Senior League 3: Derg Valley 1-3 DLHC 1XI
It’s not often the trip West is made from rain into bright sunshine, but the 1XI of Donaghadee LHC left behind the biblical conditions in Bangor and travelled the 100-odd miles into beautiful autumnal sunshine in the latest round of Senior 3 last Saturday.

With Derg Valley coming off a couple of good victories and Donaghadee missing a couple of regulars, the Dee girls were well aware that there was everything to play for in the Tyrone sunshine.

It was a scrappy first quarter with lots of end to end play, but with little danger created by either side, the sum of the shooting amounted to a single, off-target shot apiece.

With the scoreline sitting stubbornly at 0-0, Donaghadee began to pick up the pace and started to make the ball do the work, creating more threatening chances as they looked to take the lead. Attacking down both flanks and pressing the Derg Valley defenders, Donaghadee finally forced a mistake from the home side and on 23rd minute reward came as Jordan McWilliams fired home, scoring her first Donaghadee goal.

Derg Valley replied with some strong wing work of their own as they looked to reply with a goal of their own but some great work by the Dee defenders kept the home side out wide and well clear of the goal.

Quarter 3 and Donaghadee were beginning to dominate proceedings as wave after wave of red attacks stormed the Derg goal with Dee using the wide channels to keep Derg pinned back and Donaghadee on the front foot.

A cross from wide right was met by Carolyn Scott in the circle and the resulting shot was deflected somewhat fortuitously past the Derg keeper and over the line by a defender to double Donaghadee’s lead.

Jordan was revelling in the attacking midfield role and in the 46th minute she added her second and Donaghadee’s third to give the Dee a welcome cushion, especially when, in the final couple of minutes Derg pushed forward in numbers and broke through to score a well-deserved consolation goal. The game finished 3-1 to Donaghadee, with Jordan picking up not only her first two goals for the Dee but also a Star Player performance too – not a bad afternoon’s work!

Many thanks to Derg for the after-match soup, sandwiches and hospitality which Donaghadee looks forward to returning in the new year. 

The Firsts are back at home on Saturday when they welcome league leaders Castle to BGS, pass back 2.30pm.

Junior League 9A
On Saturday the weather was possibly the most testing aspect for the Seconds as they stepped out against South Antrim 6s at home. The conditions were less than ideal with the rain was coming from all directions creating at times, a heavily waterlogged pitch.

Donagahdee began the game on the front foot, showing their determination to control the flow of the match despite the adverse weather and starting with only 10 players on the pitch. 

With early advances from Katie McKee and Caroline Davison, the South Antrim defence and keeper were put under immediate pressure. As the rain got heavier the pitch got slower, making it ever more challenging to move the ball from defence into midfield quickly. 

South Antrim managed to make a few advances as the game progressed however midfielder Zoe Turtle was there to thwart any attack through the centre with Erin Hamilton helping to the right and Lauren Niblock to the left. Despite hassling the opposition’s defence, Donagahdee did not manage to find the back of South Antrim’s net, meaning the half drew to a close at 0-0.

During the half time break the rainfall intensified, with puddles forming in the middle of the pitch. After a short delay to wait for the rain to abate and the pitch to drain even slightly, both teams agreed to play on and continue the game. After all, everyone was already drenched!

As the second half got underway, both teams continued to battle the elements. Thanks to Natalie Jamieson’s strong hits from the back and Molly McKee’s speed on the wing Donaghadee’s attack continued to be strong and culminating in Donaghadee winning a penalty corner but despite best Dee efforts, the South Antrim keeper cleared well to end the penultimate quarter 0-0.

Going into the final quarter, the Donaghadee defenders found themselves under pressure with Laura Hamilton, Clare Horne and Floss Patton fighting off the South Antrim attacks. After a penalty corner was awarded to the visitors, keeper Faith McMillan made a wonder save by putting the striker under pressure and clearing the ball with an almighty kick to the side. 

With both teams having had chances in awful conditions, it finished up all square at 0-0, with everyone delighted to get off the pitch to get home and dried!

Massive thank you to Mike Smyth who umpired the game on Saturday and a big thank you to the Donaghadee supporters who braved the weather on the side lines. Congratulations to Erin for being this week’s Star Player. 

The Seconds are away to Ballynahinch on Saturday 4^th November, pass-back at 1pm at St Colman’s.

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