COOKSTOWN II 6 Raphoe II 1
THE REDS’ second string backed up they wonderful win over Glenanne with a thorough drumming of Raphoe at Coolnafranky on Saturday.
Striker Stevie Allen started it all midway through the first half when he half volleyed the ball home after strong work from Hutchinson and Barbour.
Pete Cunningham talked himself into a sin binning soon afterwards and this proved enough to stall Cookstown from running away with the game in the opening quarter. However, back up to eleven it was game on and wing wonder Mark Crooks danced his way to the left, back to the right, did the hokey-cokey and then turned around before smashing a great drive across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
At the back Bert Johnston was making a believer of coach Geoff Hamilton, alongside the imperious Matt Rollins and suave Gav Butler.
The defensive strength allowed Barbour, Hutchinson and Nelson to direct matters and Stephen Sloan got his first goal in to make it 3-0 in the first half. The midfielder showed great poise as he rifled home from the top of the circle.
In the second period it was a matter of how many Cookstown were going to score, especially after a Raphoe midfielder saw red for an off the ball strike on Crooks’ legs.
It did not prove enough to stop the player and he ran the pitch before finding Pete Cunningham in space. The big striker, who will miss Cookstown’s IJC encounter at Cork, made no mistake and placed the ball home for 4-0.
Minutes later he had his second when his legendary stick work was cut down by some robust tackling. Stepping up to take the flick himself, Cunningham slotted home for Cookstown’s fifth of the day and the player’s ninth of the season.
Raphoe never give in and they once again proved there reputation as one of the most defiant teams in Ulster by grabbing a late goal with Cookstown caught on the attack.
Nevertheless it was Cookstown who finished the scoring when Thomas Hutchinson crowned another strong performance when he sent home a trademark short corner to make it 6-1 to the Reds.
Many thanks to Brian Thom for umpiring. Next up for Cookstown II is an away trip to Newry II at 4pm in Co. Down
Cookstown: James Acheson, Matt Rollins, Paul Thompson, Gavin Butler ©, Robin Johnston, Philip Barbour, Thomas Hutchinson, Dicky Nelson, Mark Crooks, Pete Cunningham, Steven Allen, Ewan Butler, Raymond Millar and Stephen Sloan
Millar, Shearer and Black Man of the Match: Stephen Sloan; strength, speed, physicality and a goal. A great performance.
| 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 |