20/2/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 3-0 Newcastle and NICS 0-3 Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 22/02/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 3-0 Newcastle Nomads
Triple delight for Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club last weekend, with both teams running out 3-0 winners and the 1XI notching up their third victory in a row.

With the 1XI’s season rapidly drawing to a close, the race has been on to secure sufficient points to ensure Senior 3 status is assured for next season and the girls didn’t disappoint with this result at home to Newcastle; their third win from three games. Captain Ali Lawther had an almost full strength team at her disposal with Lisa Higgins back in the fray after a week’s absence and Laura Boyle, home on a break from work, putting in a cameo appearance.

Donaghadee started brightly and immediately ensured the Newcastle defence had plenty to think about, with probing runs in the wide channels by Ruth Coulter and Kerry Kennedy. Helen Hooks showed her worth, once again, as a dynamic midfielder with a typical forward burst and pinpoint pass which Sarah Harkness was delighted to latch on to to unleash a powerful strike past the Newcastle goalkeeper. Further patient build up play on the left through Kat McFarlane and Helen created Donaghadee’s second chance, with Carolyn Scott nipping in ahead of the onrushing keeper to put Donaghadee 2-0 up going in to half time.

With only a point separating the two teams before pass back, there was everything to play for: entirely evident when Newcastle began the second half strongly, creating chances which Nicola Patton did well to repel, with defenders Claire Stewart, Amy Long and Paige Reilly doing any further mopping up as required. Caitland Crockett popped up at the other end with her second goal in as many matches shortly before the full time whistle to put the result beyond doubt and secure another valuable three points for Donaghadee.

Many thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring. the 1XI travel to Lurgan on Friday night for the second round of the Intermediate Plate before resuming league duties at home to Newry on Saturday 5th March.

Junior League 8: NICS 4XI 0-3 Donaghadee LHC 2XI
Donaghadee 2XI travelled to Stormont on Saturday to play NICS 4XI.  The visitors were keen to put the last couple of weeks behind them and so started the game strongly which paid off as within a matter of minutes they earned themselves a penalty corner. The ball was played out to Karen Fegan who struck it cleanly leaving the NICS defence stunned at going down 1-0 so early on in the game.

Donaghadee continued to exert pressure with Angela Parker and Emily Morris linking well together to play the ball through to forward Maura Hennessey. Maura entered the circle and although her strike was on target the NICS keeper managed to take some pace off the ball but when the defence failed to clear the ball to safety, Karen was on hand to add another to her ever increasing tally of goals this season.

The NICS team stepped up play and then it was their turn to exert some pressure on the Dee defence of Debbie Findlater, Lisa Alexander and Tori Rollo.  The defenders generally gave keeper Janice McVeigh little work to do apart from one impressive diving save which was necessary to keep NICS off the scoreboard. Karen and Melissa Rollo were on hand as the runners in defensive penalty corners to once again thwart the efforts of the home side.

After half time both teams enjoyed some competitive play with both sides having their chances. Elle Fegan, Deborah Gilmour, Nikki Robinson and Melissa all rotated to provide fresh legs between the Dee back line and the midfielders and consistently made some great tackles showing the strength in the 2XI defence. A quick run from Angela up the right side of the pitch resulted in her producing a very impressive flick right over the keeper’s head with the ball ending up in the top left corner of the net.

In the final couple of minutes Vickie Pollock broke into the circle and although it looked like the Dee might add another to their tally it was not to be. The final score ended 3-0 ensuring Donaghadee took away the 3 points for the win, a good confidence boost for the team after a difficult couple of matches recently. Many thanks to Mike Smyth for umpiring. Donaghadee play Owls this Saturday at Bangor Grammar.

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12/2/16 Annadale 1-2 Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-4 North Down

Posted on 16/02/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Annadale 1XI 1-2 DLHC 1XI
Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI seal vital 2-1 win against Annadale with gritty, determined display

Having beaten this team 3-1 at home earlier in the season, and with last week’s morale-boosting win over neighbours Holywood, there was a quiet optimism that Donaghadee could get something from this match.

Both sides worked the respective defences in the early exchanges; indeed Dee forward Carolyn Scott found herself with space in the attacking circle but her reverse stick shot was tame and the danger was easily cleared by the Annadale keeper. At the other end, the Donagadee Number 1 Nicola Patton was called into action on several occasions to clear the lines which she did with her usual aplomb. There are also signs that the Dee defence are really starting to click with Amy Long, Claire Stewart and Paige Reilly all working well as a unit across the back, with Ali Lawther providing the link between the defence and attacking midfielders.

In one spell of Annadale pressure down the right, several Donaghadee players close to the ball felt that an Annadale foot should have resulted in a clearing free hit but with no whistle forthcoming, the home forward finished the move to put her side ahead as half time approached. Donaghadee kept their shape and attacking intent however with Kat McFarlane, Helen Hooks and Ruth Coulter all pressing forward from midfield when the opportunity arose.

In the second half Donaghadee were finding themselves with ever more space as they attacked and on more than one occasion Sarah Harkness, running across the Annadale defence, was desperately unlucky not to latch on to the through ball to see her clean through on the home keeper. The breakthrough for Donaghadee came when Tasha Paxton rattled an unstoppable shot into the back of the Annadale net to draw the two sides level.

With 12 minutes before the full time whistle, from an almost identical spot in the Annadale circle, Caitland Crockett hit an equally ferocious strike to give Donaghadee the lead for the first time in the match and a richly deserved victory. Many thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring. The 1XI are next in action on Saturday at home to Newcastle, pass back 1pm.

Junior League 8: DLHC 2XI 0-4 North Down 5XI
Donaghadee 2XI met North Down 5XI for the second time in as many weeks on Saturday at Bangor Grammar, this time for the league encounter between the two sides.  Although North Down won the previous meeting, Donaghadee went into the game positive having learnt from the match the preceding week.

Donaghadee started the game well with the midfielders Karen Fegan, Emily Morris and Deborah Gilmour trying to break through the North Down defence but it didn’t take North Down long to get organised and exert pressure on the Dee defence. Elle Fegan, Tori Rollo and Debbie Findlater were kept busy during the game and together with keeper Siobhan McAdam who made some impressive saves, they cleared many of the visitors’ open play attacks to safety. North Down won themselves several penalty corners though and through a well-rehearsed routine slipped two past the Dee defence before half time.

After the turn around, Donaghadee stepped up their play and with some great attacking runs from both Maura Hennessey and Vickie Pollock broke into the circle but were denied any reward for their efforts.  North Down retaliated with some neat passing work and carved their way past Nikki Robinson, Melissa Rollo and Carmen Van Der Schyff to score from an impressive cross from the right which was deflected neatly by their left wing in the circle.

They soon added another to finish the match at 4-0. Although the score line did not go the home side’s way this week, the Dee can take a lot away from their recent encounters with North Down who are arguably the best side in Junior 8 having not lost a league match yet this year. Many thanks to Jon Scott for umpiring. Donaghadee 2XI travel to Stormont this Saturday to play NICS, pass back 1pm.

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6/2/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 3-1 Holywood and Donaghadee 2XI 1-5 North Down

Posted on 08/02/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Donaghadee LHC 3-1 Holywood 1XI
Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI secured a most valuable 3 points on Saturday in the quest for safety in Senior 3 with a 3-1 home victory over neighbours Holywood.

Holywood have been enjoying a good season so far, secure in third pace in the league and, with a 6-1 victory over Donaghadee at the start of the season, this was going to be no easy game for the home side. There have been signs in recent weeks though that the Dee have been starting to adjust to the pace of life in Senior 3, with an excellent point earned against second place Saintfield just after Christmas.

After 2 weeks of inaction thanks to opponents conceding in the Intermediate Plate, followed by the postponement of the league fixture away to Coleraine due to an unplayable pitch, Donaghadee were keen to get this game underway.

Holywood had pass back in pretty awful conditions and they immediately tested Donaghadee’s defence with Claire Stewart called into early action to sweep away the danger. Keeper Janice McVeigh certainly earned her callup from the 2XI too, with several timely saves and an outstanding dive to keep Holywood at bay. Excellent positional sense and reading of the game by Amy Long thwarted a number of attacks down Donaghadee’s right, while Paige Reilly tucked in on the left to keep danger away from that side.

Donaghadee were good value attacking too, with midfielders Kat McFarlane, Helen Hooks and Kerry Kennedy providing the link between back and front, and forwards Carolyn Scott and Kerrie Turtle adding impetus to the goal threat.

One foray forward led to a penalty corner for the home side and, in a well rehearsed move, Captain Ali Lawther was left unmarked to sweep the ball past the diving Holywood keeper. Donaghadee then gave themselves a 2-0 advantage going into the turnaround when Sarah Harkness got her second goal for the club just before half time.

Not surprisingly Holywood applied plenty of their own pressure in the second half and they pulled an early goal back to make things a little bit more exciting (nerve-wracking?) for the hardy supporters on the sideline. Undeterred, the Dee kept pressing and their persistence paid off with another penalty corner; Kerry K was on hand this time to scoop the ball over the keeper at the second attempt to restore Donaghadee’s 2-goal advantage. Final score 3-1 to Donaghadee.

Thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring and honorable mention to Tasha Paxton, Maura Hennessey and Lisa Higgins who not only did their bit in the 1XI match, but went on to complete their soaking playing in the subsequent 2XI match! Next match is away to Annadale on Saturday, pass back 1pm at Lagan College.

Minor Plate 1: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-5 North Down 5XI
Donaghadee 2XI met North Down 5XI in the First Round of the Minor Plate on Saturday at Bangor Grammar in rather inclement conditions. Donaghadee were missing a number of their regular players but those who were available pulled together.

North Down were clearly an experienced team with slick passing moves and lightning quick finishes within the Dee circle which ultimately led to them rattling the back board on a number of occasions. Donaghadee did have several chances of their own and during one prolonged series of penalty corners in the second half, Maura Hennessey unleashed one of her trademark shots getting the Dee onto the scorecard.

Ultimately on the day North Down took their chances quickly and outplayed Donaghadee finishing the match at 5-1. The two sides meet again on Saturday at Bangor Grammar for the league match encounter, pass back 2.30pm. Donaghadee are confident of having a more even scoreline next week as they now know what to expect. Many thanks to Nicola Patton for umpiring.

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30/1/16 Coleraine P-P Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-1 Queen’s

Posted on 04/02/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Junior League 8: Donaghadee LHC 2XI 1-1 Queens 5XI
Donaghadee 2XI welcomed Queens 5XI on Saturday to Bangor Grammar for the first encounter of the season between these two teams. The visitors won the passback electing to play with the strong cold wind on their back and the Dee team looking into the low sun.  This gave Queens the definite advantage for most of the first half with Donaghadee battling with the elements.

As ever the Dee defence held strong and were not going to let the Queens’ attacks get past them easily with Lisa Alexander, Tori Rollo and Debbie Findlater, ably assisted by Deborah Gilmour and Tasha Paxton, all clearing their lines on several occasions. Tina Sterling stepped back into her keeper’s kit for the first time after a long break and picked up exactly where she left off, showing no signs of having forgotten what to do and making an impressive double save on one occasion.

Donaghadee won themselves a penalty corner which was struck well by Melissa Rollo but sadly inched just wide of the left post. Queens however continued to mount the pressure and managed to net the ball from a penalty corner of their own putting them ahead shortly before half time.

With the change of ends came a change of dynamics and this time Donaghadee looked the stronger side putting more pressure on the Queens defence. During one period of play down the right side of the pitch Emily Morris fed the ball in to Caitland Crockett who found Carmen Van Der Schyff unmarked at the top of the circle.  Carmen, also back to the hockey pitch for the first time after a period of absence, struck the ball well wrong footing the Queens keeper to square the game up.

Encouraged on by the supporters Dee pushed ahead looking for the win and for a moment it looked like they were going to put themselves ahead for the first time in the match.  In the dying minutes Karen Fegan and Elle Fegan enjoyed some nice interlocking play and played the ball through to Vickie Pollock with her resulting shot whistling past the far post.

The match finished in a 1-1 draw giving Donaghadee a well deserved point.

Many thanks to Hannah McAdam for umpiring. Next week Donaghadee LHC 2XI play North Down 5XI in the first round of the Minor Plate at the Grammar, pass back 2.30pm.

Senior League 3: Coleraine P-P Donaghadee LHC 1XI
The 1XI had an unexpected free Saturday for the second week in a row when last weekend’s league match fell victim to the weather with Coleraine’s pitch covered in a layer of snow, so they’ll be looking forward to welcoming Holywood to Bangor Grammar on Saturday, pass back 1pm.

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23/1/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI v Ballyclare (WO) and Coleraine 1-0 Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 26/01/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Junior League 8: Coleraine 3XI 1-0 DLHC 2XI
With the weather having played havoc to Donaghadee 2XI matches so far this year, the girls in red and green were looking forward to getting back playing competitive hockey on Saturday when they travelled to Coleraine for their first match since mid-December. Due to their prolonged break the visitors were understandably rusty and the home side capitalised on this with their well-rehearsed drills making them the stronger side in the opening exchanges.

Coleraine were awarded several penalty corners throughout the match but the experienced Dee defence held strong throughout every attempt, ably assisted by Nikki Robinson who stepped into the goalkeeper’s kit for the first time for this match and whose football skills came in very handy as she cleared several efforts from the Coleraine forwards.

Early in the second half Coleraine continued their pressure on the Dee defence and during a melee in the Dee circle with Nikki’s view blocked, Coleraine slipped the ball into the back of the net putting the home side 1-0 ahead. With a Coleraine player receiving 5 minutes in the sin bin for a misdemeanor the Dee pressed forward hoping to capitalise on their numerical advantage to even the game up. On the occasions when the Donaghadee forwards were able to break through the Coleraine midfield down the left sideline, sadly the team were not able to finish the job off with a goal.

A disappointing final 1-0 scoreline against a much improved Coleraine team from their first round encounter earlier in the season. Many thanks to Coleraine player Emma Harkness for umpiring. Donaghadee play Queens this week at home at 2.30pm.

Intermediate Plate, round 1: DLHC 1XI WO Ballyclare
The 1XI’s first round Intermediate Plate match was a walkover for the Dee, with Ballyclare conceding the game on Saturday morning. Donaghadee will meet Lurgan in the second round at the end of February but in the meantime, a trip to league leaders Coleraine 1XI is scheduled for Saturday.

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16/1/16 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 0-4 Kilkeel

Posted on 19/01/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior 3: Donaghadee LHC 1XI 0-4 Kilkeel
With much of the Province experiencing the first real wintery snap of the season, it turned out that Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI match against Kilkeel was the only fixture in Senior 3 to take place; the splendid pitch at Bangor Grammar in superb condition.

Unfortunately it transpired that this was, on a bitingly cold afternoon, pretty much the only splendid thing about the day. Having played extremely well against top-half Saintfield the previous week, and earning a valuable point in the 0-0 draw, Donaghadee wanted, nay – needed, to reproduce a similar performance this time round in the quest for points and league safety.

It wasn’t to be however, with Kilkeel a well-organised and compact side with good movement both on and off the ball. Donaghadee struggled for answers and the away side were quick to take their chances in the circle, putting 4 unanswered goals past the home side in a fairly one-sided affair. Thanks to Caitland Crockett for umpiring this less-than-dazzling performance from her 1XI!

The 1XI now have a week’s break from league action as they enter the first round of the Intermediate Plate on Saturday at home to Ballyclare, passback 2.30pm.

The 2XI were due to play Owls on Friday night but this match also fell victim to the weather. They next play on Saturday away to Coleraine 3XI, passback 2.30pm.

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9/1/16 Saintfield 0-0 Donaghadee LHC 1XI

Posted on 11/01/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Saintfield 1XI 0-0 Donaghadee LHC 1XI
It was second versus bottom last weekend when Donaghadee Ladies 1XI made the short trip to Comber to take on Saintfield at Nendrum College, with Donaghadee having found life in the higher league somewhat of a step up from Senior 4 this year. Indeed Saintfield caught the Dee badly on the hop at the start of the season with 7 unanswered goals not helping the goals against tally for the girls in red and green. There have been signs latterly though that Donaghadee have been starting to dig in and grit their collective teeth and this was never more so in evidence as on Saturday, with a valuable point earned in the quest for league safety come the end of the season.

The pitch survived the Saturday morning downpours and, in what turned into perfect hockey conditions, Saintfield won pass back. They put Donaghadee under an enormous amount of early pressure but Kat McFarland and Paige Reilly – as for the whole game – were immense in the centre of defence, adopting a they-shall-not-pass attitude which was mirrored by wide defenders Amy Long and Lisa Higgins and typified the Donaghadee performance as a whole. On the odd occasion a Saintfield forward did manage to work the ball free in the circle, they found keeper Nicola Patton also on top of her game; a diving stick save at full stretch down to her right to deflect to safety a shot which looked to be heading straight for the bottom corner a particular highlight.

Donaghadee’s midfield fought valiantly too; Captain Ali Lawther provided the platform for her hard-working young central midfield partner Helen Hooks to burst forward when possible. Out wide, Ruth Kennedy and Kerry Kennedy provided the flair with some lovely stick skills on show and telling passes down the flanks. It was one such pass which Maura Hennessey latched on to, and the forward was unlucky to see her shot flash just across the face of the goal.

Where Saintfield had enjoyed good possession in the first half, so it was the Dee’s turn after half time; they utterly dominated the first 20 minutes after the turnaround and really should have gone 1-0 up but for Carolyn Scott’s top-of-the-circle strike just edging the wrong side of the far post. Sarah Harkness and Tasha Paxton were both giving the Saintfield defence food for thought as Donagadee tried to keep the pressure on and the remaining exchanges were end-to-end – but ultimately fruitless – in a thrilling last period for the watching supporters.

Final score 0-0 which not only gives Donaghadee their first point of the season but lifts them off the bottom of the table – a superb start to 2016 and a result they will hope to build on at home to Kilkeel on Saturday, pass back 2.30pm. Many thanks to Willie McAdam for umpiring.

DLHC 2XI were due to play Saintfield 3XI away but the home side’s gravel pitch was a victim of the morning’s heavy rain, leaving the fixture to be fulfilled at a later date. The 2XI will therefore belatedly kick off 2016 with a trip to Owls on Friday night.

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12/12/15 Donaghadee LHC 1XI 0-3 Bangor and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 2-1 Bangor

Posted on 11/01/2016 by Donaghadee LHC

Junior League 8: Donaghadee LHC 2-1 Bangor LHC 2XI
For the final league match of 2015 Donaghadee 2XI hosted local team Bangor 2XI at Bangor Grammar on Saturday. With Donaghadee having narrowly lost the away fixture earlier in the season they were keen to win the maximum points this time round.

Both teams began the match with fairly even paced play with Bangor’s early attacks being swiftly stamped out by Melissa Rollo and Nikki Robinson. Donaghadee enjoyed some great interlinking play between these players and the midfielders Elle Fegan, Emily Morris and Angela Parker who were able to exert pressure on the visiting team.

Donaghadee were awarded a penalty corner which was initially struck well by Melissa whose mum Tori Rollo met the ball with a well timed run onto the left post to sneak the deflection in putting Donaghadee on the scoreboard.

Within minutes Donaghadee were on the attack again with speedy play from Angela and Tasha Paxton on the right side of the pitch creating several great runs and crosses into the circle, one of which was met by Karen Fegan in the centre who gave the Bangor keeper no chance as she swept the ball into the top left corner of the net.

After half time Donaghadee continued to exert pressure with defenders Lisa Alexander and Debbie Findlater also able to push high up the pitch to contribute to the attacking play. Vickie Pollock made a great run down the left side to end up with just the Bangor keeper to beat. She chased her deflected shot down but just ran out of room as it passed wide of the post over the backline.

Bangor then stepped up their play and made a break managing to weave past Kate Pounder and with Donaghadee slow to get back, it was now the turn of the Bangor forward to have just Dee keeper Janice McVeigh to beat. Bangor scored but Donaghadee continued to play out the game without the threat of conceding another goal resulting in Donaghadee winning 2-1. Many thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring.

The win puts Donaghadee second in the league table going into the festive break with the team keen to continue their good team performances into next year.

The 1XI were unable to replicate the Seconds’ excellent win, going down 3-0 against a Bangor 1XI which took their chances in the Donaghadee circle.

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4/12/15 Victorians 1-0 Donaghadee LHC 2XI

Posted on 08/12/2015 by Donaghadee LHC

Minor Cup Round 2: Victorians 1-0 Donaghadee 2XI
Donaghadee 2XI travelled to Strathearn School on Friday night to take on Victorians 3XI in the second round of the Minor Cup. The weather on the night was not kind with strong winds frequently blowing over the goal posts and the floodlights even going out on one occasion!

Having not come across this team in league action before the Dee were not sure what to expect but started the game with their usual determination. With the home side struggling initially as they battled into the wind the Dee tried to exert early pressure by Karen Fegan and Elle Fegan working well up the left side of the pitch trying to find Vickie Pollock, Caitland Crockett and Emily Morris to secure a lead but Victorians were quick to stamp out their efforts.

With some slick passing between the young Victorian players, they held much of the possession and put the Dee defence under a lot of pressure. Lisa Alexander, Tori Rollo, Debbie Findlater and Melissa Rollo, with at times the assistance of Angela Parker and Kate Pounder held strong warding off many attacks but shortly before half time a strike from a Victorians forward just caught a slight deflection off a Dee stick putting the ball out of reach of keeper Janice McVeigh.

Donaghadee were continued to be put under pressure throughout the rest of the game but testament to their defensive play they did not let another goal in, resulting in Victorians winning the match by 1-0 and progressing through to the next round of the Cup with best wishes from Donaghadee.

Many thanks to Deborah Gilmour for stepping up to umpire two weeks in a row, having recently completed the Ulster Hockey rules course and exam and getting in plenty of umpiring practice. Donaghadee 2XI are back in league action on Saturday for the final time in 2015 against Bangor 2XI at 1pm at Bangor Grammar on Saturday.

The 1XI had no match and are looking forward to their own local derby against Bangor on Saturday, passback 2.30pm at BGS.

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21/11/15 Newry 3-1 Donaghadee LHC 1XI and Donaghadee LHC 2XI 0-1 Instonians

Posted on 24/11/2015 by Donaghadee LHC

Senior League 3: Newry 3-1 Donaghadee LHC 1XI
Donaghadee Ladies Hockey Club’s 1XI travelled to fellow promotees Newry Olympic last Saturday in the last match before the midway point in the Senior League 3 programme.

Last season saw a veritable goal fest, with 7 goals scored in the corresponding fixture last November and, with mere points between the two come the end of the 14/15 season, this fixture promised much – despite the fact that Donaghadee have found points harder to come by than their hosts in this new league so far this season.

With Donaghadee trying to play quick attacking hockey from the outset, they were rewarded with a couple of good chances early on – Kerrie Turtle in particular most unlucky when her shot skidded along the goal line with the keeper beaten but no one on hand to tap in at the back post.

Inroads were definitely being made into the home defence, with midfielders Ali Lawther linking well with Helen Hooks, Maura Hennessey (fresh from 2XI duty the previous evening) providing several lovely crosses from the left and Sarah Harkness playing the ball high from a deep central position but the Newry keeper made several well timed saves to keep the score down at that end.

At the other end however, it was a different story, with the home side creating chances against a Donaghadee defence missing Kat McFarland and Paige Riley, with 2XI keeper Janice Mcveigh also stepping up for her second match of the weekend. The players on the pitch – Claire Stewart, Lisa Higgins and Amy Long (the third Dee player on her second match) – did a valiant job in repelling the Newry attacks but eventually conceded to concerted pressure with the home side going in a couple to the good at half time.

After the turn around Donaghadee continued in much the same vein with Tasha Paxton providing the legs down the left and Ruth Coulter providing the impetus down the right. It was Ruth’s pinpoint cross to Carolyn Scott in the circle which broke the deadlock for the Dee as the forward met the ball with a sweeping first time shot beyond the Newry keeper and into the far corner. It was too late a rally though, with 3-1 to the home side the final score.

Thanks to Brian McKee for umpiring and to the three players who did their bit twice over the weekend. Next match is on Saturday at home to Enniskillen.

Junior League 8: Donaghadee LHC 0-1 Instonians
It was a bitterly cold Friday night last week that Donaghadee LHC 2XI welcomed Instonians to Bangor Grammar. The match started with Donaghadee in the ascendancy, with a number of early penalty corners won by forwards Vickie Pollock, Caitland Crockett and Maura Hennessey, but unfortunately for the Dee none of these was converted. Instonians rallied and play was end-to-end allowing two evenly matched teams to be satisfied at the 0-0 half time score line.

The second half, similarly to the first, started in Donaghadee’s favour as the midfield pressed forward through Kerry Savage, Karen Fegan and Deborah Gilmour with added energy supplied by the youth of Elle Fegan and Angela Parker, but they were unable to find the final touch to get the all important score. Donaghadee were missing a few of the regulars but the defensive line up for this game included Nina Wells and Amy Long stepping in to help out Lisa Alexander and the three of them stood firm in defence as Instonians pressed forward.

One final surge saw Instonians capitalizing on an initial save from Donaghadee keeper Janice McVeigh as they knocked in the rebound. Donaghadee battled on to try level the game but there were to be no more goals, leaving the final score Instonians 1, Donaghadee 0. Many thanks to Carolyn Scott for umpiring. Next up for the 2XI is Pegasus at home.

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