Battling Raphoe lose out to South Antrim after action-packed first half

Raphoe firsts travelled to South Antrim in their second game of the season, hoping to get some points on the board.

South Antrim 3 Raphoe 1

The 1st half saw all the action as all four goals were scored before half time.

Raphoe found themselves a man down after Alan Meehan was given a green card for a professional foul on a South Antrim attacker. Soon after Raphoe were a goal down as well, when South took the lead.

A well placed short corner found the bottom right hand corner of Davy Moore’s net.

Raphoe’s Tommy Orr and Jordan Devenney had two good chances to pull back on level terms but the South defence was up for the challenge.

South Antrim got a second goal from another Raphoe defensive error. They failed to clear their lines from a short corner, South managed to keep the ball alive in the Raphoe circle and finally squeezed the ball over the line.

It wasn’t long until Raphoe conceded a third goal. This came when John Watt had the ball stolen from him on the attacking 23 metre line, unfairly in Raphoes opinion, and South scored on the counter.

Raphoe got one back five minutes before half time to reduce the deficit through Jonny Long. Simon Goudie’s drag flick was saved by the South Antrim ‘keeper, it fell to Jordan Devenney, who’s reverse shot found Long on the back post to tuck the ball away. The half ended 3-1.

Raphoe weren’t dead and buried going into the second period and dominated the second half with a great team performance.

However even though they racked up six short corners to try and take advantage, they could not find the back of the net.

The match ended 3-1, with Raphoe knowing they could have earned three points from this match.

RAPHOE 2ND XI 

Raphoes seconds travelled to a strong Mossley seconds team, the final score was 6-2. Raphoe stayed strong in the 1st half with keeper Reece Gallagher keeping the scoreline to 2-0,  Stephen Cleverly found the net at the end of the half.

Mossley got a 3rd goal, but Raphoe responded well, with a goal of their own through a well struck reverse shot from Jordan Devenney. However Mossley turned up the heat and got three more goals before the end of the game.

RAPHOE 3RD XI

Raphoe thirds got some points on the board as they drew 2-2 at home to Ballymena with Will Curran scoring a brace for the homeside on his return to the playing field.