RAPHOE STAY IN THIRD position in the Premier League after a hard-earned win over North Down at the Royal and Prior on Saturday.
Raphoe 3 North Down 2
Although North Down are propping up the table with only two points so far this season Raphoe knew that they would be no push overs.
Raphoe started the game well and took the lead inside 15 minutes when a quick break down the right hand side saw Luke Witherow score a wonder goal – at full flight he lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper and into the top corner.
Raphoe kept the pressure on after this and should have gone further in front with Kit Regan and Keith Meehan missing good chances.
At the other end North Down were kept at bay by Raphoe’s defence with Simon Goudie, Alan Meehan, Ben Wallace and Alexander Tinney making some timely tackles and interceptions.
North Down equalised from a penalty stroke after the ball had been stopped on the line by a Raphoe foot following a short corner.
Shortly before half time Raphoe regained their lead from short corner of their own – Ben Wallace’s shot was saved and when the rebound fell to William Kilpatrick he squeezed the ball over the line under the keeper’s stick. The half ended 2 – 1 in Raphoe’s favour.
North Down tried hard to get back into the game pushing a lot of men forward and this left gaps at the back for Raphoe’s forwards to exploit but they couldn’t increase their lead as North Down’s keeper pulled off several good saves from George Patterson, Luke Witherow and Alan Lyttle.
North Down equalised again when a quick break of their own saw them outnumber Raphoe’s defenders and when the ball fell to a North Down forward in the circle he tucked the ball past Rankin and into the bottom corner.
With time running out Rodney Bates made an inspired substitution bringing on Vincent Devenney and within minutes Raphoe retook the lead – Devenney combined with Kilpatrick down the right and when he got down along the North Down backline he squared the ball to the flick spot for the onrushing George Patterson to slam home past the helpless keeper.
North Down again tried to get back into the game but Raphoe held firm to collect all three points and ensure they stay third in the league behind Instonians and Kilkeel.
Next week Raphoe make the long journey to second placed Kilkeel, push back for this match is 2.30pm.
Raphoe: Johnny Rankin, Alexander Tinney, Simon Goudie, Ben Wallace, Alan Meehan, Ian McGonigle, Kit Regan, William Kilpatrick, Keith Meehan, Luke Witherow, Alan Lyttle, George Patterson, Paul Stewart, Stephen Cleverley, Vincent Devenney. Coach: Rodney Bates. Manager: Richard Eaton.
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