Whitehaven Amateurs Results
Whitehaven 5 - 1 WashingtonWhitehaven got there Northern League campaign off to the best possible start and were top of the league after the first round of fixtures. It was a more comfortable game than anyone at the club had expected however for the first 10 minutes it looked far from that when Wahington took the game to their hosts however after the nerves of the home side had settled there was only going to be one winner. Whitehaven took the lead when Robert Fowler was fouled in the penaly area, Lee Dixon made no mistake with the resulting spot kick firing low to the 'keepers right. Whitehaven now began to dominate the midfield with Mally Holliday, Lee Dixon, and Carl McGrady working hard to deny the Washington midfielders any time or space, and with Barrie Fowler, Craig Lewis, Graeme Lilly and Kevin Law preventing any real threat to the home sides goal it was Whitehaven who took control. Whitehavens second goal came after good work from Craig Robson down the left wing his pin point cross was converted by Carl McGrady and after the visitors scored our third from an own goal we went in 3-0 up at half time. The second half started pretty much as the first had ended with Whitehaven in the assendancy, this was shown when they scored there fourth from there first attack of the half, Kevin Law getting amongst the scorers from a Holliday corner. To be fair to Washington there heads never dropped and they got a consolation after scoring a brilliant goal from a direct free kick which nestled right in the top corner, Whitehaven finished off the scoring when Craig Robson challenged the keeper and slotted the ball into an empty net. Next up for Whitehaven is an away trip to Thornaby on Tuesday 12th August.
Thornaby 0 - 3 Whitehaven
Whitehaven continued there good start to the season winning 3-0 away at Thornaby, and in all fairness the score could have been better as they had a number of chances to add to there tally in the second half. It was Mike Farrer, Carl McGrady and Craig Robson with the goals for the visitors as they soaked up pressure and hit Thornaby on the counter attack.
Whitehaven 1 - 0 Birtley
Whitehaven's impressive form continued with this 1-0 victory over Birtley. Good football was well nigh impossible in the swirling wind but 'Haven gave notice of their intent when Kev Connelly forced visiting 'keeper Mallinson into a scrambling save. At the other end Craig Routledge made a reflex save to deny Hepple a goal, and Graeme Lilly prevented a score when he intercepted a goalbound effort from Barrie Smith. Apart from that, play was scrappy, although Whitehaven were guilty of some poor finishing with shots going wide or over the bar. It wasn't until the 72nd minute that the game flared into life when Mike Farrer found Connelly at the edge of the area, and his shot was only parried into the path of Craig Robson who made no mistake from close range. Birtley then pressed hard for the equaliser, and after man of the match Kevin Law was fouled from behind, he reacted strongly and was dismissed from the field. The hosts then hung on for a well deserved win.
Carlisle City 1 - 8 Whitehaven Reserves ( County League )
Whitehaven Reserves first game of the season ended in an impressive away victory against a team thought to challenge for the league title this year. Whitehaven Reserves fielded a strong team with plenty of Wearside League experience and it was Stephen Priestley who got the visitors first goal of the season benefitting from some hesitancy in the Carlisle City defence, and the second goal was a carbon copy of the first this time Darren Donald applied a quality finish to make it 2-0, and when Wayne Colling steered the ball home from a corner shortly before half time it was game over. The second half started in the same way as the first with Whitehaven dominating proceedings, Darren Donald was fouled and a penalty was awarded Wayne Collins knocked in the spot kick, Carlisle City did get a consolation turning the ball in from close range following a cross from the right. Stephen Priestley's pace kept finding space behind the home defence and it was no surprise when he managed to score another 3 taking his personally tally to 4. Darren Donald also had time to double his tally and the game finished a resounding 8-1 for Whitehaven.
Windscale Reserves 1 Whitehaven Reserves 5 ( County League )
Whitehaven continued their impressive start to the season, making short work of their near neighbours. Steven Priestley was again the star of the show, scoring four of his sides goals and being a thorn in the hosts side all game. "Tino" Graham added the fifth in his first game of the season, and looks as though he could be pressing for a first team call-up in the near future. Interesting to see ex-player Brian Miller playing out of his usual role ( goalkeeper ) to play as a centre forward, but it didn't affect the result as the visitors dominated throughout.
Crook Town 1 Whitehaven 5
This was a magnificent result at a club steeped in Amateur football history, and was the first ever game between the clubs. The early part of the game showed nothing of the drama that was to follow in the second half. Indeed Crook took the lead courtesy of a headed goal at the far post, but just before the break Craig Lewis thundered in a free kick to level matters. The hosts seemed unable to cope with our pace, and Mike Farrer helped himself to 2 goals, with David Dustin and Lee Dixon completing the rout.
Whitehaven 3 Norton & Stockton Ancients 1
Another hard fought game went our way as these two teams at the top of the League went head to head. Norton seemed confident and slick as we struggled to break down a resilient defence. Both sides had their chances from set pieces, but defences were very much on top until Gary Mitchell opened the scoring for N&S after some hesitation. Graeme Lilly was outstanding in a back four that worked hard all afternoon, and after the break we got the goal our industry deserved thanks to Stuart Shaw's first of the season. This was quickly followed by a David Dustin cracker, and a Lee Dixon penalty as N&S pushed forward looking for a leveller. All in all a good result and a valuable three points won.
Brandon United 0 Whitehaven 1
Whitehaven left Brandon with a hard fought victory which could quite easily have gone the other way. Stuart Shaw scored his second goal in as many games with a brave back post header with just 3 minutes remaining to claim all three points for the visitors.
Whitehaven 1 Thornaby 1
In terrible conditions Thornaby started this game brightest and deservedly took the lead after a brilliant through ball was well converted by the Thornaby striker, however this was to be there only shot on target for the whole of the game. As the second half begun Whitehaven started to dominate and take the assendancy without really creating any clear cut chances. Craig Robson was then sent off for showing his frustration but this didnt stop Whitehaven taking the game to Thornaby only to find the Thornaby 'keeper in great form making a number of brilliant saves from the Whitehaven attackers, then with the last attack of the game Barrie Fowler played a great ball into the box and Kevin Connelly was there to head it in off the far post to gain a point.
Whitehaven Reserves 6 St Margaret Mary's 0 (County League)
The reserves eased to a comfortable victory after an indifferent first half. It had all started so well when the hosts took the lead on 4 minutes, then proceeded to over elaborate and waste a host of chances before adding a second just before the break courtesy of Kevin Holliday. Further second half goals from Luke Smith, Darren Donald, Stephen Priestley and Stuart Shaw completed the rout, and stand-in 'keeper Craig Nicholls even had time to save a penalty before the final whistle to keep a clean sheet.
Norton & Stockton Ancients 4 Whitehaven 1
Whitehaven began this game brightly and were deservedly in front when Mally Holliday curled a shot into the top corner and they never looked like being in any trouble until some crazy defending which saw Norton score 3 goals in 5 minutes, what will be disappointing for Whitehaven is the way in which they conceded three goals which were virtually identical. Dan Gullen received his marching orders 3 minutes after coming on for his debut and Norton scored a fourth on the counter attack as Whitehaven were trying to get back into the game.
Whitehaven 3 Whickham 1
Whitehaven again started this game brightly and would have been shocked to have found themselves 1-0 down, what will be disappointing again is the method in which we conceded the goal and John and Rushy have already said we will be working hard to stop this in training. The spirit which Whitehaven showed to come back from a goal down was plain to see though. David Dustin was particularly impressive up front and the direct running of Robert Fowler and Craig Robson provided constant problems. Carl McGrady scored the hosts first after a good team move was met with a firm header and Dustin himself got on the scoresheet with a thunderbolt from 10 yards. As the second half started Whickham came into the game a little more as they looked for the equaliser but some resolute defending made sure this didnt happen and Dan Gullen finished the game off with 10 minutes remaining turning in a cross by Dustin at the far post.
Windscale 2 Whitehaven Reserves 6 (County League - Divisional Cup)
Windscale started this game better than their visitors however found themselves 3-0 down within twenty minutes, Steven Graham who was impressive throughout scored the first with a back post header and when the inspirational Lee Dixon was brought down in the box Wayne Collins scored the resultant spot kick to make it 2-0 and when Luke Smith smashed in the third the result never looked in doubt. Steven Graham then raced through to make it 4-0 and Stephen Priestley continued his good goal scoring form with a header to make it 5-0 at half time. Windscale came out in the second half and had a right go, and when they were awarded a controversial penalty Lee Stainton made no mistake, and Stephen Miller ran through the defence to make it 5-2 however Whitehaven then went to the other end and a scramble in the box saw the ball richochet into the net via the post and the goal keeper, Wayne Collins was awarded the goal as the last Whitehaven player to touch the ball. Next up for Whitehaven is an away trip at St. Margaret Marys on Saturday 4th October.
North Shields 2 Whitehaven 5
Whitehaven started this game brightly despite playing into a strong wind and with rain in there faces and deservedly found themselves 1-0 up after good approach play by Gary Hodgson saw Dan Gullen score with a clinical finish, and Whitehaven were unlucky not to add to their tally before the break. With the first attack of the second half North Shields found themselves level after good football which allowed a midfield runner space to score the goal, however this only inspired Whitehaven on and Darren Donald regained the lead for Whitehaven after impressive play down the left, Lee Dixon then scored our third with a great header from a corner, and Gary Hodgson got the goal his performance deserved to make it 4-1 poking the ball into the net from 6 yards. David Dustin then continued his impressive goal scoring record to make it 5-1 deflecting a Lee Dixon shot into the net. North Shields then got there second goal with the last kick of the game after poor defending at a set piece.
Stokesley 1 Whitehaven 1
Whitehaven made the trip to their old Wearside League rivals and will be happy with the point they picked up against a team that is challenging at the top of the league, it was a pretty even first half with Darren Donald and Mally Holliday having half chances for the visitors and Stokesley going close with a header of a corner, however the score remained 0-0 at half time. Stokesley got the opening goal 10 minutes after the restart when a corner was half cleared and their striker manager to rifle the ball into the net off the base of the post, this inspired the visitors to play there best football and the best move of the game saw the scores levelled when Darren Donald turned a Kevin Connelly cross into the net and from this point on Whitehaven had the majority of the possesion but couldnt create any clear chances.
Whitehaven Reserves 7 Windscale 1 (Whitehaven win 13 - 3 on aggregate)
Whitehaven eased themselves into the next round of the Divisional Cup with a comprehensive victory on the all-weather pitch, the only game to go ahead in West Cumbria on Saturday. Early goals from Stuart Shaw , Stephen Priestley, and Andrew Dalling settled the team, and after the half-time break, they dominated the half as their opponents tired. Craig Routledge made a welcome return to the team following his injury, and even managed to give away a penalty to get the visitors on the scoresheet. There were sound performances from Luke Smith, Gary Burns and Kevin Holliday, and Stuart must be hopeful his charges can go all the way in this competition.
Whitehaven 0 Hebburn Town 1
Whitehaven never really got going in this game, however they will still feel they did enough to win as the Hebburn Town 'keeper made two outstanding saves over the course of the game to earn his side a clean sheet, the first from Barrie Fowler then the second from a rocket by Craig Lewis. Hebburn scored midway through the second half when poor defending at a corner saw them have a man unmarked at the back post to volley in the winner.
Whitehaven 3 Jarrow Roofing 2 (Ernest Armstrong Cup)
Whitehaven made it through to the 3rd round of the Ernest Armstrong cup with more ease than the 3-2 scoreline might suggest, they scored early on when Darren Donald followed up a great reaction save from a Stuart Shaw header and that was how it would remain up until half time. Whitehaven again started the second half brightly and deservedly went 2-0 up when the away 'keeper fumbled a Barrie Fowler cross into his own net. Jarrow Roofing then upped there game and managed to reduce the arrears to 2-1 with a well taken finish however this lead lasted less than 5 minutes as Whitehaven raised there game immediately and Gary Hewitt scored a curling effort from the edge of the area, there was also drama at the death after Graeme Lilly was adjuged to have fouled in the penalty area and Jarrow Roofing converted the penalty.
Marske United 1 Whitehaven 0
Match report to follow.
Whitehaven Reserves 3 Bransty Rangers 4 (Benevolent Cup)
Whitehaven started this game well and it was no suprise when they took the lead through Craig Robson in his first game back since injury and suspension, and when Andy Dalling made it 2-0 it seemed like it was going to be a clear passage into the next round, however Bransty had other ideas and after the break come out and managed to pull a goal back. Whitehaven then lifted themselves and got back in front Andy Dalling adding his second goal of the game, suprisingly this only made Whitehaven go into there shell and invite pressure from Bransty and they took advantage of this by scoring 3 goals to win 4-3 on the night. One major disappointment was not only the result but the performance of Whitehavens back four, who all but gifted Bransty there 4 goals with some sloppy defending.
Whitehaven 0 North Shields 1
Whitehaven's poor run of form continued with another defeat this time to a North Shields team which was totally different from the team we played a couple of weeks ago as their new manager is clearly ringing the changes. North Shields took the lead after 5 minutes with a brilliant effort from outside the box which curled past the helpless Jack Fryer in the home goal. Whitehaven were banging on the door for most of the remaining 85 minutes but couldnt find a breakthrough even though North Shields were down to 10 men just before the interval.
Esh Winning 2 Whitehaven 1 (League Cup)
Against the best team Whitehaven have faced this season, the scoreline perhaps flattered the visitors as the scoreline could have been far worse. Inside the first 20 minutes the home side were cutting Whitehaven open at will and it was no surprise when they scored with a well placed shot from the edge of the box which found the bottom corner. Whitehaven responded well and started to match there opposition in stages and good work from Craig Robson and Craig Lewis saw us regain parity when Lewis' cross was turned in by a retreating defender. Esh Winning then got gradually back on top without troubling the Whitehaven 'keeper again before half time. In the second half the game was pretty even in the opening exchanges however the longer the scores remained the same the more Esh Winning were pressurising the Whitehaven goal and after some good blocks and some good saves it was no surprise when they scored again to make it 2-1. Whitehaven made 3 substitutions to try to alter the scoreline and they were unlucky not to score with a couple of minutes remaining when Mike Farrer hit the cross bar after a great cross from Robson.
Horden 1 Whitehaven 1
Match report to follow.
Longtown 0 Whitehaven Reserves 1 (CVR Whitehaven Cup)
Whitehaven reserves put in a fantastic performance to progress in the CVR Whitehaven Cup against a longtown team who were sitting 3rd in the league above. Whitehaven's defence was the foundations for this excellent victory as the whole back 4 performed exceptionally, as it has to be said did the rest of the team. Stephen Priestley continued his good goal scoring form scoring the winner with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
Whitehaven 2 Prudhoe 0
Match Report to follow.
Hearts of Liddlesdale 1 Whitehaven Reserves 3
Whitehaven again impressed with there performance especially in the first half where the game was virtually put to bed, Whitehaven opened the scoring with a great long range finish from Luke Smith, and when Andy Dalling scored to make it 2-0 the visitors were looking comfortable. Garry Burns got his first of the season from a corner shortly before half time so Whitehaven went in 3-0 up at the break. The second half was different to the first with Hearts coming out and trying to get back into the game but some resolute defending and excellent blocks kept us 3-0 up until the last 5 minutes when Luke Smith then headed in an own goal to give hearts a consolation.
