Stunning display by Cookstown with super eight

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A stunning second half of attacking hockey saw the Reds cruise to a big win over North Down at Steelweld Park on Saturday.

Greg Allen was in outstanding form and landed four goals - to bring his tally to twelve in the league and cup.

The final score was 8-0.

Despite the score, the game was not all in one direction, particularly in the first half, and North Down did cause the Reds some problems early on.

It was almost five minutes before Cookstown really settled into the game when a defence-splitting pass by Johnny Ames garnered a short corner. A series of set plays ensued with Allen slotting home from the fourth to maintain his record of scoring in every Cookstown game this season.

North Down steadied the ship before another flurry of short corners, as well as several chances from open play, went without conversion by the Reds. Tobi Deppermann was on hand to save twice when one-on-one with North Down players.

With ten minutes left in the half, Allen nabbed his brace to put Cookstown 2-0 up at the break.

It took three minutes of the second period for the Reds to extend their lead. Great interplay between Daniel Crooks and Stuart Smyth saw the latter tuck the ball home.

Mark Crooks and Allen had chances before a break upfield by North Down saw the ball rifled over the bar under pressure by Keith Black.

Crooks then won another penalty corner which Ames directed past the 'keeper for 4-0 before Michael Kerr slotted home at the back post after a fantastic run by Ryan Millar.

It was 6-0 on 63 minutes when Allen reversed into the bottom corner after his run was picked out by Ames.

A lovely bit of interplay saw the Reds run the ball from deep inside their own half to put Mark Crooks in a great position on the byline. He picked out Allen who roofed it for his fourth of the day.

It was 8-0 with three minutes remaining. A thing of beauty, there was a lovely one-two in the tight spaces of the circle before Mark Crooks rocked the backboards.

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