Senior 2: Ballyclare 4-0 DLHC 1XI
With Ballyclare sitting just one point above Donaghadee before the start of Saturday’s clash, Donaghadee’s 1XI were aware a good result would see them hop the hosts and climb a little bit closer to mid-table and Senior 2 safety.
Played out on a dry, crisp November afternoon, the match proved to be an end-to-end affair but where Ballyclare’s clinical finishing and attacking pace made the difference against a determined Dee defence.
Coming out strongly from the first whistle and applying heavy pressure that saw Donaghadee quickly forced into defensive mode, Ballyclare’s initial breakthrough came via an unusual defensive lapse: a quick Ballyclare transition caught the back line flat and high up the pitch, allowing a lone high forward to move unmarked and convert the resulting pass, giving the home side an early cushion. While Donaghadee fought hard to stabilise the pressure, Ballyclare managed to double their advantage, sending Donaghadee into the break trailing 2-0 at halftime.
The second half was characterised by quick breaks and rapid movement through the home side’s midfield but despite the onslaught the Dee defence showed resilience against the relentless Ballyclare attacks. Over the course of the match, in testament to their dominance, Ballyclare generated seven clear shots on goal but Donaghadee’s defensive effort managed to restrict the number of major opportunities, leaving Ballyclare to try and assert further authority through their well-worked penalty corner routines.
In the Dee’s attacking circle, chances were hard-won, with two clear shots on target but unfortunately for the Dee, neither found the back of the net. At the other end, Ballyclare consolidated their efforts, managing to find the net twice more, bringing the final score to 4-0 on what was ultimately a disappointing end result for Donaghadee.
There was certainly no lack of effort across the pitch from Donaghadee, where the energy and commitment from the squad was without question, and the team will look to improve on the fine margins required to take something from the next game at home to Club KV on Saturday, pass back 1pm.
Junior 10: Ballynahinch 1-2 DLHC 2XI
Donaghadee 2s made the short journey to St Colman’s High in Ballynahinch last Saturday, with the full squad of 13 looking for a win to build on the hard-earned draw against Enniskillen the previous week.
In a signal of their intent, Donaghadee were straight on the attack and pressuring the Ballynahinch defence from the first whistle. Katie McKee – on one of her trademark attacking runs – found Vicky O’Neill at the top of the circle with a pinpoint cross. A lovely slip from Vicky to Kerrie Turtle saw the latter calmly rounding the keeper and slotting the ball home to give Donaghadee a deserved lead.
At the other end, Floss Patton, Megan Inglis, Chloe Ferguson and Laura Hamilton were providing a solid wall at the back, breaking down any Ballynahinch attacks, and releasing Caroline Davison to turn defence into attack from a defensive midfield starting position.
Changes in personnel made to freshen legs and keep forward momentum saw Lisa Higgins and Molly McKee introduced, with Lisa called into action almost immediately to intercept one threatening Hinch attack, before turning the ball over and threading a dangerous pass through to Emily Morris, who accelerated up and down the left wing tirelessly all afternoon, while Erin Hamilton was key on the right wing, making great runs and feeding the ball through for the forwards to pick up.
It wasn’t long before Donaghadee capitalised on another chance with Vicky sending a beautifully weighted pass through to Molly whose well placed strike evaded the keeper to double the Dee’s advantage.
With Ballynahinch determined to up their attack, they continued to press the Dee defence, but Donaghadee keeper Janice McVeigh was on form to keep the danger away.
Following a spell of home pressure, including a disallowed penalty corner, Ballynahinch were still pressing forward and it was only so long before their attacking play did the damage: a goal was pulled back to make for a nervy last portion of the game, but Donaghadee held on resolutely for the final whistle, with the final score 2-1 to Donaghadee and that vital win providing a valuable 3 points as Donaghadee leapfrog Ballynahinch into 4th place in Junior 10.
A massive thank you to Lisa and Kerrie for umpiring the first half and to coach Willie McAdam for making it from the Firsts’ game in Ballyclare to Ballynahinch to umpire the second half.
The 2XI play Bangor at 2.30pm at BGS on Saturday – all support welcome!
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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