Senior League 2: NICS 0-1 DLHC 1XI
After last week’s closely fought battle against league leaders Bangor, the final game of the first half of the season saw Donaghadee head to Playball at Stormont to take on NICS, currently sitting at the bottom of Senior 2, last Saturday. 

For a variety of reasons the Donaghadee squad was missing no fewer than six of its regulars, and perhaps understandably, the opening exchanges were somewhat cagey, with numerous Dee players either playing out of position or stepping up from the 2XI who had no game. 

The first quarter saw both sides create chances, and while Donaghadee threatened the Service circle, the home team were the ones who got the only clear attempt on target, but Faith McMillen in Donaghadee’s goal was equal to the shot, with Row Moore clearing the second ball to safety. 

With 2XI vice captain Megan Inglis coming on for the second quarter to slot in to the centre of defence between Jan Morrow and Rachelle Pearson, it freed up Kerry Kennedy to push forward and Donaghadee started to dominate possession, and assert a lot more pressure much higher up the pitch.

On the right Katie McHenry patrolled the right, helping to close off the home attack and feeding balls forward, with Jordan McWilliams doing likewise on the left, as Donaghadee tried to convert the pressure to clear chances. Two penalty corners in quick succession saw shots just wide of the goal as the momentum built. 

With Helen Herron putting in a massive shift in midfield to win ball after ball, with Ellen Campbell and Emily Morris supporting, Donaghadee were firmly camped in NICS’s defensive quarter, with cross after shot raining in, met each time by stout defending or good saves from the Service number 1.

With just a couple of minutes to half time, Donaghadee finally got the breakthrough. Carolyn Scott intercepted a NICS clearance that was heading across the circle, and her quick thinking fed the ball into Leanna on the right with the final slip coming across for Kerry to fire home; a great team goal and a well deserved lead.

In a tale of two halves however the game became a very scrappy affair in the second half, perhaps indicative of two teams desperate for a vital three points. There were few chances for either side as much of the game was played between the 23s, with just a unconverted single penalty corner for the home team around the hour mark.

Donaghadee themselves only managed a single shot in the final quarter, but working hard to retain possession, they managed to hold on for the win and three points which stretches their lead over the bottom two at the halfway point in the league. Player of the match was awarded to Kerry for her versatility in defence and attack, and she thanked the two Ulster Hockey umpires for officiating.

The 2XI had no match and play in the only match of the weekend at home to Parkview this Saturday, pass back at BGS at 2.30pm, before the final match of the year takes place on Saturday 20^th December when the 1XI meet Bangor in the quarter final of the Intermediate Cup, time and venue to be confirmed.

1XI Sponsor Shoutouts
We are delighted that the following players 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