Intermediate Cup: DLHC 1XI 1-3 Holywood
It was a local derby on Saturday for the Intermediate Cup game between the 1XIs of Donaghadee and Holywood; a game of few chances, but with some excellent hockey on show from both sides.

Both teams flew out of the blocks but some excellent work in the midfield by both sides kept the clear chances to a minimum, Holywood not making any efforts on goal and Donaghadee with only one, which slid wide. An exciting start which belied the 0-0 scoreline, with the Dee having the majority of the circle penetrations without creating any real clear chances.

Quarter two saw more of the same end to end action, but the circle penetrations were an exact reversal, with Holywood finally getting a first shot in – wide – whilst at the other end Donaghadee had the only shot on target of the first half amongst their 2 shots.

In what was a fast and open game, Jodie Ingham as pulling the strings in the heart of the makeshift Donaghadee defence – beleaguered by injury and unavailability, saw it 0-0 at halftime.

With the visitors having a nearly full bench to call on and Donaghadee waiting for theirs to arrive fresh from the Seconds’ game away in Portadown, the pace was starting to have an impact. It was Donaghadee however who opened the scoring with a break in from the right seeing Leanna McGimpsey-Young lift the ball from the edge of the circle over the keeper to give Dee the lead.

Holywood were quickly down the other end and when an attemptedDonaghadee defensive clearance only got as far as hitting a Dee foot, Holywood were awarded the first penalty corner of the match. A good save from Dee keeper Nicola Patton saw the ball land back on an attacker’s stick and she lifted it into the net; all level within a breathless 90 seconds!

The force was then with the Senior 2 team and despite the best efforts of Donaghadee, they added a second just 4 minutes later. Donaghadee weren’t without their chances however, with two shots, one on target, but they were unable to get the equaliser. In the dying seconds of the quarter it looked like a third for Holywood but a super diving save from Nicola pushed it wide.

With Vicky O’Neill having replaced Ruth Kennedy near the end of the third quarter, Dee started to run into problems with more injuries. Jodie took a bad blow to her hand and had to come off, then Leanna (an injury doubt beforehand) was replaced by Emily Morris. In amongst the defensive shuffling Donaghadee were having to do, Holywood added a third in the 55th minute.

Three excellent breaks into the visitors’ 23 from Kerry Kennedy were all eventually blocked before she could get a shot off, leaving the final score 1-3 to Holywood, and the end of the Cup run for Donaghadee.

Thanks to Ruth, Claire and Katie for their cameo appearances, to Vicky and Emily for returning from Portadown to help in the second half, well done to Claire and Nicola on their joint Star Player awards, and a massive shout out to Jodie who spent Sunday morning in minor injuries and has a confirmed fractured finger. Speedy recovery, Jodie!

The Seconds were badly hit with unavailability and travelled to face a strong Portadown side. Despite a heroic effort from every single player, Portadown ran out winners on the day but full credit to each and every player who made the trip. The Seconds are at home on Saturday when they play Banbridge with a 1pm pass back at BGS.

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