Seven days after their dramatic win over Kilkeel in the Kingdom of Mourne in the Irish Senior Cup, Cookstown were able to completely dominate last year's runners-up with a fine performance at Steelweld Park on Saturday
Bouyed by the return of co-captains Mark Crooks and Greg Allen to the fold, the Reds turned in a great display of attacking hockey while also keeping a clean sheet against an energetic and dangerous opposition.
Cookstown took the lead thanks to the good work of Paul Thompson and Timmy Sloan down the right flank. Their interplay opened up an opportunity for Crooks and he made no mistake with his finish.
It was 2-0 shortly afterwards. From a penalty corner, Greg Allen dodged a despairing tackle by the Kilkeel first runner before tucking it into the bottom corner.
Kilkeel were somewhat overawed by Cookstown's strong start and the Reds continued to pile on the pressure, moving the ball across the wide pitch to maximum effect.
A week ago Keith Black won the game against the same opposition from the spot and he repeated his penalty flick-scoring feat in this game after Ryan Millar's excellent shot was illegally stopped on the goal line.
Cole Chambers was on hand to make it 4-0 when he made sure from close in with a good finish.
It was already a fine performance from the Reds but the defence's stinginess really capped a fine day at Steelweld Park, Josh McCabe in goal not having to make a save throughout the afternoon.
At the other end it was not quite so easy with chances raining down upon the Kilkeel goal with alarming regularity.
Allen made it 5-0 with his sixteenth goal of the season, again from the short corner set piece albeit from the second phase of play.
Sloan got in on the act with five minutes remaining to cap a very good performance. He beat several would-be tackles before slamming the ball over the line on the reverse.
Michael Kerr completed the scoring with a fantastic flick off a penalty corner which beat the keeper high on his stickside. It was the schoolboy's seventh goal in a week after his heroics at the All Ireland Schools competition in Dublin.
The result leaves Cookstown second in the table with a game in hand over leaders Annadale. Kilkeel drop to third.
The Reds make the long journey to west Donegal next Saturday, November 5th to take on Raphoe in their fifth game of the Ulster Premier League season.
Cookstown: Josh McCabe, Dan Crooks, Godfrey Irwin, Paul Thompson, Matty Rollins, Keith Black, Cole Chambers, Greg Allen, Mark Crooks, Jon Ames, Ryan Millar, Michael Kerr, Timmy Sloan, Mark Rooney, Andrew McWhirter
Solo Fuels Man of the Match: Keith Black