Megarry hits hat trick as Clough Rangers put to the sword by Cookstown Youth

The game started of scrappy in midfield but Cookstown settled down and started to find their stride. McGarvey set up Glasgow but the young man blazed a shot just over the bar.

O’Neill - who has been in prolific goal scoring form of late - saw his first effort scrape paint from the cross bar from 40 yards out. Clough began to look dangerous and it took Danny McElhatton at the back to marshal his defensive line.

The young trio of Megarry, Scott and Doyle were now starting to carve up the Clough midfield. Megarry had a shot from 20 yards out only for it to be blocked. The ball fell at O’Neill’s feet and he showed no mercy by blasting the ball in the net to give Cookstown the lead.

Jordan Scott had a chance to extend the lead but it was Clough who levelled matters up when they sprung the offside trap allowing McQuincy to shoot high into the Cookstown goal.

Cookstown Youth then stepped up a gear. Clough were finding it hard to contain Megarry and it was the big man who was next to score. With Clough defence carved open, he hit a thunderbolt of a shot which flew into the net to restore the Cookstown lead and take them into the half in the lead.

On the 48th minute O’Neill got his second. John Scott motored down the right flank and put in a super cross leaving O’Neill to guide the ball into the Clough goal.

Within minutes Megarry scored his second when young midfield maestro Keifer Scott dazzled the Clough defence and put in an inch perfect cross for Megarry to fire home and make it 4-1 to the visiting team from Cookstown.

Chances were coming thick and fast and it was Aiden Doyle who was next to get himself on the score sheet. A ball played through from midfield left Doyle one-on-one with the keeper and the young marksman made no mistake in rounding the keeper and putting the ball into an empty net. James Leslie went on one of his virtuoso runs but his final shot let him down.

Kyle Mcmullan came on for Glasgow and he made his presence felt with a thunderbolt from 35 yards that clipped the cross bar.

Goal hunter Megarry got his hat trick when Doyle crossed and Megarry side-footed the ball into the net to make it 6-1.

This Saturday will see Cookstown YFC take on Sport and Leisure Reserves in the quarter final of the Canada Trophy at 2pm at MUSA.