10th April 2010

 

Whitehead Eagles made the long journey down the east coast on Saturday morning to play Kircubbin at home in the first meeting between the two sides this season. Traditionally this has been a difficult fixture for Kircubbin, with both teams regularly taking points off each other. This season however Kircubbin's elevated league position would have most people predicting an easy home win. The Kircubbin team was again decimated through injury, and this was exaggerated even further when Cahal McGrattan injured himself during the warm up.

Conditions on the day were perfect for playing football with only a slight breeze blowing off the sea. Whitehead were obviously up for the challenge as they dominated the opening period of play. Kircubbin couldn't quite settle into the game and Whitehead hustled all over the pitch to restrict Kircubbin's play. The pressure paid off for Whitehead midway through the half when their striker was allowed time inside the box to shoot low past Fintan in goals. Disjointed play from Kircubbin and Whitehead's continued pressure helped keep Kircubbin at bay for the first 45 minutes, with only one chance of note which Turlough Bell blazed over the bar. But just before the halftime whistle Kircubbin clawed themselves back into the game. Turlough volleyed a loose ball high into the net through a crowded penalty area to put the sides back on level terms at the break.

This turned out to be the stereotypical "game of two halves", as Kircubbin came out of the blocks quickly in the second half. Whitehead on the other hand didn't have the same drive or determination as Kircubbin bossed the game right from the off. The majority of play was inside the visitors half, with Kircubbin pushing forward desperately trying to force a winner to maintain their charge for promotion. A change in formation saw Francis McCann pushed up front with Matthew Clarke moving out to the wing. Fortunately for Kircubbin this managerial switch paid dividends as Francis managed to get on the end of a cross from the right wing to head Kircubbin into the lead with twenty minutes remaining. Kircubbin couldn't quite find the elusive third goal which would have secured the victory, and Whitehead were still in contention to the very end. Indeed in the final minutes they could have drawn the game when the striker was clean though on goal only to steer his shot wide of the target. Kircubbin held on for a hard fought 2-1 victory.

This week the lads travel to Strangford Avenue behind the Kings Hall to play Holywood Rec. Team to leave at noon.