Three out of Three for Bryansburn

Bryansburn 1^st XI’s Intermediate Cup game against Banbridge Rangers fell victim to the weather but the other three teams played as scheduled with all recording impressive away victories.

The 2^nd XI travelled to unbeaten Saintfield United ll and inflicted their first league defeat with an emphatic 5-1 score-line. The success was built upon commanding performances at the heart of the defence by J.McMullan and Jones while Scott and Mallon controlled the centre of the park. ‘Burn were on top from the start and the surprise was that it took until the 19^th minute for them to make the breakthrough. The best of the early chances fell to McGreevy who was through one on one with the keeper but although he sent the keeper the wrong way, his shot went the wrong side of the post. Then Mallon tried his luck from the edge of the area and his shot missed everyone in the box to go in off the far post. Unfortunately ‘Burn failed to build on their good start and the home side equalised on the half hour mark. A throw in from the left bounced in the Bryansburn box and the loose ball was converted. However, Bryansburn remained on top and regained their lead seven minutes before the break with a good strike from Ballantine.

Four minutes into the second half Bryansburn went 3-1 in front. McGreevy made a powerful run down the left and he crossed for Ballantine to tap home his second of the game at the far post. Cochrane replaced Stanex on the hour mark and he was immediately involved in the action. His speed got him in behind the Saintfield defence only for the keeper to save with his legs.

However the fourth goal was not denied for long arriving in the 71^st minute. Cochrane blasted a 25-yard free-kick on target and the ball took a slight deflection before going in off the post. The scoring was completed tem minutes from time when the keeper let a speculative long range shot from McGreevy slip through his legs to make it 5-1.  

Great team performance and result.

The 3^rd XI completed the double over Queens Grads lll with a hard fought 3-1 win at the Dub.

‘Burn made a bright start, forcing several early corners but it was the home side who took the lead. Cole failed to cut out a long ball from the defence and the finish from the left-winger was clinical. He fired into the top corner from twenty-five yards giving stand-in keeper Gilmer no chance. Bryansburn plugged away and deservedly equalised when Cardwell surged into the box and pulled the ball back for Murphy to blast into the net. Bryansburn should have taken the lead, playing some great football but too often the final ball did not match the quality of the approach play. Neither side carved out any real chances of note in the final twenty minutes of the half and the score remained 1-1 at the interval.

Queens had their best spell of the match in the early part of the second half but the back four of Cole, McComb, Patterson and Dickson held firm. ‘Burn battled their way back into the game and the turning point came when the official referee awarded Bryansburn a penalty when the Queens defender looked to have played the ball first. Cardwell stepped up and converted the spot kick into the bottom corner.

This unsettled the home side and Bryansburn threatened a few times before they made it 3-1 in the 73^rd minute. Cole surged forward from the back and his hard, low, twenty-five yard shot squirmed under the keeper. After this Bryansburn had the experience to close the game out and were able to give sixteen year-old Reece Dempster his first taste of senior football and he settled in well showing some nice touches.

The 4^th XI had an impressive 5-3 win at league champions Brentwood ll. Playing with the wind in the first half the visitors struggled to play neat football with passes being blown astray by the mere gale-force winds.  Both sides were creating chances and Black prevented the home side from taking the lead, with his customary excellent goal-keeping.  The visitors created a couple of chances, the closest being a scrambled clearance off the line, following a corner. With the wind dropping ten minutes before the interval, Burn managed to retain possession and play some good football.  This was rewarded four minutes before the break, when a five man move, culminated in Emberson taking a reverse pass from Dickinson, before firing in a tremendous shot from 25 yards out.

The second period against the wind was actually an advantage for the visitors as the ball was no longer running away from them. On the hour mark Lowry doubled the scoring, having beaten two defenders before firing in at the near post.  Soon after an Emberson corner to the front post was majestically back-heeled by Lowry for the visitors' 3^rd strike. Brentwood pushed hard and pulled one back.  Within minutes Stevenson picked up the ball at the halfway line and despite the presence of the two midfielders in pursuit, continued his strong run towards the goals where he rounded the centre half before firing home a strong shot from outside the box to make it 4-1.  Brentwood pulled another goal back in the closing stages, but Attipoe fired home number five for the visitors, to take all three points.

Training continues tonight (Thur) at Bangor Sportsplex, 7 – 8pm, and on Tuesday 8 – 9.30pm.

On Saturday the 1^st XI entertain Banbridge Rangers in the 1^st round of the Intermediate Cup with a 1.30pm kick-off while the 2^nd XI travel to Groomsport ll. In the Down Area League the 3^rd XI play Bangor Rangers lll at Bloomfield while the 4^th XI hope to arrange a friendly.

Players are reminded that annual subs are now overdue and must be paid or they will not be available for team selection.

There are still places available on the annual Club trip. The price has now gone up to £120 for return flights to Newcastle and three nights in a Travelodge Hotel and will continue to rise as more people book on. Note that places will only be booked as payment up front is received.  Please see Alan Dempster if interested.