Senior League 3: DLHC 1XI 5-1 Cookstown

The 1XI of Donaghadee hosted Cookstown after a free weekend, with the squad determined to keep up recent winning momentum. Despite missing a few players it was still a strong team that lined up in the cool and breezy conditions.

From the start Donaghadee were on the front foot and attacking the visitors’ circle, but the away defence worked hard to keep them out and early shots from Leanna McGimpsey-Young and Carolyn Scott were beaten away. Then somewhat against the run of play midway through the quarter, the visitors made their first counter attack and won a penalty corner which found the backboard and an early lead!

One story of the 1XI’s season has been to display a great resilience and belief, especially when going a goal down and they displayed both when Cookstow went ahead, with the team straight back on the attack after the setback. 

A good ball threaded through from Helen Herron in midfield saw Tasha McGimpsey break into the left of the circle and her shot ricocheted off the foot of a static defender to beat the Cookstown keeper for Donaghadee’s equaliser just 90 seconds later. Despite another couple of chances there was no further goals and the quarter ended at 1-1.

Quarter two and more of the same with the home team building the pressure and creating chances but with the shots either sliding wide or parried away, Donaghadee weren’t able to take advantage to increase the lead. One particular move late in the quarter saw Jess Moore collect the ball near the half way line and beat player after player as she went right and through to the baseline to pull the ball back towards goal but the resulting shot was saved and cleared. 

As the half hour approached a Donaghadee penalty corner saw the ball heading goalwards but with the ball being saved illegally by a defender on the line, a penalty stroke awarded and Leanna stepped up to lift it home and gain the lead for the first time. 2-1 to the Dee at half time.

The start of the second half saw Cookstown coming out with renewed vigour and for ten minutes the ball was almost permanently in the Donaghadee half! However some excellent work by the team, led by Jodie MacLaren and Paige Reilly in the centre of defence with Kathy Sinnamon, Rachel McClatchey and Row Moore on the flanks largely kept them away from the home goal, restricting them to a single shot wide of target – a shot that was well covered by Dee keeper Faith McMillen. 

In the final five minutes of the quarter Donaghadee began to rediscover their rhythm with Chloe Ferguson and Jordan McWilliams combining well in midfield to feed sisters Jess and Tasha as Donaghadee looked to get forward again. Three minutes before the break and another run down the right wing saw Jess feed the ball across goal and Leanna was on hand to fire it home and 3-1.

Into the final quarter and the game flowed from end to end with similar number of circle entries for both teams but while the visitors were restricted to a single shot Donaghadee used the space opening up to create half a dozen clear chances. Three minutes in a penalty corner saw Carolyn’s initial shot blocked but she reacted quickly and fed the ball to Leanna who fired home to complete her hat trick. 

Then three minutes later a super through ball saw Carolyn run into the circle and round the keeper to get the goal that her efforts had deserved, to conclude the scoring in a convincing 5-1 win, which was slightly harsh on the visitors, to carry Donaghadee to the top of the Senior 3 table, a lead which they extended by a further 3 points thanks to a midweek 2-0 victory over PSNI. 

The squad is off to Kilkeel on Saturday in what is the penultimate fixture in this half of the league, pass back at Kilkeel High School 4pm.

Junior League 10

Donaghadee 2s had a tough home game against 4th place league holders Larne.

The early stages saw the visitors on the front foot and the reorganised defence of Floss Patton, Georgia Ferguson, Caroline Davison and Laura Hamilton battled hard to keep them away from Janice Mcveigh’s goal. 

Halfway through the quarter Larne won a penalty corner which resulted in them taking a 1-0 lead. An injury to captain Erin Hamilton saw a reshuffle with Lauren Niblock slotting in at left back and Johneena Brown having a chance to show her pace and help to get the ball forward to Kerrie Turtle, Ruth Coulter and Vicky O’Neill.

Quarter two and the game went from end to end with neither side scoring, although Janice was called on to save when it looked like Larne might score.

Into the second half and Donaghadee more than held their own as some great work from Chloe Ferguson and Emily Morris got the the ball moving upfield to the forwards but as both defences were working hard the clear chances were few and far between. Larne however won another penalty corner which resulted in them doubling their lead.

In the final quarter a great ball through from Erin – back on in Donaghadee’s midfield – saw Vicky running in on goal, but the Larne keeper made a great save to keep her out and keep the 2-0 score line for Larne in a game where both sides had few clear chances and the overall fight was quite even. Thanks to Row Moore and Carolyn Scott for umpiring, and to Elevate Storage Solutions for sponsoring the match ball.

The 2XI take on Ballynahinch at home this Saturday, pass back 2.30pm at BGS.

Web: http://www.donaghadeelhc.co.uk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/donaghadeelhc
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/donaghadeelhc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaghadeelhc/