousins and Ryan had chances to get their Hat-tricks but it was Luke Walker who was next to find the net when he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home in the 90th min to make the final score 5-1.
Many positives can be taken from the game with forced changes due to suspensions and injuries altering the make up of the team so to bounce back in this fashion proves the Bears have not forgot the spirit and mongrel that got them to within a breath of a Grand Final appearance last season.
The lower grades didn't have such a good day with U/23's going down 1-2 and U/18's having a 1-1 draw.
Next week the Bears are home to Broadmeadow Magic. The Bears will also play the deferred round 8 match next Monday at West Wallsend.
C'MON YOU BEARS!!!!!!!
