Senior League 3: DLHC 1XI 5-1 Antrim
It was another home game for Donaghadee Ladies’ 1XI on Saturday on what was a beautiful autumnal day with Antrim the opponents in the 2.30pm game. 

The two sides know each other well, with Antrim having joined Senior 3 in the last couple of seasons, and the two sides facing each other in a pre-season friendly at the end of the summer. Donaghadee showed some of the strength in depth that has been forming this season, with another reshuffle in personnel at the back, with Rachel McClatchey joining captain Jodie Ingham in the heart of defence, and these two made a really strong start as the Dee defence mopped up the early Antrim attacks.

Hannah Younge was providing a super link between defence and attack as she picked up any loose balls in the middle of the pitch to feed forward it was thanks to her work alongside Helen Herron that, despite possession being quite even in the first quarter, it was the home side who looked the most dangerous, creating a number of well worked chances; one early through ball set Jess Moore through on goal with the midfielder sliding the ball agonisingly wide.

Then in the 11th minute a counter attack down the left and a hopeful strike from outside the circle saw an Antrim forward manage to get her stick out and the ball deflected up and past Dee keeper Faith McMillen to give the visitors a very good goal, albeit somewhat against the run of play.

The home side rallied immediately and continued to get into the attacking circle but a number of saves and blocks meant they trailed at the quarter end. Jordan McWilliams replaced Jess and with the team looking to make use of the flanks to get in behind Antrim the second quarter saw a more aggressive and efficient performance from Donaghadee going forward.

It was all hands on in defence for the visitors as they fought to keep their lead and midway through the quarter Donaghadee were level when good work from the forwards won a penalty corner. A well-timed slip saw the in-form Leanna McGimpsey-Young scoring to bring the Dee back on level terms.

The pressure from Donaghadee continued, as did the chances and five minutes later a low shot from Kerry Kennedy slipped through the keeper’s legs to give the hosts the lead. Antrim were being pegged back so much that they only once made it to the Donaghadee circle in the quarter, and thanks to some great defensive work high up the pitch from wide defensive players Kathy Lawton and Row Moore were able to support the attacking efforts for the Dee, as halftime arrived with a 2-1 lead.

The second half started as it left off and it was Donaghadee on the front foot, though some good work from Antrim restricted the clear chances initially. Six minutes in and another penalty corner saw a great first shot from Hannah coming back off the post with Leanna reacting first to fire home to make it 3-1.

Antrim then needed their keeper to pull off a good save, whilst shots slid wide of both posts as Donaghadee looked to extend their lead, but it remained 3-1 at the three quarter mark. A warm day and the high pace of the game saw both teams start to flag a little in the final quarter, and Donaghadee brought on Vicky O’Neill to add fresh legs to the attack.

Antrim managed a couple of shots – well dealt with by some excellent defending – but much of the remainder of the game was again played in Donaghadee’s attacking half; Leanna completed her hat trick to put the game totally out of reach and then with a couple of minutes left a third penalty corner goal for Donaghadee when Carolyn crashed it home left the score line a convincing 5-1 win which keeps Donaghadee in second place as their unbeaten run continues.

Thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring and to Ards Fireplaces for sponsoring this week’s match ball.

There is a break from league action this Saturday when Donaghadee welcome South Antrim to BGS in the first round of the Intermediate Cup, pass back 2.30pm

Junior League 10: Dromore 3-2 DLHC 2XI
Donaghadee 2s travelled to Ferris Park to play Dromore on Saturday in the late afternoon pass back. With usual keeper Janice on holiday this week, Emily Morris kindly and bravely stepped forward to go into nets. It was Emily’s first time as goalkeeper but despite this, she made numerous fantastic saves throughout the course of the match. 

Donaghadee found themselves with an early mountain to climb, conceding two goals early on as they tried to settle in to the game. Despite the early setbacks, there was great work from the midfield with Lauren Niblock, Ruth Coulter and Erin Hamilton all carrying the ball well as they aimed for their forwards. 

One strong burst from right winger Katie McKee saw her passing the ball into the circle which found her twin, Molly and with an excellent touch, Molly took a shot which landed on target to bring the score back to 2-1. 

Into the second quarter defensive players Laura Hamilton, Lisa Higgins, Caroline Davison and Floss Patton worked extra hard to communicate effectively, defend and pass the ball out wide for midfield players Tasha McGimpsey and Johneena Brown to collect. 

With the tempo of the match increasing Donaghadee found themselves in the Dromore circle once again, with left winger Molly crossing the ball to centre forward Kerrie Turtle who was on hand to finish well and give the Dee thei second goal to draw the level with the home side. 

Heading into the third quarter Donaghadee continued to stand firm and defend well against Dromore, with Emily making a great save to keep the home side out. At the end of the third quarter the score remained 2-2. With the game all square, both teams attacked well as they tried to find the winning goal and it was Dromore who scored thanks to an attack set up from the opening pass back.

Undeterred Donaghadee worked hard to gain another foothold in the match, with Ruth Coulter defending and attacking well in the centre of midfield to try and keep the pressure on the Dromore players. Donaghadee came ever so close when Tasha McGimpsey passed a great ball to Kerrie Turtle on the back line but the resulting shot went agonisingly just wide of the goal.

 The final score ended with Dromore winning 3-2, in what was a very closely fought match, and for her efforts in goal Emily Morris was voted Player of the Match, with the whole team thanking Andrew McKee for umpiring. Donaghadee 2s are heading back to Ferris Park again this Saturday to play Dromore in the Cup, pass back 12:30pm.

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