Eagles suffer defeat to second-bottom Drumbo

Whitehead Eagles could be facing a slightly more anxious end to the season than they might have anticipated after Saturday’s unexpected 2-1 home defeat to second-bottom Drumbo.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Mar 2014, 11:53 BST
Alan Clarke (left) in action for Whitehead Eagles in the game against Drumbo.Alan Clarke (left) in action for Whitehead Eagles in the game against Drumbo.
Alan Clarke (left) in action for Whitehead Eagles in the game against Drumbo.

Drumbo are now six points adrift of Eagles in the Amateur League’s Division 2B, with a game in hand, and just five matches from home. However, given that their only other league victory was against bottom club Rooftop, Whitehead should be safe.

“Drumbo are a much-changed and far better organised side than the one we beat 5-1 up there in November,” said Eagles boss, Raymond Clarke. “But we had enough chances to win it, only we didn’t take them. They took theirs, and that was the difference.”

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Eagles had their two first-choice keepers Mark Wilson and Ryan Morrell out of action, so it was faithful club servant Paul Quiery, a central defender, who was pressed into custodial duty.

It was Drumbo who broke the ice on 53 minutes, breaking away from a Whitehead free-kick and running through from the half way line to give Quiery no chance.

Eagles went further behind on 62 minutes when Drumbo raced through from their own half. Quiery managed to parry the initial shot but it was a Drumbo man who reacted fastest to the loose ball.

There was no doubting the foul on Moran three minutes later though, when put through nicely by Clarke, who stepped up to convert the resultant penalty.

On Saturday Whitehead travel to Temple Rangers.

Whitehead Eagles: Quiery – Stewart, Williams, Adrain, Tierney – Gall, Moran, Clarke, McNair (Doherty) – C McMillan (D Lorimer), Welsh (J Lorimer).