Senior League 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 4-0 Derg Valley
It’s always a pleasure to welcome the team travelling from Castlederg and despite it being a long haul for the girls from the West, it never seems to dampen their ardour with the match played in great spirits. Saturday’s contest was no exception.

Donaghadee won the toss for first pass back and were quick to exert good pressure on the visitors’ defence, the early intention setting the scene for much of the match. With Catherine Armstrong wide on the right and Helen Herron occupying the left of midfield, Donaghadee looked to spread the play as much as possible, and both these players made good inroads down the flanks.

The story of much of the first quarter was Donaghadee versus the Derg keeper, the latter pulling off some tremendous saves to keep the game scoreless as the Dee pressed forward. There started to be some joy for Captain Kerry Kennedy at the top of the circle and the space eventually told with Kerry pulling off a terrific reverse stick shot to give Donaghadee a deserved lead as the first quarter drew to a close.

Donaghadee’s second goal was almost a carbon copy: Carolyn Scott made a run to take the defenders away to create the space for Kerry to unleash her second reverse shot of the match to double Donaghadee’s lead.

With the Dee’s defence under very little pressure Jodie Ingham, Jan Morrow and Rachel McClatchey began picking off attempted through balls higher up the pitch – reducing keeper Nicola Patton to an interested spectator for spells – and the Dee dominance continued.

Not to be left out, Sarah Hooks intercepted one Derg attack just inside the defensive half and had the vision to pull off a route one counter attack that found Kerrie Turtle perfectly positioned on the back post. With the deftest of flicks Kerrie deflected the ball goalward, almost before the Derg defenders had time to react: a wonderfully instinctive finish from an excellent through ball!

After a slightly sluggish third quarter Donaghadee came back out for the final period and picked up the early tempo: Paige Reilly in particular doing well at the base of the midfield diamond to direct play and keep driving the forward momentum. In a late goalmouth scramble in which both Row Moore and Helen were unlucky not to get past the Derg keeper, Kerry was on hand to add her third and Donaghadee’s fourth to round off an excellent performance and pleasing result.

Helen was voted Star player for her tireless running in midfield and her nearly-goal, and she thanked Mike Smyth for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action away to Castle in Carrickfergus on Saturday, pass back 2.30pm.

Junior 9A: Banbridge 2-1 Donaghadee LHC 2XI
On Saturday 8th October DLHC 2s travelled to Havelock Park to face Banbridge 5s. 

Donaghadee started the match really well with forwards Ruth Coulter and Leanna McGimpsey-Young keeping pressure on the opposition’s defence. Despite winning numerous penalty corners, Donaghadee could not find the back of the net, and the first quarter ended goal-less. 

Coming into the second quarter defenders Miya Van Der Schyff, Deborah Gilmore, Zoe Turtle and Floss Scott found themselves surrounded by Banbridge attackers. Keeper Emma McGimpsey-Young made several excellent saves, however a strong strike from the opposition made the score 1-0 to Banbridge at the end of the first half. 

The second half saw a second ball from Banbridge cross the Dee line. However midfielders Caroline Davison and Emily Morris worked the ball wonderfully through the Banbridge defence to Molly McKee who scored to pull one back for Donaghadee. 2-1 to Banbridge and all to play for! 

Into the final quarter the game was fast-paced with both teams making good ground as they went in search of the next goal. Despite Carmen Van Der Schyff coming close to scoring, the Donaghadee attack just could not break past the Banbridge keeper who saved countless on target shots, both in this quarter and throughout to ensure the home side took the three points with the final score 2-1 to Banbridge. 

This week’s Star Player was joint with Emily Morris and Molly McKee both earning the votes of their team mates. Thank you to Banbridge for providing umpires and thank you to all the players and supported who travelled to Banbridge. The 2s are back on Saturday at 1pm to face South Antrim 4s at Bangor Grammar. All support is welcome. 

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