Hockey: Cookstown High get the better of Bangor Grammar

Cookstown High 4-0 Bangor Grammar -On Saturday Cookstown High School travelled to Bangor to play a crucial match in their McCullough Cup group. The match started slowly with both teams struggling to play hockey of any real standard.
Ryan Donaldson moving the ball under pressureRyan Donaldson moving the ball under pressure
Ryan Donaldson moving the ball under pressure

Chances were few and far between with the limited chances that Cookstown managed to create being well saved by the Bangor goal keeper.

A lack of passing discipline and communication were the major stumbling blocks for the Cookstown team and this prevented any fluent passing or clear cut chances.

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Cookstown managed to force one short corner but the initial shot was well dealt with and Cookstown failed to capitalise on the second phase opportunity.

After a few home truths and basic tactical changes were made at half time, Cookstown came out in the second half with a much higher intensity and tempo to their game.

A quick fire counter-attack saw Alan Carson make no mistake in slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Cookstown continued to dominate and soon doubled their lead through Ryan Donaldson as he beat two Bangor players before finishing into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance.

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The third goal came from some lovely link up play between Callum Anderson and Michael Kerr before the final pass found Scott McCabe, well positioned at the back post, to finish.

At this stage Cookstown were cruising and were playing some of their best hockey this year.

To round off a fantastic second half performance Ryan Donaldson fired a reverse shot past the keeper to give Cookstown a 4-0 victory and leave them still in a reasonably strong position in their McCullough Cup group with two games to play.

Squad: J McCabe, T Sterling, J Haycock, D Kerr, B McConnell, J Wensley, R Donaldson, M Kerr, C Anderson, C Millar, C Chambers, S McCabe, A Carson, T Montgomery.