FOOTBALL: Haskins nets hat-trick as Comrades Reserves sizzle in Cookstown

Cookstown Olympic were hammered 8-0 at home by Ballyclare Comrades Reserves and Michael Haskins was the hat-trick hero.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Oct 2015, 07:00 BST

Three up at the break, Ronnie Burns’ lads continued to completely dominate in the second session and the win keeps them in touch with leaders Newington YC II in Ballymena and Provincial League Junior Division 1 table.

Last week’s star, Kyle Woods, opened the scoring with a tap-in and Bobby Crowe doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Kyle Robinson had been fouled. Approaching the interval Scott Cummings got his name on the scorecard with a volley into the top corner from the edge of the box.

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Haskins opened his account early in the second half with a left-foot shot into the bottom corner after rounding a defender. Chris Crowe made it 5-0 when he stroked the ball beyond the keeper from close range.

Haskins doubled his tally with a right-foot finish into the roof of the net and moments later rounded off his treble with a close range toe-poke, before turning provider for Gregg McFall to complete the rout with a header.

Since taking over at the helm last month Burns has an impressive record, with his team scoring 24 goals while conceding only three.

“I made a few changes this week, and the lads all stepped up to the mark,” he said. “Playing three at the back worked well, but I would like to see how we react against sterner opposition.”

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Comrades Reserves: Nicholl; McAllister, Todd, K McCauley; Robinson, McFall, B Crowe, Gault; Haskins, Woods, Cummings. Subs: Clarke, Burke, McIlwaine, C Crowe, L Davidson.

The Reserves will be in action at Dixon Park next weekend with FC Whiteabbey providing the opposition.