Raphoe travelled to Harlequinns knowing that a win would secure them Premier League status for another season.
Raphoe 1st XI 2-0 Harlequinns 1st XI
Scores from John Watt and George Patterson was enough for Raphoe to keep the pressure on Queens University, who they play next week.
The game didn’t start well for Raphoe as George Patterson seen yellow in the first few minutes for a professional foul on a Quinn’s player.
The game was played at a lightning quick pace as both teams were looking for the win for survival.
Quinn’s had the first opportunity from a short corner routine. but Rakin in the Raphoe goal made a great save with his stick.
Raphoe’s best chances fell to Tommy Orr when his reverse shot was well saved by the keeper. Orr was in again this time on a one on one with the keeper, the keeper stayed on his line forcing Orr to move on to his reverse where the keeper got down well to take the ball off the end of the young strikers stick.
Raphoe finally got on the score sheet when they won a short corner and Tom Eaton shot from the top of the was saved by the keeper, but the rebound fell to Orr and he attempted to flick it over the keeper but only managed to hit the keepers helmet.
The ball fell kindly to John Watt and the veteran player was composed in his finish from a tight angle to give the Raphoe team the lead.
The game was end to end and both teams had chances from open play and short corners.
The second half was a very physical encounter with both teams having players receive cards. Tom Eaton received a yellow for hitting the ball away after the whistle had blown.
A few seconds after Keith Meehan received a green when he stopped the Quinn’s in his tracks to prevent a counter on his team, leaving his team down to nine men.
Meehan received his second card after an altercation between both sets of players.
Raphoe got back to full strength again and they got another goal to give them some breathing space.
Raphoe had a sideline ball just outside the 23-metre line, Jonny Long found James Wilson at the top of the circle, Wilson took his time and slipped the ball to George Patterson who made no mistake and finished into the roof of the net.
Quinn’s had most of the possession for the last 10 minutes of the match, but couldn’t find a way past Rankin and the Raphoe defence.
Raphoe will now travel to Queens University next week, who sit one point above the Raphoe side.
Raphoe 1st XI: J.Rakin, T. Eaton, E.Lyttle, K.Meehan, J.Long, T.Orr, A.Crumley, I McG, G.Patterson, A.Meehan, John.Watt, S.Clevery, J.Wilson
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