RAPHOE LADIES remarkable season keeps on giving – and they’re now eyeing up promotion to the Premier League.
Raphoe 4 Ballyclare 2
Richard Tinney’s team has already had their best ever season, their first in Senior 1, but this thrilling win has them in pole position ahead of their final game away to Rainey in two weeks’ time.
Raphoe and Rainey are joint second in the table, but Raphoe’s superior goal difference means that they’ve that play-off game against Portadown well within their sights.
Kimberley Porter netted a trio of goals after Leanna Patterson cancelled out Suzanne Dickey’s opener for Ballyclare. Even if the dubious goals committee might reflect on her third, which took a wicked deflection, Porter can lay claim to a hat-trick of goals.
That opening goal from Dickey came courtesy of poor defending by Raphoe in the third minute, but Raphoe were level just two minutes later as Patterson fired past goalkeeper Sarah Coulter following a fine solo run.
Shannon Porter went close for Raphoe, but they took the lead on 20 minutes.
An excellent breakout from defence saw Leanne Patterson and Kimberley Porter combine. Patterson’s through ball was weighted perfectly and Porter’s finish was precise.
Raphoe went in search of a third, but had several shots block and at the other end it took a brave stop by Lyndsay Tinney to keep Ballyclare at bay.
Shannon Porter was close twice for Raphoe while Sarah Patterson fired wide as the hosts turned the screw.
They didn’t quite have it all their own way, though, as it took a good save from Denise McElhinney to keep out an effort from Roberta Beattie.
Just shy of the hour mark, Raphoe bagged their third. Leanne Patterson beat four Ballyclare players on a marauding run before she teed up Porter, who made no mistake.
After McElhinney denied Beattie again, Ballyclare did pull a goal back when Danielle McClenaghan found a way through, but Raphoe secured the precious win when Porter’s shot following a short corner was deflected to the net off a Ballyclare defender.
The dream is very much alive.
Raphoe: Denise McElhinney, Sarah Boal, Victoria Wray, Alison Stewart, Lyndsay Tinney, Shannon Porter, Esther Hume, Sarah Patterson, Kimberley Porter, Sabrina Barnett, Leanne Patterson, Rena Witherow, Jasmine Tinney.
Ballyclare: Sara Coulter, Kerry McLeod, Louise Holmes, Jacqui Hanley, Caroline McGookin, Caroline Darragh, Lorraine Ashcroft, Suzanne Dickey, Jessica West, Rebecca Campbell, Roberta Beattie, Dannielle McClenaghan.
Tags: