After an excellent midweek performance, which saw Raphoe beat Queens 2-1 at home, Raphoe finished a difficult season off on a high with an exciting win at home to Cliftonville.
Raphoe 6 Cliftonville 4
Saturday was the last game of the season for Raphoe as they hosted Cliftonville.
Raphoe started the match well by controlling the possession in the opening stages.
The possession paid off as Raphoe took the lead through Alan Meehan. Meehan got the final touch just in front of the keeper in the Cliftonville goal after a cracking ball into the circle from his brother Keith.
Cliftonville got back on level terms from a penalty flick after Keith Meehan was judged to have stopped the ball from crossing the line with his body.
The penalty flick was poorly executed but somehow managed to get over the line. The half ended 1 – 1.
Cliftonville took the lead at the start of the second half through another penalty flick after Evan Lyttle stopped the ball from crossing the line with a foot.
Raphoe got back into the match when Jonny Long won his team a short corner and Simon Goudie placed his drag flick into the top left of the Cliftonville goal.
Raphoe started to press more and got back into the lead when Raphoe worked the ball down the right and Ian McGonigle’s cross found Jonny Long who’s first time shot found the back of the net.
Raphoe got their fourth goal after Long won another short corner and Goudie converted his drag flick.
Cliftonville got one back through a short corner, but it wasn’t long until Raphoe restored their two goal lead when William Kilpatrick drilled home his effort.
Cliftonville made it 5 – 4 when they got another short corner and yet another goal.
Long got Raphoe’s last goal when John Watt played the ball in from the right and James Wilson flicked the ball on at the near post, Long scored his second goal when his first time shot found the back of the net.
An eventful end to Raphoes season as they ran out 6 – 4 winners.
