Senior 2: DLHC 1XI 0-0 CI
The month of November sees the 1XI having a run of three home games from their four matches and a chance to add some momentum to their season in what has hitherto been a steady start, with a lot of positives albeit without too many points yet to show for it. First up was a visit from second in the table, unbeaten side, CI Ladies, who were in confident form following three successive victories.

With a number of Donaghadee players missing due to injury, illness and work there was a bit of a reshuffle to the starting lineup, but from the start Donaghadee showed they were ready, willing and up for the challenge.

The early stages favoured the visitors; settling more quickly in to fast, free-flowing hockey, they were soon attacking the Dee circle, but superb play by Paige Reilly and Rachelle Pearson in the heart of defence kept CI from getting any clear chances on the Donaghadee goal. As the pressure intensified, CI won a penalty corner and a well worked routine saw them get their first shot on goal, but it was well parried by Dee keeper Faith McMillen, with Jan Morrow following up to sweep the ball to safety.

As Donaghadee looked to stem the seemingly one way traffic, they managed to force a couple of couple of chances on the counter attack; Helen Herron and Hannah Younge were both working hard to get the ball moving wide to Jess Moore and Jordan McWilliams but despite the efforts there weren’t really any clear chances and the CI keeper was untroubled. 

As the half wore on, Chloe Gault came on with almost immediate impact as she intercepted the ball high on the left, feeding forward to Leanna McGimpsey-Younge driving into the circle, but the keeper was quickly out and the final shot slid just wide: scoreless at half time.

Having weathered the storm in the first half, Donaghadee began to play the better hockey after the turn round and another great run in from the right by Jess saw the ball slip just wide of the goal. The quarter then saw things really open up as CI piled forward and won another penalty corner – unconverted – before moments later Donaghadee won the ball in midfield, with Kerry Kennedy picking it up near the circle to race through on goal, but great work from the CI keeper saw her shot turned away.

Into the final ten minutes, and with both sides still probing to find the breakthrough, Donaghadee were putting together a number of good, though ultimately unsuccessful, opportunities through open play while a last chance for CI saw them win a penalty corner and a chance to steal it at the death, but stout defending from Row Moore ensured the shot went wide, leaving the score 0-0 and a valuable point in the bag for Donaghadee.

Thanks to the Ulster Hockey Umpires and to NI Building Surveys for sponsoring the match ball. The 1XI are next in action this Saturday, away to Ballyclare, pass back at The Foundry 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

Junior 10: DLHC 2XI 1-1 Enniskillen
Donaghadee 2s returned to the pitch with a home match against Enniskillen but with unavailability across the club, numbers were tight with four players having also played in the 1XI’s game in the earlier pass back.

Enniskillen showed no signs of the long drive and began strongly but excellent work from Caroline Davison and Natalie Jamieson in the centre of defence kept away from Janice McVeigh in Donaghadee’s goal. In the wider defensive positions, Floss Patton and Faith McMillen were helping to work the ball forward and as the quarter went on Donaghadee began to create chances of their own. 

Emily Morris on the right and Lauren Niblock on the left worked hard to get the ball forward as Rachelle Pearson and Vicky O’Neill ran the midfield to support up-front duo of Katie McKee and Kerrie Turtle, and a great passage of play from Donaghadee forced a good save from the visitors’ keeper as the quarter came to a close.

Chloe Gault and Row Moore came on in quarter two and in a similar fashion to the start of the match, Donaghadee dominated possession but some terrific defensive play by Enniskillen prevented any real clear cut chances, before the Enniskillen keeper made a good save to thwart Kerrie giving Donaghadee the lead. 

Into the final quarter and Donaghadee started to push forward in numbers. Chances fell to Kerrie, Chloe, Vicky and Emily but despite the pressure the visitors’ keeper met each challenge. Against the run of play and with only seven minutes remaining, a rare Enniskillen attack saw them win a penalty corner and despite a super initial save by Janice the rebound fell kindly for the visitors and the rebound was fired home to give Enniskillen an unexpected lead.

Less than two minutes later Donaghadee were back on level terms. With the ball bouncing around the Enniskillen circle as Donaghadee tried to force the attack, a penalty corner was awarded when the ball found a Skins foot. A neat interchange between Emily and Vicky saw the former getting the final touch to sweep home to give Donaghadee and a much deserved equaliser.

Final score 1-1 with thanks to Kerry Kennedy and Mike Smyth 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

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