Dee through to Plate semi final thanks to a comprehensive 5-0 victory over PSNI

Donaghadee welcomed PSNI to BGS for the second time in as many weeks last Saturday. While the previous week was a slightly cagey 0-0 draw, albeit enough for the squad to earn themselves a second place league finish and the promise of a promotion play off spot, this week’s encounter saw Donaghadee producing much more of the free-flowing hockey that has served them so well this season.

Indeed a very early goal from a penalty corner strike courtesy of Hannah Younge settled any pre-match nerves; Donaghadee were up and running on the score sheet within the first five minutes. In a first half which produced six attempts on goal, four of which were on target for the Dee, the home team dominated much of the play with a lot of attacking play coming through the midfield of Hannah, Jordan McWilliams and Tasha McGimpsey.

Helen Herron completed the midfield set up, sitting just in front of the defence to protect the central channel and her good positioning meant that extra body was available to help out the Donaghadee defensive unit, restricting PSNI to just one shot on target in the first half; keeper Faith McMillen on hand to see the ball to safety on that occasion.

Donaghadee’s attacking dominance allowed full backs Paige Reilly and Kathy Sinnamon to push up in support and as a result, the visitors found themselves penned in for much of the half. However some stout defending and an excellent goalkeeping display from the PSNI Number 1 meant that the score was still a very tight 1-0 going in to the half time break.

With the fresh legs of Chloe Ferguson, Jan Morrow and Row Moore all on at the start of the second half, Donaghadee continued to press and two goals within the space of five minutes from Jess Moore – a constant threat all afternoon – gave Donaghadee a bit of breathing space. A nice interchange between Dee players also set Jordan free in the PSNI circle but again, great keeping kept the ball out, and the quarter finished 3-0 to Donaghadee.

PSNI enjoyed probably their best spell of the game in the late stages of the third quarter and it required determined defending from both Jodie MacLaren and Kathryn Cunningham to ensure there was no way in for the visiting team. 

Into the final quarter and within the first minute, forward Carolyn Scott pounced at the back post to add number four, before doubling her tally midway through the half to give Donaghadee an unassailable 5-0 victory and passage to a semi final berth in this year’s Intermediate Plate which will be played on 12^th April against Civil Service.

Many thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring, to Ards Fireplaces for sponsoring the match ball, and congrats to Jess for her Player of the Match performance.

Junior League 10: Larne 3-1 DLHC 2XI

Last weekend Donaghadee Ladies’ 2XI travelled to Larne for a 4pm pass back. Larne were quickly on the attack but some great defensive play from Lisa Higgins, Natalie Jamieson, Floss Patton and Megan Inglis kept them away from the goal, then a Donaghadee foot saw a penalty corner awarded and the ball crashed home to give Larne a 1-0 lead after 11 minutes.

Donaghadee pushed forward through Emily Morris to Kerrie Turtle and Vicky O’Neill but the Larne defence held firm. Into the last couple of minutes in the quarter and Larne broke through and scored with their first shot on target from open play: 2-0 at quarter end.

The second quarter was end to end hockey, with both sides creating chances but both keepers making saves to keep it 2-0 at halftime.

A quick start to the second half for Donaghadee and with just a couple of minutes on the clock, Chloe Ferguson attacked through the centre of the pitch and slid the ball through to Kerrie Turtle in the circle who beat the keeper to pull the scoreline back to 2-1.

Both teams were working hard to create chances, Donaghadee carrying the ball through midfield by Erin Hamilton and Vicky O’Neill into order to pass to the forwards Kerrie and Nicola Patton but excellent defending kept them away from the goal. Caroline Davison in particular had a great game in midfield, supported by Lisa and Lauren Niblock coming forward from the back.

Then with 5 minutes to go, another penalty corner to Larne saw the ball crash off the backboard, the force of the shot rebounding the ball directly on to the elbow of Floss Scott, unfortunately ending her game early. 3-1 to Larne.

Into quarter 4 and Kerrie continued to cause the home defence problems with her movement, allowing Chloe Ferguson and Emily Morris to run through: twice Donaghadee got clear shots in only to be saved by the keeper. 

Overall it was a close game with the difference coming down to the clinical penalty corners of the home side: final score 3-1 to Larne, with Donaghadee’s Player of the Match going to Caroline Davison for her sterling work in midfield.

The 2XI welcome Raphoe to BGS this Saturday in the last home game (and penultimate match) of the season, pass back 2.30pm.