Whitehead Eagles F. C.

Saturday 23rd January 2010: Barn 3 v Whitehead 2 (Shield Match)
Another month without a match and limited training was only too visible. A slow start on a very wet and heavy pitch playing uphill was only going to result in one thing and that came within the first 3 minutes with Barn slotting in a very easy goal. This was followed swiftly by goals 2 and 3, leaving us 3-0 as the halftime whistle came. With Ryan Davison coming on for Jack Quiery a revived whitehead took the game back to Barn and Ryan Davison made good bringing the score to 3-1. With plenty of chances on goal, Whitehead were held until late in the second half when Sam McCluskey put home a penalty. A now eager Whitehead were in full control of the game but sadly despite more chances on goal, the whistle beat us.
Despite a slow start the game showed us that Barn are not invincible, we just have to take the game to them from the start.
The Referee's man of the Match was Ryan McNally. Chris Jones

Saturday 12th December 2009: Barn 3 v Whitehead 2
A fighting spirit really showed in the Whitehead team that took to the pitch against Barn, and a goal from Brandon really shook Barn to the core. But unfortunately they soon rallied and despite several Whitehead chances and some great saves from Thomas, Barn managed to convert their limited chances into goals. A late consolation goal from Sam McCluskey earned him Man of the Match but it was not enough to keep us from getting knocked out of the cup.
A great effort from the whole team who really showed a determined fighting spirit, let's keep that up... Chris Jones

Saturday 5th December 2009: Ballysillan 2 v Whitehead 2
A sleeping Whitehead sat back and allowed Ballysillan to walk through them in the first half, and despite having numerous attempts in the Ballysillan goal area they found no joy. However, Balysillan with their few shots found the back of the net, the result being 2 goals down at half-time. After another slow start at half-time the team seemed to find a new resolve and merged as a team to take control of the game. A magnificent corner shot by Brandon Irvine resulted in a great header into the Ballysillan goal by Sam. Going from strength to strength, Whitehead took charge and kept coming. An unfortunate penalty miss by Brandon could have taken us level, however, Jack Quiery jumped on a mistake by the keeper to bring us level. The final result was probably fair but could have been oh so different. The next game is a cup game against Barn - we need to be awake and sharp for that guys. PENATLY TAKING PRACTICE TUESDAY.. Chris Jones

Saturday 28th November 2009: Barn Utd 4 v Whitehead 3
On Saturday we faced Barn for the second time. A tough Barn team bullied their way through the first half getting the upper hand with brute force. However, a tough and resilient Whitehead played with more skill and more determined spirit, being rewarded just before half-time with a goal, making it 4-1 at the break. The second half however saw a different game, pushing Barn back on their heals more and more; goals 2 then 3 came to whitehead, with the whistle sounding for full time at 4-3 Whitehead had the upper hand, and Barn clinging on to get their 3 points. Man of the Match was rightly awarded to Callum Toppen. A tough game, against a tough team, however a more skilful Whitehead really took the game to them. Well played guys keep up the hard work.. Chris Jones

Saturday 14th November 2009: Whitehead 2 v Northend Utd 2
After a frustrating month without a match, an eager and ready Whitehead team came out all guns blazing, with a couple of key team players missing the remaining team rallied around and filled the gaps, playing what was probably their best game of the season so far. Frustratingly a couple of early chances on the Northend goal never transferred to the score sheet and an early goal by Northend midway through the first half took them into the lead. However, Whitehead kept their heads up and with renewed vigour kept up their attack on the Northend goal. This was rewarded by a great strike from Ryan Mcnally making it all even going into half time. A frustratingly simple goal early into the second half saw Northend take the lead again, but Whitehead, now getting the upper hand and creating the majority of chances on goal, kept pressing harder into Northends territory, and after a couple of frustrating misses on the Northend goal by our strikers, a fantastic strike late into the second half by Michael McCartney from a free kick soared over the heads of the defence and into the top left of the goal leaving the goalkeeper no chance. The referee blew the whistle shortly after for what was a fair result from a very entertaining game. The Referee's Man of the Match was Ryan McNally.

Guys - a fantastic effort from all the team and I would especially mention Louis Bennett for an outstanding performance, I was especially proud when the opposition's manager stopped by to say that this was their best game of the season and that he thought our guys played 'out of their skins'. Great game guys, very well played. Chris Jones

Saturday 17th October 2009: Ballysillan Youth 0 v Whitehead Eagles 3
After two weeks of suffering the Eagles came out and flourished, coming straight out and taking the game to Ballysillan. It was no time until the inevitable happened when Callum Toppen let fly a shot that their keeper just couldn't hold onto. Sam McCluskey deserved an award for the most amusing goal shortly after, by bouncing the ball off both posts before it went into the back of the net. Ballysillan did make a valiant attempt in the second Half but a great run and goal by Andrew Gibson took the game to its conclusion. All-round a great performance from all the boys, a much improved team effort. Chris Jones

Saturday 10th October 2009: Whitehead Eagles 0 v North End Utd 3
A game of two different teams. An on-form North End came to Whitehead pitches seeking revenge for a beating at home, and got what they were looking for. Whilst the Eagles did all the running, North End passed the ball through our mid field and despite some valiant defending their big forward and really quick right wing played havoc with our defence. A couple of small glimmers from the Eagles' forwards at the North End goal were easily taken care of. In the end, the final whistle was a welcome relief for the Eagles. Chris Jones

Saturday 3rd October 2009: Whitehead Eagles 1 v Barn United 5
Alas on Saturday we faced our first defeat, a sharp Barn Team took full advantage of a sleeping Whitehead squad, with the resulting 5-1 score line. A glimmer of hope came in the first half with an excellent strike from Sam McCluskey, however this was not enough to quell Barn's spirit and the second half saw Barn take full advantage.

Next week will see Whitehead vs Northend Utd at Whitehead Kick off at 11 am. Chris Jones

Saturday 19th September 2009: Newington Colts 0 v Whitehead Eagles 3
An eager Whitehead arrived at Woodburn pitches, ready and willing. Unfortunately however Newington Colts never bothered to show up, as such whitehead are awarded a 3-0 win by default. A poor substitute as all the boys and coaches will tell you.

Next week is a free week from the league, we will however be training this week Tuesday as normal and also on Saturday at 9.30am - 10.30am. Chris Jones

Saturday 12th September 2009: Whitehead Eagles 2 v Ballysillan 2
A confident and determined Eagles came out and took the game straight to their opponents, but despite having the majority of the first half in Ballysillan's end, the Eagles just could not get off enough shots at an equally determined Ballysillan goal keeper, and as such a frustrated Eagles came off 0-0 at half time. With renewed vigour the Eagles came back out and quickly renewed their campaign, this time with Brandon Irvine keeping a cool head and making the most of a mistake by their keeper, and taking the ball around the back and walking it into the net 1-0. Very soon after Callum Toppen released a cracking strike at goal to make it 2-0, however on such a warm day a now tiring Eagles team started to flag and Ballysillan took advantage and very quickly made it 2-2 . With ten minutes to go Ballysillan brought the game to the Eagles, and kept our now tired defence on their toes, with the whistle blowing for full time the Eagles stay joint top of the League with Ballysillan
Man of the match was awarded to both Callum Toppen and Ballysillan's No 16.

I would also like to wish Joel McNeice all the best and hope he is back on his feet soon, no broken bones thankfully, good luck Joel. Well done to all the boys on a tough hard fought match, hopefully we can improve on our fitness and striking on goal next week against the colts. Chris Jones

Saturday 5th September 2009: North End United 2 v Whitehead Eagles 5
The boys started with a flourish and quickly went 2-0 up but after settling down North End came back with a goal to make it 1-2 at half time. After half time the boys came back out and again setup camp in North End's half, this very quickly translated into another 2 goals making it 1-4. North End added another goal in the second half to make it 2-4 but a late penalty was conceded to Whitehead when Jack Quiery was fouled in the box. Brandon Irvine converted to make a final score of 2-5 to the Eagles. Man of the match was announced as Jack Quirey. All in all a fantastic start to our campaign, well done to all the boys. Chris Jones

2009/2010 Top Scorers