SOCCER: Cookstown Athletic record impressive Larne victory
Larne FC 1 Cookstown Athletic 4
LAST Saturday Cookstown travelled to play last year's runners-up Larne FC and recorded an impressive 4-1 victory.
Cookstown opened the scoring in the 5th minute, a powerful header by Liam Mullan from a well delivered Nigel Johnston corner. In the 12th minute Turkey produced a fine save to turn the ball around the post.
Soon after Johnston tried his luck but was denied by the keeper. On 20 minutes Stevie Devlin set Johnston up and his effort hit the side netting.
On 24 minutes the Larne midfielder had a free header but he failed to hit the target. In the 29th minute the home side levelled after hesitation in Cookstown's defence allowed the striker time to volley home.
A mistake in the home defence in the 42nd minute give Johnston an opportunity and he was unfortunate to see his shot come back off the post. Michael O'Hare had several chances but he failed to test the keeper. Devlin fired narrowly wide just before the break, after good work from Aaron Cahoon.
Cookstown started the second half strongly and regained the lead in the 51st minute. Ruairi Scullin played a through ball to Johnston who hit an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net.
On 55 minutes good interchanging between Devlin, Johnston and O'Hare saw the latter fire over when a goal seemed likely. Scullin also forced the keeper into action a minute later. In the 63rd minute Cookstown increased their advantage when Devlin floated the ball over the defence for Johnston to run onto and slide the ball passed the diving keeper.
On 70mintes Noel Tracey turned provider for Johnston and his lob sailed over the bar. Athletic's defence were now restricting the home side to long range efforts.
In the 85th Conor O'Reilly forced a good save from the opposition keeper. Almost immediately at the other end Turkey was quick of his line to deny Larne any chance of a comeback. With two minutes remaining Johnston squared the ball to Caolan Quinn to tap in to leave the final score 4-1.
Team – M. Devlin, N. Tracey, L. Mullan, L. Hoy, M. Leek, A Cahoon, S Devlin, C O'Reilly, R Scullin, N Johnston, M O'Hare. Subs – M Wilson, E McSloy, C Quinn
Manager Aaron Cahoon commented after the game: 'This was our best performance of the year, a result of the hard work the players have been giving at training lately. Hopefully we can maintain this level of consistency'
Training continues tonight at MUSA at 7pm.
This week's lotto winners were R McGranaghan and D Quinn each winning 15 each.
The club would like to thank Brewery Lane for their continued support and for the refreshments after the game.
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
