Senior League 3: DLHC 1XI 3-1 Cookstown
Despite a couple of late changes to the starting line up, with Natalie Jamieson making a cameo appearance in the first quarter to allow for the late arrival of Sarah Hooks and Row Moore slotting in to the left back berth, Donaghadee got off to a flying start in this mid-table clash at Bangor Grammar on Saturday.

Donaghadee dominated the opening quarter with the team exerting periods of sustained pressure on the Cookstown defence; Carolyn Scott slotted a through ball in to the attacking circle for Kerrie Turtle to run on to, Tasha McGimpsey added width on the right to provide an outlet down that side and Leanna McGimpsey-Young provided plenty of trickery to win several free hits on the edge of the circle.

Despite the dominance and a further shuffling of personnel – Tasha sustaining nasty bruising on her hand from a lifted ball – there were no goals to show for the efforts in the first quarter for Donaghadee. Defensively Donaghadee restricted the visitors to just two circle penetrations with the ball being cleared well before it reached Dee keeper Nicola Patton. 

It was much the same story in the second quarter, with Donaghadee able to push defenders Jan Morrow, Jodie Ingham and Sarah up the pitch as they looked to hem Cookstown in. Just after the half hour mark Cookstown took the lead completely against the run of play however with a straight strike smash from a penalty corner.

The third quarter saw Donaghadee play with the same vim and vigour but they also had purpose: At the base of the midfield diamond, Paige Reilly was finding joy in breaking down any Cookstown forays forward and she looked to turn defence into quick attack with a couple of great balls in to Kerry Kennedy sitting high in the middle of the pitch.

With just a couple of minutes remaining in the quarter, a speculative Kerrie Turtle effort from the top of the circle clipped a defender’s stick to deflect it beyond the sliding reach of the Cookstown keeper to draw the score level before a clean strike from Leanna in almost the same position a couple of minutes later doubled the Dee’s tally: 2-1.

Cookstown rallied at this point and tried to play down their right but Helen Herron and Row both did exceptionally well to make a number of important blocks and tackles to prevent the visiting attacks leading to any danger closer in to the circle. With the game opening up as Cookstown searched for the equaliser, Donaghadee were able to exploit the space for Leanna to add her second of the day – a great run off the ball from Carolyn peeled away a couple of defenders which opened up the space for Leanna to run in to and she made no mistake with an emphatic finish to put the game beyond Cookstown’s reach.

Final score 3-1 to Donaghadee, with thanks to Debs Gilmour and Mike Smyth for umpiring. Donaghadee welcome Newry to BGS on Saturday at the midway point in the league, pass back at 2.30pm. The Seconds are also in action at BGS on Saturday, with their game against Harlequins passing back at 1pm. 

Junior League 9A: Bangor 1-0 DLHC 2XI
Donaghadee 2XI were away to Bangor on Friday evening and, with Bangor winning pass back, they got off to a good start by attacking down both flanks, although there weren’t too many danger moments.

Donaghadee had a great early chance through an attack down the left which saw a quick switch right to give Erin Hamilton a shot that was well saved by the Bangor keeper.

This seemed to spur Bangor into action and Donaghadee keeper Janice McVeigh had to pull off a great save to keep them out, keeping the score at 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Going into the second quarter both teams were attacking end to end with some lovely hockey, but there were no real shots to trouble either keeper.

Then, with just over a minute left in the quarter Bangor had a penalty corner initially really well blocked by Natalie Jamieson but the ball fell to a Bangor forward who crashed a shot into the back the Dee’s net. Half-time Bangor 1-0.

After a galvanising team talk at half time by coach Willie McAdam, Donaghadee started to play with more confidence and created a number of chances which came really close, while at the back they snuffed out Bangor attacks with some strong tackles.

As the third quarter came to an end Donaghadee won a penalty corner, and after the initial shot was saved the ball bounced around in amongst a melee of players. Just as the ball was swept into the net, the whistle was blown for the ball hitting a Dee foot so unfortunately the goal was ruled out. 

The final quarter saw a good ten minutes of Donaghadee possession and some great attacking hockey but a couple of shots well saved by the Bangor keeper were all they had to show for their efforts.

The last few minutes were frantic with lots of end to end hockey, but neither team created any further chances on goal and the final score was 1-0 to Bangor. 

Big thanks to Keith Hooks for umpiring and well done to Erin who was voted Star Player by the rest of the team. The Seconds take on Harlequins on Saturday with a 1pm pass back at BGS. 

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