Raphoe Ladies’ unbeaten start to the league season came to an end as they lost this very competitive derby fixture against a very determined and strong Omagh.
Raphoe 1 Omagh 2
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Lisa Pinkerton found Lauren McCollum from a short corner and her low drive from the edge of the circle was deflected to the net by Aimee Buchanan, who was to have a big influence on the outcome of this game.
Neither team was able to dominate, Raphoe had plenty of possession without really threatening while Omagh were dangerous on the break.
Young stand-in Raphoe goal-minder Megan Barnett saved well in the 28th minute from another Omagh short corner while at the other end Lyndsey Tinney’s was just wide as Raphoe finally came to life with a period of sustained pressure for the first time in the game.
After the break Omagh’s Lauren Mc Collum went close in the 42nd minute and as again began to dominate the ball Raphoe’s Emma Tinney forced a short corner following a strong run and shot in the 56th minute.
A minute later Sabrina Barnett’s excellent pass found Wendy Patterson who forced a fine save from the vigilante Alison Long.
Just a minute after that it was 0-2, Aimee Buchanan made another break, found Lauren McCollum and her quick release of the pass left Emma Short in the clear and she drilled the ball low to the net.
To their credit the Raphoe ladies kept trying to the end and after several short corners had been blocked, Emma Harper finally produced the goal their efforts deserved when she cracked home the ball to leave the final score 1-2 in the Omagh ladies favour and a victory their play deserved.
So a first defeat for Richard Tinney’s team but with games in hand and a talented squad they are sure to bounce back from this set-back and achieve a high finish in the league. Next week the entertain Victorians Ladies at the Royal and Prior School Grounds.
Raphoe: Megan Barnett, Arlyne Kilpatrick, Victoria Wray, Janice Nelson, Lisa Patterson, Lyndsey Tinney, Wendy Patterson, Leanne Patterson, Emma Harper, Zara Tinney , Sabrina Barnett, Alison Stewart, Katy Love , Louise Moran, Ivy Rankin.
Omagh: Alison Long, Jennifer Ellien, Aimee Buchanan, Lisa Pinkerton, Lauren McCollum, Amy McCollum, Heather Moffitt, Danielle Darragh, Neave Nethrey, Holly Swann, Amy Sproule, Emma Short, Lyndsey McKay.
