Football: Cookstown Youth Under 16s secure impressive win

They were under no illusions as to the size of the task facing them, Bangor were the early season pace setters and had beaten Cookstown by a goal on the two occasions they played last year.

The first half was nip and tuck initially, the first chance of note falling to Jack Dingley. His curling shot beat the goalkeeper, but not the post.

Keane, Larmour and McCrum were solid as a unit and were ably assisted by Dobson and Rocks, with Arrell combining defence and attack but the golden chance just wouldn’t appear.

Donnelly and Wilson were working tirelessly on the wings while Hughes and Dingley held the ball up superbly given that they were playing against players almost twice their height.

A quick throw from Dingley saw Hughes win a free on the edge of the box. Always one to fear over a set piece, Arrell whipped the ball over the wall and into the top corner for another great goal his first of the season.

Bangor caused problems from the restart but the safe hands of Ben Young and his athleticism kept the goal lead secure.

Donnelly was becoming a super outlet on the right and he linked well with Hughes and delivering crosses that Bangor struggled to deal with.

Grimes was introduced for Dingley, who had bust a gut for the team, and it was his blocked shot that fell kindly for Donnelly to prod into the net and give Cookstown that cushion they needed.

Kelly, McMullan, Thom and Buchanon were all introduced to secure the victory. They defended their lead superbly and can take huge positives and momentum into their match against new league leaders Warrenpoint on Saturday coming.

Squad: Young, McCrum, Larmour, Keane, Wilson (c), Donnelly, Rocks, Dobson, Arrell, Dingley, Hughes, Buchanon, Kelly, Grimes, McMullan and Thom.