REPORT | 16 November 2024: DLHC 1XI 3-0 Parkview and DLHC 2XI 0-0 Ballymena

Jordna: Player of the Match and on the score sheet on Saturday

Senior League 3: DLHC 1XI 3-0 Parkview

Another great day in the league for Donaghadee as they entertained Ballyclare side Parkview at BGS. Right from the start the home side were on the front foot and looking to attack the Parkview circle at every opportunity.

With a packed defence the visitors worked hard to thwart the attacks; their keeper made three saves and with another three slipping wide, it looked like Donaghadee were going to be frustrated until a super run in from the right by Hannah Younge saw her fire home a great strike to give the Dee the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining in the quarter.

The second quarter saw the home side break into the Parkview circle time and again but with ever more Parkview players dropping deep to help stem the red and green tide, it was hard to get through the crowd to get any meaningful shots on goal, and some last ditch defending and aggressive play from the visitors kept Donaghadee out. Then finally with a couple of minutes left to play in the quarter, Donaghadee won a penalty corner and Carolyn Scott was on hand to smash the ball home to double the lead at half time.

Quarter three and there was more of the same; the visitors were pinned back for much of the quarter as Donaghadee defended a high line – with the Dee rearguard sitting around the halfway line only once were Parkview able to break through but Donaghadee’s defence dealt comfortably before they were able to get a shot away.

Time after time Donaghadee swept forward and with half a dozen chances created, it was Jordan who came sliding in across goal to lift home with only seconds remaining in the quarter: 3-0 and Donaghadee were looking comfortable.

Into the final quarter and the home side continued with the relentless attacking as they took off a defender to overload the front line as they searched for further goals, but despite repeated attempts from the Dee, the visitor’s keeper made a number of saves to keep Donaghadee from scoring again.

A 3-0 win, a further three points added, with Donaghadee playing some lovely hockey to delight the large group of supporters.

Many thanks to Row Moore for umpiring and to Ards Fireplaces for sponsoring the match ball this weekend. The 1s have a break next weekend, with the next action at home to Cookstown on 30^th November, pass back 1pm.

Junior League 10: DLHC 2XI 0-0 Ballymena

Donaghadee 2s faced the league’s second place team Ballymena 4s at BGS in the 2.30pm slot on Saturday.

A full squad of 16 players available meant that Donaghadee were able to keep the energy levels up and they needed them as the game flowed from end to end right away.

The visitors had the better of the early chances and some excellent work from defenders Floss Patterson, Natalie Jamieson, Lisa Higgins and Row Moore restricted their shots, with goalkeeper Janice McVeigh being called upon to make three great saves when they did get in. A run of penalty corners for Ballymena and each was well defended by Donaghadee with Natalie Jamieson getting out really quickly to charge down the shots and make sure none went in.

At the other end as Donaghadee looked to make inroads, there were some lovely passing combinations between Kerrie Turtle and Molly McKee as they threatened the visitors’ goal but the keeper was equal to the task, leaving Donaghadee unable to create any clear chances.

In the second quarter Tasha McGimpsey and Dawn McDonald worked hard up front but the visitors defended a high line and again Donaghadee found it hard to get through on goal. Half-time came and the match remained scoreless.

The second half was a more even battle, with both teams having some good attacking opportunities but actual chances on goal were few and far between for both sides. One of Donaghadee’s best moments of the match was Vicky O’Neill feeding a great pass to Katie McKee who raced past two defenders into the circle, but the speedy winger was unable to get her shot away as the keeper came out to smother the danger. Dawn and Kerrie also got into the act but the shots were saved or slid just wide.

Ballymena looked to find dominance and had slightly more of the ball going forward but Lisa Higgins was quick to clear the ball and keep the Ballymena’s players out of Donaghadee circle. Into the final quarter the visitors threatened repeatedly but the whole team worked as a unit to keep them at bay; in the midfield Emily Morris, Erin Hamilton, Chloe Ferguson and Caroline Davison worked hard to help the defence and carry the ball through to Ballymena’s half of the pitch.

Faith McMillen – usually found in goal – also got a run outfield this week, helping out in the right back position and using her experience to keep the team well structured and adding words of encouragement to keep the Dee motivated to hold on for a well deserved point.

Player of the match was awarded to Lisa Higgins for her commanding performance in defence and she thanked Mike Smyth for umpiring and Elevate Storage Solutions for sponsoring the match ball. This Saturday Donaghadee 2s are away to Limavady, pass back at 2pm.