Junior League 10: DLHC 2XI 1-5 Ballymena
Donaghadee 2XI have enjoyed a strong start in the opening league games as they welcomed Ballymena to BGS last Saturday.

The visitors were quick off the mark, putting the Donaghadee defence of Floss Patton, Megan Inglis, Lisa Higgins and Row Moore under immediate pressure. With Donaghadee unable to clear the danger, it took just three minutes for Ballymena to capitalise and go 1-0 up.

Undaunted Donaghadee looked to turn defence to attack with Caroline Davison putting in some great block tackles in the centre of midfield and feeding the ball wide to Chloe Ferguson and Katie McHenry. Midway through the half Dee forward Kerrie Turtle intercepted a Ballymena hit out, and thanks to her quick thinking and a quick slip to Chloe Gault, the latter was able to slide the ball past the keeper to score her first Donaghadee goal and bring the scoreline to 1-1.

In the second quarter, Dee keeper Janice McVeigh and her defence were constantly working hard to keep Ballymena at bay, with Angela Parker and Laura Hamilton coming on to provide cover at the back. Unfortunately, the strong Ballymena forward line were able to add another two goals to their tally and the scoreline was 3-1.

Joey Patton entered the line up in the third quarter, making her Donaghadee debut and she was quickly on the attack to drive forward from midfield as Donaghadee looked to reduce the deficit. It was however Ballymena who took their chance and they added another to pull further away: 4-1 to the away team.

The final quarter saw Donaghadee determined to convert some of their attacking chances with Vicky O’Neill linking some through balls to Emily Morris – the midfielder was unlucky not to get on the scoreboard as the Ballymena keeper stood firm. 

Despite Donaghadee creating a number of good chances they were made to pay with Ballymena scoring one more before the final whistle to leave the score 5-1.

Player of the match went to Chloe Ferguson for her solid work in midfield and she thanked Mike Smyth and Kerry Kennedy for umpiring. With thanks to Elevate Storage Solutions for sponsoring the match ball.

The 2XI are at home in the Junior Cup this weekend, taking on Holywood for a 2:30pm pass back, while the 1XI head to Omagh for a 2pm pass back in the Intermediate Cup.

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