Senior 3: DLHC 1XI 0-1 Club KV

A brand new month and another top of the table clash at BGS, with third placed Club KV – only two points behind Donaghadee – the visitors to BGS last Saturday.

Quarter one was fairly evenly matched with both teams creating a few chances but neither keeper was really challenged; the shots either just wide or easily dealt with by two robust defences. With Captain Jodie Ingham out with a broken finger, fellow defender Paige Reilly deputised and marshalled the defence well – she, Kathyrn Cunningham and Kathy Sinnamon tucked in tight and made things extremely difficult for KV’s forwards to find any space.

Donaghadee shaded it in terms of direct chances with three fashioned, only one of which was on target, in comparison to KV’s one off target. Leanna McGimpsey-Young and Carolyn Scott were combining well up front, and with several piercing balls from midfield from both Hannah Younge and Kerry Kennedy, the movement certainly suggested Donaghadee were capable of finding that killer last ball.

Efforts from both sides picked up in the second quarter but apart from one KV penalty corners being on target there was nothing to trouble Donaghadee keeper Faith McMillen. Jess Moore and Jordan McWilliams both provided good outlets for the defence to turn danger into attack, with both using their speed to transfer the ball quickly as Donaghadee looked to capitalise on the breaks.

Into the second half and the visitors started to build possession and pressure with Donaghadee struggling to get back into the rhythm they had started to build at the end of the first half. Jordan and Hannah were both forced off with hand injuries, with Chloe Ferguson and Natasha McGimpsey coming on in like for like swaps in midfield. Changes in defence too saw Row Moore and Rachel McClatchey both on, with KV only managing a couple of shots during the reshuffling of Donaghadee personnel. 

The final quarter saw KV open quickly with a number of attacks down the right building more pressure on Donaghadee but time after time they were thwarted by the home defence and Faith pulling off a couple of good saves. Counter attacks from the Dee racked up more chances for the home side but the visiting defence restricted them to just a couple of on-target shots.

Just as it seemed things were heading for the second goalless draw in a week, and with only two minutes left, a ball in the Donaghadee circle looked to ricochet off a KV shin but instead of a free out for Donaghadee to clear the danger, a penalty corner was awarded to KV, the visitors scrambling home for the lead and ultimately a late winner.

Thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring and to Ards Fireplaces for sponsoring the match ball, and with congratulations to Kathryn for her Player of the Match performance in the heart of defence. The 1s are on their travels next weekend with a trip to mid Ulster to take on Cookstown in the late match of the day, 4.15pm at Steelweld Park.

Junior League 10: DLHC 2XI 2-1 Dromore

The 2XI welcomed Dromore to BGS in the second match of the day in what turned out to be an exciting affair. Donaghadee opened the scoring through Molly McKee, with the visitors equalising before Molly grabbed her second to give Donaghadee the win. Nicola Patton umpired that game, with Elevate Storage Solutions sponsoring the match ball. The 2s are also on their travels next week, heading to Donegal to play Raphoe, pass back there at 1pm.

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