RAPHOE SUFFERED an unfortunately heavy defeat against Portadown in their Kirk Cup opener tonight at the Royal and Prior.
Raphoe 1 Portadown 5
Portadown opened the scoring on 17 minutes as Jonny Brown slotted past Jonny Rankin, the Raphoe goalkeeper, at the second attempt.
Raphoe had begun brightly, but the wind was removed from their sails as Portadown added goals on 30 and 32 minutes.
A superb solo effort by Mark Campbell, who blasted home after rounding two defenders, doubled the lead and Neil Gilmore’s low finish had Raphoe trailing 3-0 at the break.
[adrotate group=”37″]It was a stark reminder of how ruthless opponents at this level can be.
The home side had chances. Luke Witherow forced a wonderful save by Jamie Knipe following a short corner, while Alan Lyttle was wide soon after.
Knipe had to be at his best to keep out shots from Witherow and Kit Regan as Raphoe looked for the opener, only to be rocked back on their heels by Brown’s opener.
[adrotate group=”46″]After Witherow and Alexander Tinney went close, Knipe again had to be at his best to save from William Kilpatrick, but the hosts went for the interval trailing by three having had as much of the play in the first half.
Portadown added a fourth in the 58th minute when, after a fine run, Dan McKinney fired home.
[adrotate group=”38″]Raphoe did pull a goal back when Tinney fired home after William Kilpatrick had been denied by the Portadown ‘keeper, but the visitors wrapped up the win in the final minute when, following an excellent four-man move, Steve Johnston applied the finish.
Raphoe: Johnny Rankin, William Kilpatrick, Simon Goudie, Alan Meehan, Alexander Tinney, Ian McGonigle, Kit Regan, Luke Witherow, Paul Stewart, Stephen Cleverley, Keith Meehan, Evan Lyttle, Alan Lyttle, Tom Eaton, Jordan Devenney.
Portadown: Jamie Knipe, Robbie Scott, Gareth Titler, Jonny Brown, Timmy Watt, Dan McKinney, Adam Stevenson, McKenzie Bennett, Stevie Johnston, Gregory Croft, Mark Campbell, Matthew Winter, Stuart Kirkland, Neil Gilmore, Jamie Curran, Jonny Taylor.
Ladies at home tomorrow night
THE RAPHOE Ladies first XI take on Ballymoney ladies tomorrow evening at 8pm in the opening game of the Denman Ulster Shield. Raphoe are in a section with Ballymoney, Portadown, Queens and Dungannon.
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