Allen quadruple keeps Cookstown ticking over

It took the Reds until midway through the first half before they broke the deadlock. Mossley set up with a blanket defence and were proving to be a hard nut to crack despite the Reds’ control of possession. Cookstown’s front three had to work hard off the ball as they attempted to unlock the visiting defence.

Andy Barbour made a good run before finding Ryan Millar in the circle and he showed good awareness to pick out Greg Allen who beat the keeper to open the Reds’ account. A minute later and the score was doubled. Barbour again found Allen who scored with a sneaky reverse effort with his back to goal.

Simon Todd then inflicted more misery on his old team-mates when his scored with a sweetly struck reverse after a good individual run. The visitors now had to abandon their packed defensive set up and with eight minutes left to the half time break Ian Hughes made a great stick save from a Glassey shot which was arrowing into the net.

A minute later and the game as a contest was over when Allen’s shot was deflected past the keeper. In a hastily arranged meeting after the game, the Dubious Goals Committee interviewed Allen who confirmed that his shot was going in - so he was credited with the goal.

Just before the break Mossley won their first penalty corner and Cookstown’s David Best received a nasty blow to the back of his head as he charged down the effort. Best took a break and was ok to play again in the second half.

The Reds played some good hockey throughout the second half which was great to watch. Everyone now wanted the ball and there was plenty of passing options for the ball carrier. Allen scored his fourth goal of the game and his ninth in three games and now seems to be back to his old goal scoring self again.

Millar then got in on the goal scoring act when he turned quickly in a packed circle and beat the keeper with a well placed shot. Hughes then made another good save from a Mossley penalty corner before Todd completed the scoring when he picked up a rebound from the keeper.

The Reds have now scored 28 goals in their last three games and will be looking to continue this form when they travel to Civil Service this Saturday.

Good luck to the Seconds who take on Banbridge Seconds this Sunday at Coolnafranky with a 3pm start.

Cookstown: Ian Hughes; Keith Black; Godfrey Irwin; Matthew Rollins; David Best; Ewan Butler; Paul Thompson; Stephen Sloan; Andrew Barbour; Simon Todd; Greg Allen (c); Ryan Miller; Mark Rooney; Stuart Smyth.