Raphoe Hockey Club Notes for this weekend:
Raphoe 1st XI travelled to Antrim Forum on Saturday morning to take on Antrim in their final Linden Cup Group Match
A win today would see them advance to the knock out stages of the Linden Cup and the young Raphoe side achieved just that. They started well and held their own in the first quarter with some nice possession inside the Antrim half creating chances and this pressure allowed Jonny Long to slot one home at the back post to move Raphoe into the lead in the middle of the first quarter.
Into the second quarter and it was Matty Lecky that got the second for Raphoe from a magnificant solo run from the centre of the pitch and a stunning reverse shot from the edge of the circle. This left Raphoe 2-0 at half time
Second half and Raphoe held strong and had to start to soak some pressure from Antrim. The back 4 working well and not allowing their opponents any easy opportunities. Lee Stewart and Lecky both collecting green cards during the second half but Raphoe held on and secured the clean sheet. Match finishing 2-0 in favour of Raphoe
The 2nd XI hosted Banbridge this afternoon with an early push back of 12.45pm. A tight match throughout but Raphoe Clinched the Win deep in the second half. First quarter and both teams creating plenty of chances but it was George Patterson’s impressive goalbound top corner effort stopped on the goal line illegally that seen Raphoe awarded with a Penalty Stroke. Ian Blackburn stepped up and confidently converted the resulting stroke. But a moment of weakness for Raphoe and Banbridge took advantage and claimed their first goal of the day with first quarter finishing 1-1. Into the 2nd quarter and both teams creating chances but a top drawer pass from Patterson found Nigel Woods who fired a Reverse Stick shot into the back of the Bann Goals. Half time and 2-1 Raphoe.
3rd quarter and this time it was Banbridge that found the Raphoe goal and got it back to 2-2. Into the final quarter and it was Woods again who found the back of the net after a lucky penalty corner routine worked in Raphoes favour. After a bad push out Barnett fired the ball back into the Bann Circle, after a a few deflections, Woods poked it home and secured the 3-2 win for Raphoe.
Standout players Jack Lannon & debutant Reece Kilpatrick.
Antrim also hosted our 3rd XI Men and what a game it was. 4x goals scored in the final quarter of the game!
After a tight 1st quarter and few chances either side the score line was scoreless but just before halftime Raphoe got their chance with a short corner. Trevor Patterson made no mistake and rocketed home a straight hit that nearly broke the Antrim goals! Into the 3rd quarter and the score remained 1-0 to Raphoe.
It wasn’t until the final quarter before Raphoe managed to add to the score board with an impressive solo run from Jake McKnight into the Antrim circle and his shot found the back of the net. Raphoe 2-0. Minutes later and McKnights next strike was heading wide of the target but Sam McBeth managed to deflect it into the back of the Antrim goals to put Raphoe 3-0 up.
With only few minutes left to play Antrim were awarded a penalty stroke which got them back to 3-1 and seconds later Antrim broke on the counter attack and claimed another leaving the score 3-2 with seconds on the clock. But Raphoe stood firm and seen the game out and awarded the 3 points they were deserved
Raphoe 1st XI travelled to The Glade on Saturday morning to take on Mossley in another Linden Cup Group Match
Mossley fresh down from Premier League hockey last season was always gonna be a difficult opponent to deal with. But the young Raphoe side started well and held their own in the first quarter with some nice possession inside the Mossley half allowed Jonny Long to Slip through Matty Lecky and Lecky made no mistake and slotted it home for Raphoe. 1st quarter finished and Raphoe 1-0 up.
Mossley started to get back into the game in the second quarter and put the pressure on Raphoe’s back 4 and clawed back 3x goals. Half time and Mossley led 3-1
Into the second half and Mossley really started to show their class and experience against a tired Raphoe side and things went all there way with 3x more goals in the third quarter half finishing the game with harsh and unreflecting 10-1 scoreline. Raphoe face Antrim next week and a win will see them qualify from Group Stage
Raphoe 2nds
On a cold Friday night in Cookstown. Raphoe travelled away to Cookstown 3rds in the second match of the league cup.
With a tough game expected it definitely lived up to expectations.
Raphoe started strong with young William Meehan making a great run into the d and winning a short. But Raphoe couldn’t get the set piece on target.
2nd quarter proved more of the same. On a game that was full of intensity chances were hard came by with 2 short corners again coming to nothing.
Into the second half and Cookstown came out strong but a lot of great defending by the Raphoe backline to keep the game level and had a few chances of their own going the other way with Ian mcginigle flashing a reverse shot just wide(went out for a sideline ball!!)
Into the 4th quarter and this is where games are won and lost. And Raphoe battled hard creating the best of the chances. William Meehan fed through 1 on 1 from George Patterson denied by a great save. Then Mcgonigle on the reverse again hitting the side netting. Then disaster strikes. Raphoe feeling they should have had a short corner at 1 end came to nothing and with the pace of the Cookstown break, hearts were broke. A slap from outside the D took the faintest of touches to give Cookstown the lead with 2 minutes remaining. Cookstown then held strong to see out the win. All in all a great game of hockey that was played in the right spirits. In a team filled with old heads it has to be said that the young Raphoe lads Jack Lannon, Jamie Russel and William Meehan were outstanding
Raphoe 3rd XI game with called off as Lisnagarvey would not travel. Awarded with a 3-0 win and points but unfortunate for the lads to not get a game.
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