Senior League 3: Antrim 0-2 DLHC 1XI
With the end of the league programme now finally in sight, Donaghadee travelled to Antrim on Saturday in their last away fixture of the campaign.

It was positively Costa del Antrim Forum with warm sun bathing the pitch, making this match more like a summer tournament game rather than the more usual wintery hockey conditions.

The first half was an open affair with both teams providing free-flowing and entertaining hockey for the supporters on the side line, with Donaghadee’s Jordan McWilliams making good runs down the wide left channel, backed up by Helen Herron and Row Moore to build good forward momentum.

Despite both sides enjoying good possession, there wasn’t a huge amount of goal mouth action, with Dee keeper Nicola Patton only called into action on a couple of occasions to make sure the ball was shepherded to safety. Half-time score line 0-0.

Donaghadee started to exert a lot more pressure in the second half, peppering the home defence with a number of very good shots, but the Antrim keeper was in super form, denying Donaghadee’s Kerry Kennedy several opportunities that were definitely heading for the back board, only for a last ditch pad or stick turning the ball away to safety. 

Donaghadee managed to break through thanks to terrific work high right from Star Player Jess Moore to create enough space to slip a ball in to the edge of the circle for Carolyn Scott to hit the ball on the turn to cannon home in off the far side board, before Kerrie Turtle made it two with a calm finish at the back post from a ball squared across the goal mouth.

With Paige Reilly and Jodie Ingham working well in tandem in the heart of defence, Kathryn Cunningham was released to pressure the ball higher up the pitch, allowing Donaghadee to maintain the high tempo and giving the defence the opportunity to pass the ball round the back in an attempt to stretch the pitch and create the gaps for the forwards to run in to.

With the heat starting to take its toll on the pace of the game, Donaghadee were able to call on subs Anna Aitken and Faith McMillan to add their fresh legs and both played well to help break down a couple of late threatening runs from the Antrim forwards, ultimately denying the hosts any return from the game, and giving Donaghadee a valuable 3 points in their quest for securing a top half finish to the season.

With thanks to DeeDee McMullan for umpiring duties and to Stanley Woods & Co Accountants for their continued support. The final flurry of games starts this Saturday (27th) at home to Parkview, pass back 2.30pm, before a nighttime fixture at home to Ballynahinch next Wednesday (1^st May, 7.30pm), with the season rounding up on Saturday 4^th May at 2.30pm at home to Cookstown.

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