Senior League 3: Cookstown 0-1 DLHC 1XI
Late Saturday afternoon in Cookstown saw Donaghadee 1s playing their penultimate match of the season, and once again a combination of injuries and other factors saw them travel with a squad of just 11 players, including a couple carrying injuries themselves!

A shuffled team saw a number of players in different positions and a bunch of 2s players helping to fill the gaps.

With all this going on it was no surprise that Cookstown were quickly on the attack and the first quarter saw Dee keeper Emma making 4 good saves, including a penalty corner, to keep the game scoreless. The whole team worked tirelessly to thwart the home side, with some super tackling from Paige and Zoe at the heart of the defence. The visitors created a number of attacks but were often broken down inside the 23 and couldn’t trouble the home keeper.

The second quarter saw more of the same, but a few changes by the coach saw an improvement in covering and with both teams having only a couple of shots without scoring and Zoe clearing a penalty away from the goal it remained scoreless at halftime.

After a good discussion at the break Donaghadee, with pass back, started the second half very much on the front foot; just 90 seconds into the quarter a quick attack down the left combining Row, Helen and Kerrie saw the ball passed to Leanna at the top of the circle. A quick turn and movement to create space and a shot fired into the goal to give Donaghadee the lead.

The quarter continued at pace, with both teams on the attack, but the visitors defensive work was superb, with Caroline, Helen and Chloe winning many of the midfield battles and Jan, Paige, Zoe and Row keeping most of the ball away from Emma’s goal. The home team resorted to firing long range shots and passes.

Jan was finding space on the right side and able to join in the attack on a regular basis as Caroline covered her defensive role. This, along with Row and Helen on the left helped to create a number of opportunities for Leanna and Kerrie. Nicola, in an unusual role of forward, kept hassling the home defence and even had a chance to score, only to see it cleared away.

A super 3rd quarter ended 1-0.

Into the final quarter, and the end to end play continued. Donaghadee, with their goal advantage, looked to manage the game and make life difficult for Cookstown, and the home team got more and more frustrated as time went by. They won 2 more penalties, but again the defence won out and at the other end both Kerrie and Leanna had chances to put the game to rest, and finally the whistle blew with the final score 1-0 to Donaghadee.

A hard earned victory from a game that saw them hanging on in the first half and controlling much of the second half. An incredible team effort from all 11 players.

This result confirms Donaghadee’s position in fourth place once again and ensures they will end the season with more wins than losses. A reasonable outcome from a season ravaged by injuries and players not being available.

 They have one final match to play when they entertain Ballynahinch at home next week, pass back 2.30pm, with the 2XI in the 1pm slot against Bangor.

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