Raphoe eased past a depleted Bangor team to continue to build this season’s points tally in a completely one-sided affair.
Raphoe 10 Bangor 0
Four first quarter goals set the tone for the game with Simon Goudie opening the scoring.
From Raphoe’s third penalty corner, in the eighth minute, Goudie rifled in a drag flick to the top left of the goal. His first goal since the opening Premier League fixture.
The flood gates began to open as Raphoe applied the pressure to the Bangor backline.
Lee Stewart popped up with the second with a rare goal, his first since returning in the summer, in the 11th minute.
Good running from George Patterson in the 13th minute and neat stick skills from Jonny Long in the 15th minute saw Raphoe cruising by the ‘small break’.
Vincent Devenney who was stepping at coaching for Richard Eaton this week, spoke to the Raphoe men not to let up in the second quarter.
Tom Eaton, who was solid and composed in possession throughout, advanced from right back to win Raphoe’s fourth penalty corner. Goudie converted the set piece for his second and 5-0 at half time.
After the break, with the home team comfortable, Raphoe’s younger players – West, Eaton, Orr and Wilson – got to express themselves freely
on the Premier League stage. Zack West impressed between the midfield and defensive lines. While James Wilson continued in his good vain of form with threatening attacking runs and a high defensive work rate.
Tommy Orr was again a constant thorn in the Seasiders’ side and was good value for the couple of goals that he ended the match with.
Orr’s first, Raphoe’s sixth, came from a long through ball to the Raphoe forward. He made his way to the baseline where he sold the Bangor keeper a dummy before rounding him and coolly slotting into the goal.
Goudie then completed his hat-trick from another penalty corner this time flicking low with the previous 2 efforts being high.
From Raphoe’s next set piece Eaton came forward from the back to hit a pile driver into the bottom left corner. The highlight of the game for the home side was definitely the efficiency of the penalty corner routines with 4 out of 8 converted.
Orr added his second before the third quarter was finished with another composed finish when he was released in a one-on-one with the Bangor ‘keeper.
Gavin Lecky wrapped up the scoring after slotting home after a mazy run to record Raphoe’s biggest victory for several seasons.
Raphoe will certainly face tougher tasks ahead with David Moore in the Raphoe net never tested and Evan Lyttle and Alan Meehan a bigger attacking presence than their normal defensive expertise.
Current Premier League champions visit the Royal and Prior next week for a 14:30 pass back in the final fixture of 2019.
Raphoe: D. Moore, T. Eaton, E. Lyttle, S. Goudie, A. Meehan, Z. West, L. Stewart, J. Wilson, G. Lecky, G. Patterson, T. Orr, J. Long. Coach: Vincent Devenney.
