THE REDS put in a high scoring appearance at Newry on Saturday and but for a frustratingly good stint by the home goalkeeper it could have been much higher.
It all started when Richard Nelson claimed his third of the season when he placed a reverse home at the second attempt.
Nelson was again involved in the second goal; he teed up Stevie Allen who surged into the area and found a foot with his space running out. Short hero Thomas Hutchinson stepped up and drove the ball high into the net with a trademark flick.
Having been warned before the game that Pete Cunningham was on top of the goal scoring chart this season, Hutchinson and Mark Crooks decided to step up the pace and try their assault on the top of the pile.
Hutchinson grabbed his second from a broken down short corner next, the bobbled pitch first hindered the stop and then aided Hutchinson’s low hard drive on the reverse which made it 3-0.
Soon afterwards Crooks claimed his first of the game with a windy run and strong finish into the roof of the net leaving the goalkeeper no chance.
Newry replied with a goal which may or may not have been forced home after the use of the foot.
Nevertheless Cookstown ended the half on top when Crooks got in behind the defence and finished from the tight angle.
On the other side of the break, the Newry keeper seemed to find his feet and suddenly started keeping out everything thrown at him especially where Hassin and Allen were involved.
Crooks had no such problem and completed his hat trick with a push finish from the edge of the circle.
Hutchinson’s triple was not far behind when he smashed home from the top of the circle after Nelson made the hard yards.
Newry got a fortunate goal from an incredibly long ball but Jonny Hassin soon reclaimed the lead with a well taken effort at the back post when Crooks broke up field.
Allen was still having problems beating the keeper but Hutchinson converted another short to make it 9-2.
There was just enough time for Hassin to claim his second from a tight angle and for Allen to smash home an unstoppable drive to make it 11-2.
Cookstown: James Acheson, Bert Johnston, Paul Thompson, Matt Rollins, Gavin Butler ©, Philip Morton, Thomas Hutchinson, Dicky Nelson, Mark Crooks, Jonny Hassin, Stevie Allen and Ryan Millar
Millar, Shearer and Black Man of the Match: Thomas Hutchinson; just from Crooks but four was scarce reward for his efforts.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookstown | 18 | 14 | 1 | 3 | +32 | 43 |
| Banbridge | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | +35 | 40 |
| Instonians | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | +10 | 32 |
| Annadale | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | +21 | 31 |
| Lisnagarvey | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | +29 | 25 |
| Kilkeel | 17 | 6 | 3 | 8 | -11 | 21 |
| North Down | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | -24 | 16 |
| Bangor | 17 | 2 | 5 | 10 | -32 | 11 |
| Mossley | 17 | 2 | 3 | 12 | -25 | 9 |
| Raphoe | 16 | 1 | 4 | 11 | -35 | 7 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knock | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | +14 | 22 |
| Queens | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | +18 | 21 |
| Cookstown | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | +4 | 19 |
| Ballymena | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | +1 | 19 |
| Priorians | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 14 |
| Dromore | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | +3 | 12 |
| North Down | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | -7 | 12 |
| Omagh | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| Kilkeel | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -10 | 4 |
| Ballyclare | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | -21 | 4 |