RAPHOE TWICE came from behind to defeat Mossley and end an encouraging season on a winning note.
Raphoe 3 Mossley 2
Ben Wallace netted a brace, with Alan Lyttle also on the mark, as Rodney Bates’ team took a win that lifts them into third spot in the Ulster Premier League.
Belfast Harlequins are three points behind the Raphoe men and have a better scoring difference so a win against Newry Olympic on Tuesday night would see them pip Raphoe to third.
That said, a fourth-place finish in Ulster Hockey’s top division would still represent Raphoe’s best campaign and they showed all the grit and determination today of a side looking end the term with a victory.
They started with good purpose and it took a wonderful save by Ben McMullen to keep out a stinging drive by Ian McGonigle.
Luke Witherow and McGonigle combined to set up Lyttle, who shot over the top from a good position.
Mossley took the lead in the 21st minute and it came against the run of play. Johnny Rankin, the Raphoe goalkeeper, did well to save the initial effort, but the rebound by Joel Cathcart was high to the Raphoe net.
Rankin saved well from Colin McClean and it wasn’t until the eighth minute of the second half that the home side drew level.
Alexander Tinney, Wallace and Witherow linked well. Witherow’s shot was blocked, but Lyttle found a way through with the rebound.
Raphoe fell behind again just six minutes latter when David Glenny wonderfully finished off from a short corner.
Yet, Raphoe weren’t going to fly the white flag and Wallace netted a brilliant equaliser in the 52nd minute.
It was a strike that ignited Raphoe. Wallace had one effort disallowed while Lyttle went close after being teed up by Vincent Devenney.
Raphoe turned the screw and did strike the winner in the 65th minute as Wallace fired a cracking effort past McMullen.
Raphoe: Johnny Rankin, Simon Goudie, William Wauchope, Alan Meehan, Paul Stewart, Alexander Tinney, Ben Wallace, Alan Lyttle, Luke Witherow, Vincent Devenney, Ian McGonigle, Stephen Cleverley, William Kilpatrick, Stewart Stevenson.
Mossley: Ben McMullen, Alan Mullen, Philip Kane, Tim Moreland, Mark Moreland, Matthew Sullivan, Philip Hamill, Joel Cathcart, David Glenny, Richard McClintock, Aaron Boyd, Colin McLean, Rory Brown, Neal McCausland.
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