Senior League 2: Saintfield 1-0 DLHC 1XI
On a Saturday that might quite easily win the Wettest Day of the Season (so far), DLHC 1XI were on their travels to Co. Down neighbours Saintfield. The match got underway in a downpour that only intensified as the afternoon went on yet both teams did their best to play free-flowing hockey in what made for a decent spectacle for the soggy spectators who braved the elements.

Saintfield won the toss for first pass back and were immediately on the front foot with a number of crash balls peppering the Donaghadee defence. With Jodie MacLaren and Paige Reilly both rock solid in the centre Dee keeper Faith McMillen was well protected while Katie McHenry did well on the right to keep the lively Saintfield left winger in check. 

One move from the Saintfield right saw a shot on target but a fantastic diving save from Faith low down to her right deflected the ball clear with her stick, quickly followed by another good save which was mopped up (no pun intended) by Kathy Sinnamon doing due diligence on the post to ensure the board remained scoreless at half time.

There was absolutely no respite from the rain which went from downpour to biblical at half time but the game continued at pace in the second half with Donaghadee carving out a couple of excellent chances through runs down the right wing by captain Jess Moore, but ferocious home defence kept them out.

Kerry Kennedy and Carolyn Scott were combining well up front with the former threading through a couple of excellently timed passes towards the Saintfield circle, with Carolyn forcing the keeper in to one double save to keep the Dee out.

Donaghadee were delighted to welcome Helen Herron back to midfield and she joined Rachelle Pearson and Hannah Younge – fresh from that morning’s Bangor 10k and on to their second soaking of the day – and these three kept driving Donaghadee forward, Hannah in particular sliding in to the Saintfield circle to get on the end of a cross and only narrowly missing a good connection at the Saintfield goal mouth.

At the other end Saintfield created a number of threatening chances and eventually took advantage; a drag flick from the edge of the circle just evading Faith, despite the keeper doing tremendously well to get a pad to it. 1-0 to the home side.

Donaghadee looked to provide a quick response and with Row Moore on at right back and Chloe Ferguson in left midfield, they looked to change the point of attack. Late on the Dee earned a couple of penalty corners of their own with Jess going closest at the near post but with no conversions it ended with a 1-0 victory to Saintfield.

Thanks for Ulster Hockey for providing the umpires and congratulations to Faith McMillen for her Star Player performance in the Dee goal. The team is at home to Owls this Saturday, pass back at BGS is 1pm.

1XI Sponsor Shoutouts
We are delighted that the following players from Saturday’s match are being individually sponsored. If you would like to sponsor your favourite player, please speak to them directly or email us at dlhc@hotmail.co.uk. View all sponsored players here

Friendly: Ballymena 2-3 DLHC 2XI
With Raphoe the latest team to pull out of Junior 10, Donaghadee 2s travelled to Ballymena to play a friendly just to get some game time ahead of the league matches starting, next Saturday all being well.

The first minutes were end to end with both teams threatening on the attack but despite best efforts, there were no clear chances. The Donaghadee defence of Floss Patton, Natalie Jamieson, Angela Parker and Lisa Higgins were on top form to help out wonderful stand-in keeper Megan Inglis – normally found in the middle of defence but filling in this week in the pads and kickers. Despite some stout defending from the Dee, Ballymena capitalised on a chance and they went 1-0 up. 

A slight reshuffle in the line up meant Erin Hamilton slotted in at right mid for the second quarter and it wasn’t long before some great link up play between Floss, Erin and Ellen Campbell led to Ellen firing a shot at an almost impossible angle which beat a defender and the keeper, bringing the score to 1-1. 

The third quarter started off similarly to the first with all the play being equally shared up and down the pitch. Caroline Davison was proving her defensive capabilities as she broke down plenty of attacks in that sweeping midfield role, while going forward Donaghadee had a few more chances in the circle, including Vicky O’Neill firing just wide of the post. Again, Ballymena took advantage of a break and scored to take the score to 2-1.

Into the fourth quarter and Donaghadee were determined to keep up the tempo and it wasn’t long before Lauren Niblock gave a lovely pass to Emily Morris who was able to make a run towards the circle. A quick pass allowed Katie McKee to fire home and bring the score to 2-2. No less than 3 minutes later, Katie picked up the ball near the half way line and beat several defenders to make her way into the circle and score her second goal of the afternoon, making the final score 3-2 to Donaghadee.

Katie Mckee received Star Player for her non-stop running and goal-scoring performance and she thanked Megan for stepping into goals and making some amazing saves for the tea,. A massive thank you to Ballymena for agreeing to the match last-minute to getting the team some game time and also for providing both umpires so all of the Dee players could get some game time!

The team is hopeful that the league will finally get underway this weekend at home to South Antrim, pass back 2.30pm at BGS.

2XI Sponsor Shoutouts
We are delighted that the following players from Saturday’s match are being individually sponsored. If you would like to sponsor your favourite player, please speak to them directly or email us at dlhc@hotmail.co.uk. View all sponsored players here

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