Bryansburn Edged Out in Local Derby

Bryansburn 1st XI lost 1-0 at Bangor Swifts despite dominating the match and creating most of the goal-scoring chances.
The first half was a scrappy affair with both sides over-hitting and slicing passes on a slippery surface but with Thompson, McMullan, Kehoe and Higginson solid in defence, Swifts rarely troubled ‘keeper Close. Tolson and Mallon found some success on the wings but Morrison’s miss-hit shot from three yards, a couple of over-hit free-kicks and a blocked Mallon effort were the only clear opportunities as both sides struggled to play any flowing football. In the dying minutes of the half Swifts saw a rare shot clear the bar before making the breakthrough right on the whistle when a free-kick was poked home after a good block by Close.
Re-starting 1-0 down ‘Burn finally started to threaten and link midfield to attack. A 57th minute Morrison cross found Mallon who hit the side netting and minutes later roles were reversed when the winger’s cross saw the striker’s header well saved by the Swifts’ keeper. Cooling slipped a ball through to Morrison who forced another save, Kehoe supplied Coard but his shot went the wrong side of the post and, in the 70th & 73rd minutes, first Coard, then Mallon found the woodwork rather than the net. Gray replaced Mallon but with the clock ticking down and a Morrison shot flying over the bar it became more a case of “if” rather than “when” Bryansburn would score. Bryansburn, committed to attack, rode their luck as Swifts saw efforts fly past the post and over the bar in the final five minutes but for ‘Burn their chances had come, and gone.
Final score 1-0: disappointing but probably typical of the way football works! Last week saw Bryansburn scoring with every other opportunity and bagging four spectacular goals while this week they probably would not have scored if they had played beyond sunset.

The 2nd XI were ravaged by injury and unavailability resulting in them travelling to Newington Rangers ll with one of their weakest line-ups of the season. On the plus side full debuts were given to sixteen year-olds R.Dempster and R.McMullan and both youngsters did very well despite the side returning with a 3-1 defeat.
The opening twenty minutes were scrappy before Newington took the lead with the first attempt of the match, a forward firing home from the edge of the box. Bryansburn had chances to equalise, most notably efforts by Patterson and Ballantine but it was the home side who increased their lead just before the break with a carbon copy of their first goal.
Collins entered the fray at halftime for his first game since being injured three months ago and he settled in at Centre-half alongside Tyson with Brown moving to Left-back. Five minutes in to the second half Newington attacked down the flank and the ball ran three yards over the line before being crossed. Tyson caught it to take a quick goal kick and the referee unbelievably pointed to the spot. The penalty was converted and ‘Burn were 3-0 down.
After that Bryansburn dominated the rest of the second half but despite so much possession and territorial advantage they created very little in the way of clear-cut chances. With five minutes remaining Crawley pounced to pull a goal back but it was too little too late as ‘Burn did no more than force a few corners in the closing minutes.  

After five wins in a row the 3rd XI finally tasted defeat going down 3-2 at Stranmillis 37th OB. The home side pulled off a real “smash and grab” as they were outplayed for the majority of the match and only had five attempts on goal over the ninety minutes whereas ‘Burn dominated.
The opening exchanges were tight although Bryansburn lost the experienced Dempster after only five minutes to be replaced by sixteen year old Greer making his debut. Cardwell had the only chance of the opening fifteen minutes swivelling in the box to fire over the bar. Midway through the half came a defining moment in the game. Cardwell threaded in Cole and he hammered the ball past the keeper and against the underside of the bar. A defender hoofed the ball down the pitch for the home side to score the opener totally against the run of play.
‘Burn remained on top, playing all the football. They should have equalised when McMurray threaded his way into the box round several players only for the keeper to make a spectacular save, somehow turning his ten yard effort over the bar. The resulting corner was cleared, the ball was hoofed down the pitch and Stranmillis made it 2-0 with Steventon ruthlessly exposed again. The rest of the half saw Bryansburn press for the goal to get the back in the game but with no joy.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Bryansburn on top until for the third time in the game the home side broke to make it 3-0 with only their third attempt of the match. ‘Burn stuck to the task but despite creating numerous efforts they failed to reduce the deficit. A change in formation from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3 saw the Stranmillis rearguard put under severe pressure but strikes from Greer, Cardwell, Cole and Murphy were all off target. The keeper then saved brilliantly from McMurray for the second time in the match and denied McGimpsey, Cardwell and Cole. At the other end Steventon, who had been a virtual spectator, pulled off two brilliant saves to prevent the embarrassment of conceding a fourth goal on the break.
In the 82nd minute Bryansburn finally found the net with Cole supplying the finish. Sixty seconds later McGimpsey forced the keeper into an error and squared the ball for Cardwell to roll into the empty net. It was now 3-2 and game on.
Somehow Stranmillis survived the final six minutes plus injury time despite being pinned in their own area. The keeper made a couple more fine stops and a couple of good chances went begging but ‘Burn ran out of time and succumbed to their first reverse in six matches.    

The 4th XI had an easy 11-0 win over visiting 82nd ll in the 2nd round of the Mervyn Bassett Cup.
All the pre-match build up was about the poor performance the previous week and the team had to listen to some stern words from defensive coach Heasley. The team started very brightly and set their stall out in a very attacking 3-4-3 formation. Parkinson, who started on the right, set the marker down with some very mazy runs and after seven minutes was unlucky to see his shot blaze over the bar. It was on ten minutes when Parkinson opened the scoring with a fine finish after great work from Kennedy playing in the wing back role. The score was soon doubled when again Parkinson fired home from close range. Gardiner, who was pulling the strings in midfield, slipped a fine pass to Dickinson who in turn lobbed the keeper from twenty-five yards. The home crowd gave the goal the applause it fully deserved. On 35 minutes another goal arrived this time from Lowry and a fifth was soon added again by Dickinson. Just before half time Kennedy picked up the ball a full 35-yards from goal and let fly with the ball nestling in the corner of the goal. Half time 6-0
There was no let up in the second half and further goals were added by Lowry and Stone. The management gave the three substitutes a good run out and birthday boys Bogle and Emberson showed why they are a vital part of the squad to combine for the former to score twice in the space of a couple of minutes.
The away side were, by this stage, waiting for the full time whistle but a further strike from Stevenson, who put it a faultless shift in midfield, completed the scoring. A fantastic performance with the clean sheet particularly welcomed by the management. “Man of the Match” was awarded to Gardiner who did everything but score.
Final score 11-0

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

On Saturday the 1st XI entertain Iveagh United while the 2nd XI have a free week. In the Down Area League the 3rd XI are away to 82nd and the 4th XI take on Corrymeela ll at Bloomfield.

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.

Finally Christmas ballots are now available. If you have not yet received yours please pick them up from John Russell on Saturday. The Draw will be made in the Clubhouse on Saturday 21st December.

The Club Christmas Dinner is on Saturday 14th December. Please see Johnny Ferris for details.