Senior League 2: Ballyclare 5-0 DLHC 1XI
There was no let up in the tough fixtures for the 1XI following the trip to Limavady: Saturday saw the team travel to Ballyclare as they continue to settle in to Senior 2. With players juggling work and other commitments, there were several new faces appearing, and various players playing in unaccustomed positions as Coach Kerry Kennedy looks to find the balance for the new-look squad.
Donaghadee were delighted to welcome Imogen Magee to the team, recently signed from Club KV, and she was quick to get stuck in up front, making several penetrating runs down the right wing as Donaghadee looked to make some early attacking progress, and backed up by Vicky O’Neill in the right mid position.
At the other end, it was great to see Claire Stewart back in action in the heart of defence, and she was partnered with Rachel Nicholson – who has already featured for the 2XI and is showing her versatility having played in several different positions for the two teams in the last 2 weeks!
As has been the way since she debuted for the club last year, Shell Pearson was on hand to break up Ballyclare’s attacking play as they headed for the final third, putting in a number of timely blocks and turning defence into attack at every opportunity, with Row Moore also involved in the defensive effort to protect Dee keeper Faith McMillen.
Catherine Armstrong – another returnee – was thrown in to the thoroughly deep end when she was asked to cover as first runner at penalty corners, and having stopped a high shot with her thigh at the very first attempt, one suspects it might be a while before she rushes back for that particular job. Hard to refuse when your sister is the coach, mind you…
Ballyclare were playing some tidy hockey that had Donaghadee on the back foot for swathes of the game, but when Jess Brown – fresh from running in the Bangor 10k – arrived to add some guile to the midfield, Donaghadee started to enjoy some possession further up the pitch, with Emily Morris and Kerrie Turtle both putting in a shift to try and get some decent go-forward ball.
One great ball picked out Carolyn Scott who managed to get the shot away, but unfortunately it was just off target, whistling low to the keeper’s right post. It was to be the last of the attacking action from Donaghadee with the final whistle blowing shortly thereafter, with Donaghadee still looking for their first win, but with fewer goals against this week than last, things are going in the right direction!
No match this weekend for the 1XI and they’ll be looking forward to the first home game of the season on 10th October against Rainey.
Junior League 10: DLHC 2s 0-5 CI 5s
The 2XI of Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club stepped out to take on CI again this week, this time in the form of their 5s, following on from the 2-2 draw against CI 6XI last Friday night.
The first quarter started with a bright CI team moving the ball quickly and putting Dee under early pressure. However, the Dee defence proved up for the challenge, making several important interventions, including three excellent saves from the Dee keeper to keep out some very well-struck shots on target.
CI were awarded an early penalty corner, which was quickly charged down by Courtney Visser and safely cleared to the side. It was a sign of things to come however, with CI opening the scoring shortly afterwards to make it 1-0.
Donaghadee continued to work hard defensively, with several brilliant balls out of defence from Megan Inglis helping to relieve the CI pressure, while Joey Patton produced a fantastic reverse stop to prevent CI from immediately turning the attack into another opportunity.
At the other end, Caroline Davison – playing in an unfamiliar forward position – came close to an equaliser late in the quarter. She took a shot towards goal but slipped just outside the right post as she attempted to finish. The first quarter ended with CI leading 1-0.
Going into the second quarter, CI were awarded an early penalty corner, but once again the Dee defence prevented them from adding to their lead; Lisa Higgins produced an excellent piece of defensive work, picking the ball off the goal line after it had nearly found its way into the right corner. CI eventually doubled their advantage when a deflection off the keeper fell kindly for them, allowing them to make it 2-0.
Dee responded immediately from the restart, moving forward at speed, and an excellent pass from Tasha McGimpsey found Zoe Turtle on her way into the circle, putting pressure on the CI keeper.
Dee created a number of similar opportunities and had several attempts at goal but were unable to find the back of the net. Having weathered the storm, CI returned to the attack and added a third goal, leaving Dee 3–0 down at half-time.
Moving into the second half, CI were awarded their fifth penalty corner, and a ball found the back of the net after a deflection to bring the scoreline to 4-0. Despite the scoreline, Dee continued to battle and showed plenty of determination to create opportunities of their own.
Robyn McVeigh, solid in the centre of defence, fired balls up the pitch in search of Hannah Gorman, and really helping to open up the game. In the final quarter, Zara Wood worked tirelessly on the right of Donaghadee’s defence to keep the CI attackers at bay. Dee continued to work as a team right until the final whistle, growing in confidence and going from strength to strength throughout each quarter.
Despite the final 5-0 scoreline, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance, particularly the defensive determination shown throughout the match. The team will take those positives forward as they look ahead to their next fixture.
Thanks to Janice McVeigh for umpiring, to Elevate Storage Solutions for sponsoring the match ball and to the supporters for their encouragement on the sideline. Next up for the 2XI is a trip to the Antrim Forum next Saturday to take on Antrim 2s in the first round of the Junior League Cup. Passback will be at 12:45pm, and all support is welcomed and appreciated.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The 1XI match ball is still available to sponsor, along with several other awesome opportunities, like 1XI and 2XI team sponsors. Contact the club at dlhc@hotmail.co.uk to get involved, or head to donaghadeelhc.co.uk/sponsor-dlhc for more details.
