Senior 3: DLHC 1XI 1-4 Club KV
It was a bump down to (very soggy!) earth on Saturday after an excellent two wins from two for the 1XI of Donaghadee LHC as they struggled in the rain to contain a young and well drilled Club KV team at Bangor Grammar.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks and soon had Donaghadee on the back foot, however despite numerous visits to the Dee circle, some super defensive work from the home side kept them out with only one shot sneaking through, but wide enough not to force a save. 

The visitors kept up the pressure with 3 attacking penalty corners, the third of which was saved but the rebound fell to a well-positioned attacker who slotted home to make it 1-0.

Ironically Donaghadee then created arguably the best chance of the quarter but the ball squirted just wide of the right post, with the keeper beaten.

Donaghadee finally found a bit of rhythm and started to work into the visitors’ circle, creating more chances than KV and the Dee were rewarded for their persistence when a shot by Kerry K bamboozled the keeper to make it 1-1 at half time.

The second half was a repeat of Q1, only KV were more clinical and effective with their shooting. Some frantic Donaghadee defence kept the visitors at bay until a penalty corner move saw the ball switched from right to left and goal! Then in the final minute of the quarter a goal from open play effectively put the game to bed in favour of KV with the whistle going at 3-1.

Injuries and unavailability both played a part and took their toll on the day but I couldn’t fault the effort of the team in what were awful playing conditions!

Coach Willie McAdam on the Firsts’ loss to Club KV

A better final quarter from Donagahdee saw them create better attacking momentum but they were unable to make much headway in the KV circle. At the other end, KV produced another half dozen shots and it was no surprise that they went 4-1 up with 15 to go.

Again some last ditch defending and saves stopped score line from increasing again, with the final score 4-1 to Club KV. Kathryn Cunningham was voted Star Player for her sterling work in the heart of the defence. With thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring, and to club sponsor Stanley Woods & Co Accountants for their continued support. 

It’s a break from league action this weekend, with the Firsts playing host to Owls in the first round of the Intermediate Cup, pass back 2.30pm.

Junior League 9A: DLHC 2XI 2-0 Owls
It was a very soggy Saturday in September when a young Owls team took on Donaghadee’s 2XI, led by returning captain Floss Patton who, along with her defensive partners, was called into early action as the visitors flew out of the blocks and attacked from the first whistle.  

Donaghadee struggled to get the ball, but some excellent defence restricted the visitors to 4 shots, with goalkeeper Faith McMillan dealing with the only one on target. On the rare occasions that the Dee made it into the Owls half, aided by some great hassling play from Johneena Brown, the front two of Emily Morris and Katie McKee carved out a couple of chances but the keeper was up to the job and the quarter ended 0-0.

Some words of wisdom from Coach Willie McAdam at the break settled things down and the Dee started to get a hold of the game in the second quarter. With the ever-calm Zoe Turtle winning more balls in midfield, and Natalie Jamieson tackling strongly to snuff out any Owls attacks, the service to the forwards became more plentiful.

Molly McKee joined her sister upfront and created a number of chances but some excellent defending kept them at bay. Just as it looked as if the Dee’s efforts would go unrewarded, a few minutes from half-time a free hit was awarded just outside the circle. As Emily took the hit, a late run from Lisa Higgins, pushing up from her left back berth, drew the Owls defenders and created space for Katie to pick up the cross and fire it home, to give Donaghadee a deserved lead.

The success spurred Donaghadee on, and the third quarter was one of total domination. In midfield, Erin Hamilton and Caroline Davison provided forward momentum and some great through balls, as the Dee fired in ten shots and worked some penalty corners well, but the second goal just wouldn’t come! 

Whilst Owls were rarely in the Dee half, they still looked dangerous on the break, and a second goal was vital to get some breathing space. It finally arrived a few minutes into the final quarter, through another penalty corner, with a well-worked switch from left to right which enabled Katie to get her second of the match. And it was well needed, as Owls threw everything forward in the final ten minutes. 

From having little to do, the Dee defence were under the cosh once again from both open play and a number of penalty corners. But again they were up to the task, with Claire Horne making numerous blocks and clearances, and Lauren Niblock coming back to help out her defence. Despite some nervy moments, the Dee held out for a clean sheet, a well deserved 2-0 win and some much needed league points.

Well done to Claire and Zoe for their joint Star Player awards and thanks to Nicola Patton for umpiring in the wet, yet again – it seems to be her speciality!  Next Saturday the two teams will meet again in the cup, this time at Owls, pass back at Roughfort 2.30pm.

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