CHAMPIONS Cockhill Celtic ran out comfortable winners against Finn Harps Reserves at a blustery but dry Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds earlier today.
Cockhill Celtic 4 Finn Harps Reserves 0
The home side started on the front foot and on five minutes Daniel Doherty tested Adrian McLaughlin in the Harps net with a low drive from 20 yards.
McLaughlin got down well diving to his right and the ball was cleared for a corner by Lee McLaughlin.
On 12 minutes Doherty released Laurence Toland in on goal with a neat pass but McLaughlin was out early to make a smart save pushing Tolands effort wide for a corner as he dived to his left.
Lee McColgan’s corner was allowed to drop inside the 6-yard box but was eventually cleared by Jack Doherty.
Finn Harps didn’t really get going in the first half and found themselves a goal down on 40 minutes when a Ronan Doherty corner for the home side dropped inside the 6-yard box and nestled into the net with the last touch coming off the unfortunate keeper.
Cockhill doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time when a Lee McColgan delivery, from a corner on the right, was met by a glancing header from the unmarked Toland that made its way to the net past the keeper’s right arm.
Harps found themselves down to ten men 8 minutes into the second period when midfielder Jack Doherty picked up his second yellow of the game.
This was a big blow for the young Harps side as Doherty was arguably the best player for the visitors.
Cockhill added number three on 63 minutes when Lee McColgan played a pass into James Bradley’s feet inside the area.
Bradley lost his man he played a great ball across the area for Toland to tap home from five yards in the middle of the goal giving the keeper no chance.
Cockhill added number four on 73 minutes when Christopher McLaughlin got his head to a Bradley cross to score from eight yards, again the keeper having no chance
A game that could have been much closer had it not been for the sending off but Cockhill showed their experience against a youthful Harps Reserve side to earn a much-needed three points
