Bangor                           4 – 2                   Raphoe                                         20^th December 2008.

After last week’s disappointing home defeat to Mossley, Raphoe travelled to Bangor with hope that they could get something out of the game.

Raphoe got off to the worst possible start when they conceded after only 15 seconds when an aerial ball through the Raphoe defence fell to Gareth Morton whose shot was deflected over David Buchanan by Simon Hunter. With Raphoe still getting over this setback, Bangor doubled their lead from their first short corner – Jamie McAuley’s shot from the top of the circle was deflected past Buchanan and into the net. Raphoe settled after this and gradually got back into the game and Stuart Stevenson forced the Bangor keeper into a smart save low to his right. Midway through the half Raphoe pulled a goal back when good link up play between Alan Patterson, JP McGranaghan and James Corry ended with Stuart Stevenson slotting the ball home. However Raphoe’s joy was short lived, when straight from the push back Bangor won a penalty stroke when unsighted, Rodney Bates stopped the ball on the line with his foot and Adam Reading stepped up and slotted the ball past Buchanan to restore Bangor’s 2 goal lead. Raphoe had more chances to score before half time but Ian McGonigle shot narrowly wide and Stuart Stevenson brought another good save out the keeper. Two minutes from half time JP McGranaghan had a reverse stick shot go horribly wrong when he failed to connect with the ball. The half ended 3 – 1 to Bangor.

Into the second half and Raphoe pushed forward looking to get back into the game with John Watt and James Corry linking up well on the right but they couldn’t force a way through the Bangor defence. Ten minutes into the half Alan Patterson came closest to reducing the deficit when his reverse stick shot sailed just over the crossbar. Raphoe were then dealt a major blow when Bangor increased their lead from their first chance of the half – Adam Reading scoring his second goal of the game from a short corner. Raphoe again pushed forward but between good goalkeeping and solid defending Bangor held onto their 3 goal lead. With five minutes left James Corry pulled a goal back for Raphoe but it was too little too late and Bangor held out for a 4 – 2 victory.

This result leaves Raphoe firmly rooted to the bottom of the table with 1 point from 7 games and 3 points behind Mossley. Raphoe’s next game is at home to Annadale on the 3^rd of January 2009. Push back for this game is 2.30pm at the Royal School Grounds, Raphoe.

Team: David Buchanan, William Kilpatrick (Capt.), Andrew Corry, Richard Tinney, Rodney Bates, JP McGranaghan, Ian McGonigle, Matthew Lecky, Alan Patterson, James Corry, Stuart Stevenson, John Watt, Alan Meehan, George Patterson. Coach: Alejandro Arias.

Raphoe Hockey Club