RAPHOE were denied by a late Mossley equaliser in the Ulster Premier League at the Royal and Prior School Grounds.
Raphoe XI 2 Mossley XI 2
With both teams on equal points in the Ulster premier league, this was sure to be a tight encounter.
Mossley started the better team and with Raphoe missing Simon Goudie and Jordan Devenney, it took time to adjust to their new lineup.
Raphoe could only manage a couple of chances with Patterson and Wilson being both denied by the Mossley stopper.
David Moore was the busier of the two goalkeepers, in the Raphoe goal and had to deal with some early shots on goal.
Raphoe defended well and adjusted to their new line out with the first quarter ending 0-0.
The second quarter found Raphoe on the front foot and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. Luke Johnston won a short corner and Matthew Lecky made no mistake in riffling a drag flick past the Mossley stopper.
Raphoe ended the second quarter starting to look good for the win.
The third quarter seen some more good play from Raphoe, with Jake Watt and James Wilson combining well in midfield, winning numerous short corners along with Zack West and eventually Raphoe got their second goal.
Adrian Crumley found space on the right of midfield and fired a ball dangerously across the Mossley goal, the pass striking a Mossley defenders foot resulting in a penalty corner to Raphoe. Lecky again stepped up with another drag flick, 2-0 Raphoe.
There was more action to come as Mossley fired straight back with an effort striking off the crossbar and bouncing down inches behind the goal line. 2-1 to Raphoe heading into the final quarter.
The final quarter was very evenly contested with both teams reduced to 10 men. First, Mossley with a high challenge on Tom Eaton and then Raphoe defender Lecky got sin binned for a tackle inside the Raphoe circle.
Raphoe held on but shortly after returning to full strength, they conceded an equaliser, a strong shot from the edge of the circle squeezing its way into the bottom corner of the Raphoe goal.
The game finished 2-2, probably a fair result but Raphoe left feeling disappointed having lost a two goal lead.
Raphoe 1st XI have a week off next week before facing an away encounter with current league champions and favourites Cookstown.
Raphoe: D.Moore, M.Lecky, A.Meehan, T.Eaton, E.Lyttle, J.Watt, A.Crumley, Z.West, L.Stewart, J.Wilson, K.Meehan, G.Patterson, C.Johnston, L.Johnston
