Current league leaders Raphoe travelled to Newforge sporting complex in Belfast, to take on second placed PSNI.
PSNI 1
Raphoe 2
The east Donegal side dominated early possession, but PSNI had the best of the chances hitting the visitors on the counter in the opening minutes.
Raphoe held off and finally made their possession count when Jonny Long found the back of the net after good work down the right from Matthew Lecky.
He got into the circle and his ball across the goal mouth was poorly cleared from the PSNI defence and it fell kindly to Long who was free in the circle and his shot found the bottom corner.
Raphoe doubled their lead with a great team move. Firstly great skills from Tom Eaton who made space for a shot at goal where Ryan MacBeth was on hand to redirect it into the roof of the PSNI net.
Half time 2-0
Raphoe didn’t start the third quarter well and PSNI got back into the game. A careless challenge from Long saw Raphoe concede a penalty corner, which led to a controversial umpiring decision. The umpire seemed to have blown for a free against Raphoe, before the ball had crossed the line, only to then award the goal to leave the score 2-1.
Raphoe had chances to restore their two goal advantage with the best chance falling to Macbeth. When it would have been easier to score, somehow hit the post, and the rebound came off the attacker and went out of play.
Raphoe were saved a red face when netminder, Blake Boal, made a match winning save as the defence left a PSNI attacker free in the circle – Boal charged the attacker blocking his shot keeping the match at 2-1.
Raphoe now travel to Cookstown High School for the final of the Ulster Linden Cup against CIYMS on 26th March, with pushback at 3.30pm
Raphoe: Boal, I. Blackburn, S. Goudie, L. Stewart, A. Meehan, M. Lecky, S. Mc Knight, T. Eaton, I. McGonigle, J. Long, R. MacBeth, G. Patterson, M. Peoples and K. Meehan
Sponsors – Railway Gym
Coach – R. Tinney
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