Donaghadee 1XI secure promotion playoff spot

Donaghadee 1XI went into Saturday’s game knowing that a win or draw would be enough to secure second place in the league and with it, a promotion playoff spot against second-from-bottom in Senior Two.

Donaghadee started possibly a little nervier than in other matches this season and the action was end to end from the start with some lively attacking exchanges but excellent defensive play from both teams restricting clear chances.

Despite the even action in the middle of the pitch, there was little quarter given in either circle: Donaghadee had one shot on target and one saved, and in testament to the strong defending from Jodie MacLaren, Kathyrn Cunningham, Paige Reilly and Row Moore, PSNI were denied any shots on goal.

The quarter two action saw more of the same. Donaghadee won a penalty corner midway through the quarter and a scooped shot from Leanna McGimpsey-Young was well saved by the PSNI keeper, Jess Moore following up on the rebound was unlucky to see her shot go just wide of the post.

Again the home side was enjoying more possession and looked the more dangerous but only one other attempt on target. At the other end. the visitors were again stopped from getting any shots but did win three penalty corners in quick succession, striking the far post on the third attempt but Donaghadee were quick to get the ball away from Dee keeper Faith McMillen and cleared from danger. Half-time 0-0.

PSNI hit a purple patch in the third quarter, attacking from the start but again the defensive work from the Dee – working well as a unit – was good and clear chances were limited to a single penalty corner, well saved and away by Donaghadee.

A shuffling of personnel saw Jan Burgess on in the defensive midfield role with Kerry Kennedy and Hannah Younge rotating in the higher central positions, as Donaghadee looked to convert some of their own pressure into more of an attacking threat. Tasha McGimpsey replaced sister Jess on the right, with Jess then rotating during the quarter with Jordan McWilliams as the Dee looked to keep the pace and intensity high.

Donaghadee then began to create some better opportunities to win a couple of penalty corners, one of which was fired wide but the second struck gold with Carolyn Scott finding the backboard to open the scoring: 1-0 to Donaghadee. Donaghadee then almost doubled their advantage but the visitors’ keeper saved the shot to keep it 1-0 heading into final quarter.

Pushing forward to try and build on the lead, Donaghadee had much of the ball in the opening moments of quarter four but a quick counter from the visitors saw a penalty corner awarded (much to the disappointment of the home defence!), the resulting shot finding its target and levelling the score at 1-1.

Much of the remainder of the game saw attack after attack from both sides, with both sides playing much freer and open hockey, and Donaghadee launched attacks down both flanks. Despite having another couple of penalty corners on target, the PSNI keeper was equal to the task, leaving the score 1-1, and giving Donaghadee the point needed to secure second position in the league on the last day of the season, with a play off to come for a potential promotion to Senior 2.

The 1XI do it all again next week against PSNI, this time in the Quarter Final of the Intermediate Plate, pass back 1pm at BGS.