Senior 3: Ballynahinch 0-2 DLHC 1XI
Any Donaghadee vs Ballynahinch match is usually a tight and keenly fought game and this one didn’t fail to deliver!

With the predicted storm overhead holding off as the game got underway, the home team flew out of the blocks from the first whistle and soon threatened the Donaghadee circle, but some excellent defensive efforts kept them at bay, with Jodie Ingham commanding the heart of the Dee defence.

Having weathered the initial on-pitch storm, when Donaghadee made it over the halfway line a quick interchange through the midfield saw Kerry Kennedy feed the ball to Carolyn Scott off to the left of the circle. A clever touch took the ball away from the last defender and with only the keeper to beat, Carolyn shot with pinpoint accuracy to ping the ball in off the inside of the far post to give Donaghadee the early lead.

The game continued from end to end, with play stopped momentarily for an unfortunate ball to the knee for Kathryn Cunningham; the defender having to come off for an ice pack but being replaced by Row Moore who slotted in to continue the defensive effort. 

Both keepers were involved both with one save apiece; Dee keeper Emma McGimpsey-Young in particular made a terrific stop with her left hand to turn the ball wide following a looping deflection at a penalty corner, and the quarter ended 1-0.

Donaghadee dominated the game through the second quarter thanks to some excellent midfield play: Helen Herron was finding lots of space to burst forward on the left, while Jordan McWilliams and Catherine Armstrong interchanged on the right, but despite some excellent passing and creative play, Donaghadee’s eight shots – five of which were on target – just would not find a way through to increase the score.

Early in the second half a terrific team move saw the ball passing quickly through Jordan, Kerry and Carolyn with Kerrie Turtle sweeping home to double the lead: 2-0 to Donaghadee. 

Ballynahinch did have their chances and Donaghadee’s rearguard needed to be on their mettle to successfully defend three penalty corners in quick succession, with Jan Morrow making a vital interception to clear to safety and Rachel McClatchey a cool head as she dribbled the ball out of defence on several occasions. 

The final quarter followed much the same pattern, with the home team throwing everything forward as they tried to get back into the game with Emma making another excellent save at a penalty corner and Vicky O’Neill sweeping in front of the defence to keep the threats at bay.

Donaghadee did create some further chances but they were repeatedly pushed back with dogged Hinch defending and the game ended 2-0 to Donaghadee.

Star Player this week was Emma for her stout, brave keeping and she thanked Mike Smyth for umpiring. The Firsts have one more game before Christmas when they welcome Holywood to BGS on Saturday, pass back 2.30pm.

Junior 9A: Bangor 1-0 DLHC 2XI
On Friday night, Donaghadee 2XI were on the road for an ‘away’ trip to play second in the league Bangor, at the Dee home pitch at BGS, no less! The familiarity of the pitch was small comfort, however, as Bangor were quickly on the attack and the Dee team had to work hard to keep them at bay during the opening exchanges. 

With just 6 minutes on the clock, Bangor finished a flowing move with a strong strike and the ball beat the returning Janice McVeigh in goal to give them the lead. The hosts thought they had doubled their lead just before the end of the quarter, when a break down their left ended with the ball in the net, but after the goal was originally given, a discussion between the umpires ruled it out for hitting a Bangor foot in the build-up, and the quarter ended 1-0.  

After some strong words at the first break, the Dee girls lifted the pace and their game in Q2, pressing the home team back with some excellent attacking play, particularly down the left flank from Molly McKee and Emily Morris, but disappointingly no-one was able to get a shot on target. Vicky O’Neill came close to getting on the end of a cross at the back post, but couldn’t make a firm enough connection. The Dee did however keep the opposition at bay and half time the score remained 1-0 to Bangor.

Into the second half, Bangor got themselves back into the action again, and the Dee struggled to get out of their own half for long periods. There was some excellent defensive work on show, with Laura Hamilton snuffing out dangerous attacks down the Bangor right wing, earning her title as this week’s Star Player whilst Natalie Jamieson made many strong clearances, creating chances for Dee attack to run onto the ball. The one time the defenders were beaten, Janice showed that in spite of not having played all season, class is permanent, as she pulled out an excellent double save to prevent an increase to the scoreline. 

The final quarter was yet more of the same, with the Dee deep in defence for most of the time, but they weathered the onslaught, in spite of losing their captain Floss Patton to a foot injury which ended her game. The final score was 1-0 to Bangor, a repeat of the result at the start of the season. 

Overall it was a deserved victory to the home team, but Donaghadee put in a gritty, determined performance that the team can be proud of as they head into their Christmas break. Many thanks to Row Moore for umpiring, and the Seconds look forward to seeing their supporters back at BGS in the New Year.

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