Senior League 3: Derg Valley 1-3 DLHC 1XI
After a protracted break due to two matches falling foul of the weather followed by the Christmas break, Donaghadee Ladies’ 1XI were back in match action on Saturday with a trip West to Castlederg.
It certainly lived up to its billing of being one of the coldest places in NI with a particularly chilling wind whipping cross-pitch for much of the match, freezing players and supporters alike; it was certainly one way to blow off any festive cobwebs!
Donaghadee did not take long to settle and were quick to put the home defence under considerable pressure. An early break from Leanna McGimpsey-Young down the right led to a pinpoint cross that was met with a sweeping first-time shot by Carolyn Scott but the Derg keeper made a smart save to deny the Dee the opening goal.
Much of the initial action happened in the middle channel, with Kerry Kennedy and Emma McGimpsey-Young both stifling the out balls from the Derg defence as Donaghadee tried to press high up the pitch. An awkward fall by Kerry in the early stages gave Emily Morris the opportunity to add her tenacity to midfield, and the pressure remained very much in the Derg half, albeit without any score.
The perseverence paid off in the second quarter however. Kerry, back on after having caught her breath, broke into the attacking circle to unleash one of her trademark reverse stick shots. The keeper was only able to parry directly back to Kerry and she finished the inadvertent 1-2 with the Derg number 1 by slotting the ball past at the second attempt.
With only a goal in it at the turnaround, Derg began with some momentum and put enough pressure on the Dee defence to win a series of penalty corners. A well-struck shot found its mark, with Donaghadee keeper Nicola Patton only able to stretch far enough to get a toe to the ball, but not enough to divert wide, and Derg had their goal to draw level.
Donaghadee’s defence regrouped quickly, with Jodie Ingham making several important tackles in the heart of defence to ensure any danger was kept out of the Dee circle, while Row Moore and Jan Morrow protected the wide channels. With the luxury of a couple of subs, Debs Gilmore slotted in to provide fresh legs just as Derg looked to threaten again.
Having weathered that storm, Donaghadee worked hard to get themselves back on the front foot, and both Vicky O’Neill and Helen Herron found themselves seeing much more action in midfield – Helen taking advantage of any extra pockets of space she could find to burst forward as she tried to set up the next goal for the Dee.
It was Helen who started the move for Donaghadee’s second goal when she cut out a Derg pass on the left before feeding Carolyn Scott who had her back to goal on the attacking 25. A deft turn and touch gave Carolyn the space to find Leanna in the circle and the Dee forward crashed the ball home with a first time shot to give Donaghadee the lead.
Leanna added her second – Donaghadee’s third – after Tasha McGimpsey won Donaghadee a penalty corner, with Leanna finding the net with an unstoppable shot to put the result beyond doubt. Final score 3-1 to Donaghadee in a hard-fought match played in the best of spirit by both teams.
Jodie Ingham was voted Star Player for her tackling and breaking down in the heart of defence.
With thanks to Derg for the well-contested game and indeed the post-match soup and sandwiches which were very welcome indeed! Both teams are in action on Saturday (14th) – the 2XI are in Cup action, pass back 1pm, with the 1XI welcoming Castle to BGS for the 2.30pm pass back.
Everyone at DLHC sends condolences to Coleraine Ladies Hockey Club after the passing of Carol Anne Agnew, a long-time member of their club whom they sadly lost on 4th January after a battle with cancer.
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