Saturday, November 15, 2008
Cooke's Triple Tames Trinity
Manchester Trinity 3s.......1
BGSOB ............................4
Cooke (3)
Chandler
A Matt Cooke hat-trick helped the Old Boys to overcome a dangerous Trinity side on Saturday, ensuring they kept pace at the top of the table.
The opening fifteen minutes were dominated by the Manchester side, who moved the ball well when attacking. Although they created several openings, the Bury defence allowed the home side few clear – cut chances, with Jonny Lowe’s timely clearance blocking the closest threat to goal.
Moments later The Old Boys opened the scoring, albeit very much against the run of play. Striker Matt Cooke produced an excellent piece of individual skill and determination to somehow squeeze the ball in from the tightest of angles, on his reverse stick.
This provided Bury with the kick start they needed, as they then dominated possession for the remainder of the half. Cooke and Waywell were constant threats with their clever movement, and received excellent supply from Foster and Robinson on the wings. With Matthews, McManus, Hillary and Wright working tirelessly in midfield, the Old Boys looked to increase their advantage, but failed to do so before half time.
Minutes into the second half however, Bury did double their lead. A clever touch round a defender from Foster led to a cross to the far post, where Nathan Chandler was on hand to calmly collect his first league goal with a controlled finish.
Even with a two goal lead, Bury could not relax, as Trinity pushed to get back into the game. They finally got the reward their good play deserved when a half cleared short corner was drilled in to halve the deficit.
However, the Old Boys were not fazed by this and continued to play their passing hockey. Waywell was looking increasingly dangerous and saw two efforts narrowly miss the target. Finally, Cooke restored Bury’s two goal advantage as he collected the ball in the ‘D,’ turned neatly and slotted the ball past the keeper.
Bury were now playing some excellent hockey, highlighted by captain Tariq Sheikh’s audacious aerial ball to Cooke that nearly produced another chance for Waywell.
With minutes remaining Cooke completed his hat-trick following an incisive counter attack. Breaking from an attacking corner, the Old Boys moved the ball to Robinson who in turn found Cooke. Yet again Cooke controlled the ball, turned and produced a composed finish to seal an excellent personal display.
This was an excellent, competitive game between two sides who looked to play good hockey and credit must go to Trinity for their attacking approach and endless determination.
Squad: Fernando, J. Lowe, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Hillary, McManus, Matthews, Robinson, Foster, Cooke, Waywell, Berry, Wright, Dowd, Chandler.
MOM: Cooke.
BGSOB ............................4
Cooke (3)
Chandler
A Matt Cooke hat-trick helped the Old Boys to overcome a dangerous Trinity side on Saturday, ensuring they kept pace at the top of the table.
The opening fifteen minutes were dominated by the Manchester side, who moved the ball well when attacking. Although they created several openings, the Bury defence allowed the home side few clear – cut chances, with Jonny Lowe’s timely clearance blocking the closest threat to goal.
Moments later The Old Boys opened the scoring, albeit very much against the run of play. Striker Matt Cooke produced an excellent piece of individual skill and determination to somehow squeeze the ball in from the tightest of angles, on his reverse stick.
This provided Bury with the kick start they needed, as they then dominated possession for the remainder of the half. Cooke and Waywell were constant threats with their clever movement, and received excellent supply from Foster and Robinson on the wings. With Matthews, McManus, Hillary and Wright working tirelessly in midfield, the Old Boys looked to increase their advantage, but failed to do so before half time.
Minutes into the second half however, Bury did double their lead. A clever touch round a defender from Foster led to a cross to the far post, where Nathan Chandler was on hand to calmly collect his first league goal with a controlled finish.
Even with a two goal lead, Bury could not relax, as Trinity pushed to get back into the game. They finally got the reward their good play deserved when a half cleared short corner was drilled in to halve the deficit.
However, the Old Boys were not fazed by this and continued to play their passing hockey. Waywell was looking increasingly dangerous and saw two efforts narrowly miss the target. Finally, Cooke restored Bury’s two goal advantage as he collected the ball in the ‘D,’ turned neatly and slotted the ball past the keeper.
Bury were now playing some excellent hockey, highlighted by captain Tariq Sheikh’s audacious aerial ball to Cooke that nearly produced another chance for Waywell.
With minutes remaining Cooke completed his hat-trick following an incisive counter attack. Breaking from an attacking corner, the Old Boys moved the ball to Robinson who in turn found Cooke. Yet again Cooke controlled the ball, turned and produced a composed finish to seal an excellent personal display.
This was an excellent, competitive game between two sides who looked to play good hockey and credit must go to Trinity for their attacking approach and endless determination.
Squad: Fernando, J. Lowe, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Hillary, McManus, Matthews, Robinson, Foster, Cooke, Waywell, Berry, Wright, Dowd, Chandler.
MOM: Cooke.
