Senior 2: DLHC 1XI 2-0 Owls
After narrow defeats in their opening couple of league games at the start of life in Senior 2, Donaghadee Ladies’ 1XI hosted Mallusk-based Owls in round three on a very blustery, but thankfully after last week, dry day as the dregs of Storm Amy blew away.

Right from the first whistle Donaghadee went on the attack on the wings with Jess Moore down the right and Jordan McWilliams on the left looking to find Kerry Kennedy and Leanna McGimpsey-Young up front.

In the early stages chances were few but midway through the quarter Donaghadee earned a penalty corner thanks to a good spell of pressure on the visiting defence. A double save from the Owls keeper looked to have cleared the danger but the second ball landed right on the stick of perfectly-placed Hannah Younge and she fired home to give Donaghadee a deserved lead.

Whilst much of the play was in the Owls half they did counter from several different angles but Jan Morrow, Jodie MacLaren, Paige Reilly and Rachelle Pearson were working well as a unit, limiting the visitors to a single shot off target and a penalty corner which was well saved by Faith McMillen and at the end of the quarter Donaghadee were good for their 1-0 lead.

With Katie McHenry and Chloe Gault swapping on in midfield, Donaghadee kept up with the pressure going forward; both combining well with Helen Herron to provide a decent attacking platform as Donaghadee looked to increase their lead.

After the half-time turnaround much of the play was between the 23s but Donaghadee were creating the better opportunities thanks to a couple of dangerous breaks but a good save by the visitors’ keeper and a couple of shots sliding just wide meant that there was still just one goal in it at the three quarter mark.

Into the final quarter and an early ball forward by Owls was well cut out by player of the match Paige on the halfway line. Her swift transfer to midfield gave Kerry time to pick out a super cross field pass to Jess on the right sideline.

A trademark slaloming run to the baseline and drive in to the circle from Jess and resulting pinpoint pull back found Carolyn who swept home past the scrambling keeper; a superb team goal to double the lead.

Donaghadee dominated for much of the remaining quarter but as the seconds counted down a final twist saw Owls win a penalty corner just as the final whistle blew. With enough time to take the corner, Paige cleared to ensure Donaghadee kept the clean sheet and bagged their first valuable three points in Senior Two.

With thanks to Ulster Hockey for providing the two umpires for the game, and to NI Building Surveys for sponsoring the match ball. Congratulations to Paige for her Star Player performance in defence and driving into midfield, and a quick shout out to Carolyn for scoring her 150th recorded goal for the club. 

The 1XI have a break this weekend (11th October) but are back in action the following week (18th October) with an away trip to Omagh in the Intermediate Cup.

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

Junior League 10: DLHC 2XI 3-2 South Antrim
Donaghadee 2s finally got their league campaign underway at the 3rd attempt last Saturday after the first couple of games fell foul of other teams pulling out of the league.

South Antrim were the visitors and a quick attack straight from the first whistle caught Donaghadee unawares and the ball was in the back of the net after just 23 seconds.

Donaghadee quickly put the early shock behind them and with Emily Morris on the right and Molly McKee on the left, Donaghadee looked dangerous going forward; Vicky O’Neill, Katie McKee and Kerrie Turtle all threatening to get the Dee back in the game with some clever attacking play. Just three minutes after South’s goal, the ball fell to Kerrie in the circle and she fired it home to make it 1-1.

There was little time for celebration however as South Antrim were quickly back on the front foot and less than 2 minutes later a break into the circle and a hopeful shot made it past keeper Janice McVeigh and 1-2 on the scoreboard.

Into the second quarter and despite a lot of great effort there were very few clear chances for either side and at half time it remained advantage to the visitors.

After words of encouragement at half time, the home side were straight on the attack and they won a penalty corner within the first few minutes. Injected by Emily the ball was quickly returned to her and she swept it in past the keeper to bring things level at 2-2.

It was now all to play for as both sides pushed for the winner and although the visitors worked hard to get into the Dee circle, sterling work from Row Moore, Lisa Higgins, Megan Inglis and Laura Hamilton kept them from getting any clear shots on goal.

Caroline Davison, Erin Hamilton and Lauren Niblock were now dominating the midfield and a great run through from Emily saw the ball fired on goal with Kerrie on hand at the back post to make sure it was definitely goal bound. 3-2 to Donaghadee with seven minutes left and having come from behind twice this was a super result to keep the momentum going in to next week, when the 2s welcome Ballymena to BGS, pass back 1pm.

Despite a few more chances being created there was no more scoring and the final whistle blew with a well deserved 3-2 win for the home side. This week’s Star Player award was shared between Lisa and Emily and thanks to Andy Mckee for umpiring and to Elevate Storage Solutions for sponsoring the match ball.

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