League 01/03/09 @ 2:00PM -- Raphoe Town 1-1 Copany Rovers -- William Given (49) -- Venue: Deele College, Raphoe
Raphoe and Copany played out a stalemate on a fine Deele College surface in a result which will hamper the promotion hopes of the visitors.
Copany thought they had the lead on 3 minutes, when David Graham rolled the ball past the 'keeper but his effort was ruled out for offside following good work on the flank by Alan McGirr.
Raphoe started to win control of the midfield battle, and this spurred them on to become the more dominant team in the first 45 minutes, and they deservedly took the lead on 30 minutes when a through ball cut the Copany defense open, and the dangerous number 9 clipped the ball over the advancing Gary Ward for a fine goal.
David Graham came close to equalising for Copany on 37 minutes, but his well struck free kick cannoned off the upright.
Following some half-time soul-searching, the Copany side came out a completely different outfit in the second half, and equalised through 48 minutes when, after another crude challenge on Aaron Scott, a long free kick from William Given evaded both the flying efforts of Stephen Walls and Francie Johnston, but nestled in the corner of the net.
Copanys ascendency was highlighted by the attacking substitutions of the Copany Management team, with Thomas Given, Darryl Duncan, and the impressive Padraig Rooney all taking the field early in the second period as the visitors went in search of a winner.
On refection, a point was the fair outcome over the course of the 90 minutes, with Raphoe having the better of the opening period, and Copany dominant in the second.
