Cookstown Hockey Club

COOKSTOWN 2 ANNADALE 2

Cookstown missed out on a great chance for a win at Steelweld Fabrications Ltd Park on Saturday, dominating the match against Annadale Hockey Club only to end up with a draw.

The Reds controlled pitch position and possession throughout the first half with Mark Crooks and Paul Thompson in flying form down the right flank. However, they found Annadale goalkeeper Johnny Moore in excellent form and he kept his team in the match throughout the first half.

Cookstown finally found a way past him with one minute left in the half. A slick move at the short corner saw Jack Haycock deflect home for 1-0.

Annadale started the better of the two teams in the second period but it was Cookstown who extended their lead. A penalty corner broke down but Greg Allen kept his head, driving the ball back into the danger area for Ryan Miller to deflect over the line.

The Carryduff men came back into the game with Matthew Rollins having to be on his toes to stop a well-worked shot from Callum Robson. Dale did get a goal when Ben Wallace was allowed to force his way into the Cookstown circle without pressure and steered the ball past Josh McCabe for 2-1.

Annadale had Ryan Getty and Tom Robson yellowed either side of the third and fourth quarter but did manage to get level. Adam McAllister looked to have a wall of red players between him and the goal but a mixture of excellent skills and terrible tackling allowed him to get into a position to scoop the ball over the line.

Moore made another great stop from Michael Kerr at the set piece with Cookstown putting on all sorts of pressure in the final quarter, but Dale were able to see out the game despite late yellow cards for Andrew O’Hare and the Reds’ Ryan Millar.
Solo Fuels MVP: Paul Thompson

Cookstown Ladies put in a great performance against Saintfield on Saturday afternoon, but couldn’t find the finishes to help them to a share of the points. The County Down team won 2-0.

Cookstown II had a brilliant first half in their 5-1 win against North Down II at Steelweld Park. Goals by Davy Atkinson, Alan Carson, Ryan Donaldson, Raymond Miller and Stevie Allen gave the Reds the victory. Thanks to Ian Hagan and Stephen Cuddy for umpiring this match.