Raphoe travelled to NICS for their first game in over a month but, despite two goals from Mathew Lecky, suffered a narrow defeat.
NICS 3
Raphoe 2
The visitors started very brightly, holding a lot of possession and creating plenty of chances. Raphoe played some great hockey down the right hand side and the pressure paid off as Johnny Long used great skill to win a short corner. From this, Matthew Lecky drilled the ball into the back of the net.
After scoring the first goal, Raphoe tails were up and hunted a second creating some good opportunities but failing to find the target.
In the second quarter Raphoe dropped the tempo and were made pay as NICS won a short corner and slotted past Jay Moore to draw level. Having conceded, Raphoe held out well, keeping possession and making NICS work for the ball.
In the third quarter both teams started strong and NICS got a lucky break, leading to a short corner from which they made it 2-1 with another drag flick. Finding themselves behind for the first time, Raphoe stepped up and played some great hockey just lacking the killer pass in the final third.
In the final quarter, the east Donegal men pushed up looking for an equaliser which left them short at the back which opened the pitch for NICS allowing them to win another short corner. From this, Moore made a good save but the rebound came up off his kicker into the roof of the net. Raphoe 1-3 NICS.
Now two goals behind, Raphoe pushed hard with Jake McKnight and Matthew Lecky linking up well and winning Raphoe another short corner. A well working short corner from Johnny long and Lecky found the back of the net for the second time. Now searching for an equaliser, Raphoe had the momentum. A good aerial forward from Sam McKnight found Lecky in the D who brilliantly won a short corner. A well worked corner found Johnny long who struck the crossbar with a brilliant strike.
However, it wasn’t enough and NICS held out for a 3-2 win.
