Senior 3: Club KV 3-1 DLHC 1XI
Donaghadee Firsts came up against a young and well organised Club KV in the late pass back match at the Dub on Saturday.

Shorn of no fewer than six regular starters, it was quite a different look to the team with full credit going to the 2XI players who came straight from their game at BGS to play their part. Donaghadee also welcomed Emma McGimpsey-Young back from injury, and were pleased to see newcomer Hannah Younge making her debut for the club.

With the new line up and various players playing out of position, it was little surprise that KV started the stronger of the two sides, rattling in three goals in the first half in what looked as though it could be a long afternoon for Donaghadee.

After the half time regroup Donaghadee started to make a much better fist of things, with Kerrie Turtle making a couple of lung-busting runs up front and twins Molly and Katie McKee providing the outlets down the wide channels. 

Indeed it was a combination of Molly and Katie which created Donaghadee’s best opportunity: a drive down the left from Molly, a quick cross to Katie at the top of the circle followed by a neat pass in to Carolyn Scott who hit the ball on the turn to smash the ball between the KV keeper’s legs and Donaghadee were off the mark.

With Jess Moore and Helen Herron doing their best to provide a link between midfield and the forwards in the middle of the pitch, it was down to Jan Morrow and Row Moore to stem the flow on the wings but some smart movement from KV saw them working the ball well to create a number of attacking opportunities.

They found Emma in imperious form at the top of the Dee circle however: on numerous occasions, Emma positioned herself perfectly to intercept the direct ball in to break up the attack. Hannah was also dropping back in to help out deep in defence, proving herself a versatile addition to the team, while Natalie Jamieson also cut out a couple of pinpoint crosses aimed at the KV forwards.

It was all hands to the defensive pump for Donaghadee and both Row and Vicky O’Neill made vital interceptions to clear the Dee lines, but Donaghadee keeper Nicola Patton earned herself this week’s Star Player award for the quality of saves she made to ensure that KV had no further goals to add to their tally. Final score 3-1, with thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring. 

The Firsts have a week off and then they’re back to KV for the next round of the Plate!

The 2XI beat Ballynahinch 1-0 thanks to a well-worked penalty corner in the final quarter, with Vicky O’Neill getting the final touch to take the victory. The 2s head to Castle on Friday night in the penultimate fixture of their season, pass back in Carrickfergus at 7.30pm.

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