Raphoe Hockey Club claimed victory over Civil Service in a thrilling game yesterday.
After a great team performance last week Raphoe were left disappointed not to get anything from the game, conceding in the last minute to lose out 3-2.
Raphoe came out of the blocks well at Stormont, immediately under pressure from a high press. Raphoe played well down the left hand side breaking into the D through Cameron Nawn drawing the defence out winning a short corner in the first minute which Raphoe failed to convert. The next short corner was awarded to Service who converted a well worked corner beating the post man.
Raphoe came out in the second quarter well piling on the pressure playing some great hockey. Jake McKnight drove down the right braking into the D where he found Evan Lyttle standing free who fluffed his shot but the rebound fell to Jake whose first time shot hit a service defender on the line resulting in a penalty stroke. Keith Meehan stepped up and slotted home.
Raphoe on level terms pressed on winning another short corner. A well worked corner from Raphoe found Tom Eaton in acres of spaces to power his shot home. 2-1 Raphoe. Finding the lead Raphoe weren’t going to lay down and pressed on looking for a third, it came when Jake again drove the right hand side finding Tom in space in the D whose shot hit a service defender wrong footing the keeper and finding the net.
Into the 3rd quarter and Raphoe stepped off the gas allowing service back into the game giving away numerous short corners which allowed service to pull one back. Having allowed service back into the game Raphoe again applied pressure this time through Tom running down the right and squaring the ball back to Jake who first time shot beat the keeper. 4-2. Having pushed further in front Raphoe again allowed service into the game being reduced to 10 men service won another short corner which resulted in another goal for the home side.
Into the final quarter Raphoe settled well playing much better hockey. Service looking to level the game pressed high leaving space in behind. Keith played a great ball forward to find Jake who was left 1v1 against the keeper, beating the keeper his shot hit the defender on the line allowing Raphoe another stroke. Keith stepped up again this time fluffing his lines, his shot was straight at the keeper. Raphoe didn’t let this get them down pressing again Sam McKnight played a great ball to the top of the D to Mattew Lecky who beat 2 defenders rifling a shot past the keeper.
Full time: Raphoe 5-3 Civil Service
Scorers: Keith Meehan, Mattew lecky, Jake McKnight, Tom Eaton x2
Man of the Match: Jake McKnight
Next Week Raphoe travel to Limerick to take on Catholic Institute in the semi final of the Irish Hockey Challenge.
