Raphoe got a timely first win of the Ulster Premier League season in dramatic fashion at the Royal and Prior School Grounds today.
Raphoe 3 Antrim 2
Team captain Simon Goudie stepped up with the 74th minute winner for Raphoe against their fellow strugglers.
Keith Meehan’s early goal was cancelled out by Alex McBride and Andy Linford, but Raphoe’s hopes were lifted when Tommy Orr drew level.
Raphoe thought their chance had gone when Alan Meehan saw a penalty saved, but Goudie’s late heroics saved the day.
Raphoe took the lead after just four minutes when Keith Meehan was quickest to react for a blocked short corner to flick home past Andy Heatley.
Orr was close to a second soon after, but he fired just wide after Meehan, James Wilston and William Kilpatrick broke with purpose.
Antrim drew level in the 14th minute when McBride netted after Raphoe didn’t deal with a ball into the danger zone.
Jordan Devenney drew a fine save from Heatley, but Antrim hit the front as Linford smashed past Davy Moore, the Raphoe ‘keeper, on the half-hour mark.
Devenney again forced a save from Heatley while Keith Meehan teed up Jonny Long, who was narrowly wide with his shot.
Raphoe were really turning the screw and Heatley was at his best to prevent an equaliser when he saved from a couple of Raphoe attackers at a short corner.
The pressure paid off on 55 minutes as Orr rammed home after superb play from John Watt and Kilpatrick,
Raphoe sensed a victory with Simon Goudie and Kilpatrick forcing the tide.
After Alan Meehan’s penalty was wonderfully saved by Heatley, Raphoe might have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t their day.
Kilpatrick, after Orr made the incision, was thwarted once more, but the hosts finally got their reward as captain Goudie worked a one-two with Tom Eaton before hammering past Heatley to seal the deal.
Raphoe: Davy Moore, Simon Goudie, Evan Lyttle, Tom Eaton, William Kilpatrick, Alan Meehan, Keith Meehan, James Wilson, Jonny Long, Tommy Orr, Jordan Devenney, Mark Rutherford, Steven Cleverley, Zack West, John Watt, Jake Watt.
Antrim: Andy Heatley, Alan Myllan, Andy Linford, Sammy Clyde, Ricky McClintock, Adam Morrison, Andrew Morrison, Ryan McCrea, Alex McBride, Thomas Allen, Dan Thornton, Stevie Gleghorne.
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