Second headland attack -- one takes blame (9)
I believe the answer is:
scapegoat
'one takes blame' is the definition.
(someone blamed for something)
'second headland attack' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'headland' becomes 'cape' (I've seen this before).
'attack' becomes 'goat' (go at).
's'+'cape'+'goat'='SCAPEGOAT'
(Other definitions for scapegoat that I've seen before include "One who bears the blame for others" , "Can carrier" , "One taking blame for others" , "One blamed for others' mistakes" , "I'll take the blame" .)