Welcome Three Points For Bryansburn

A good Saturday for Bryansburn FC saw three wins from the four games played with the highlight being a win for the 4^th XI at league-leaders Moat Park Rangers ll who had boasted a 100% record before the game.

Bryansburn 1^st XI picked up a welcome three points with a 2-1 win over Mossley YM at Ballywooley. Dominating the play, taking a 2-0 lead and seeing their opponents reduced to ten men before half-time, ‘Burn nonetheless struggled to add to their tally, conceded a penalty, and were ultimately relieved when the final whistle confirmed victory.

The first half saw a reshuffled Bryansburn in complete control with Mossley restricted to occasional counter attacks. McGreevy & Tolson tortured the visitors and both Morrison, with a header after five minutes, and Stanex with a shot on nine, were unlucky not to score. Keeper Close shepherded a looping cross/shot past the ‘Burn post after twenty-five minutes and tipped a rasping drive over that bar on the half-hour mark but a solid performance by defenders Gray, McMullan, Higginson and Kehoe denied Mossley any further joy in the final third. Up front Tolson was unlucky to see a goal disallowed for offside but with Coard and Cooling providing a string of through balls it was only a matter of time until ‘Burn would get the better of the stiff following wind and find another scoring opportunity. In the end “route one” provided the answer with a long Close kick finding Stanex and his pass rattled home by Morrison for a 1-0 lead after 37 minutes. Three minutes later the striking pair combined again to exchange passes before Morrison made it 2-0, his 15^th of the season, slotting home a parried Stanex shot with five minutes to go to the break. When Mossley lost a player courtesy of a very harsh red card a minute later, it looked like “pain-sailing” for ‘Burn and they headed to the dressing room as odds on favourites to win by four or five goals.

Bryansburn, however, rarely take the easy route and within ten minutes of the restart ‘keeper Close had made another fine save and Kehoe had to react quickly to clear a goalmouth scramble following a Mossley corner. Hanna came on for the injured Cooling but a 65^th minute 20-yard free-kick was judged to have hit an arm and the visitors duly converted the penalty for an uneasy 2-1 score line. Mallon replaced McGreevy, Bryansburn had plenty of the ball and a man advantage but a string of over-hit long-range passes gave the strikers little ammunition and Mossley continued to hope of snatching at least a draw.

Mallon shot wide, a Higginson cross somehow evaded the vital touch from both ‘Burn strikers and Coard was unlucky when his 20-yard shot from a well-rehearsed Mallon corner went inches wide of the post. The final fifteen minutes saw Mossley in control with ‘Burn scrambling to protect their lead and only a blocked Morrison volley in the 82^nd minute in reply.  The final whistle, a 2-1 win and three points, was greeted with a huge sigh of relief.

Best for ‘Burn: Morrison and Close. 

The 2^nd XI suffered because of the number of regular first and second team players missing and travelled for their Templeton Cup game away to Suffolk ll with a very young, inexperienced team. The final score shows that they were beat 7-1 but the shadow Bryansburn side fought well for over half the game.

‘Burn actually made the better start of the two teams and took a 6^th minute lead when Scott popped up on the end of a set piece. It was a lead that Bryansburn held on to comfortably enough until the half hour mark when the home side equalised courtesy of a drive from the edge of the box that went through a ruck of players and beat keeper Douglas, making a welcome return after several months out with a bad injury. Just before the break Suffolk crept in front when they beat the offside trap to score and lead 2-1.

The second half was competitive until the home side increased their lead and then the wheels came off as heads dropped and some players suffered from a lack of fitness. Still, encouraging signs from a number of the young players including sixteen year-olds Greer and McMullan.

The 3^rd XI made it seven wins from eight with a comfortable 6-1 win at a spirited Clandeboye YM in the Frank Moore Memorial Cup. “Man of the Match” was the prolific Cardwell who helped himself to a five goal haul.

Three of those goals came in the first twenty-five minutes of play while fellow veteran Dempster failed to convert three good chances that came his way. Cole shot over and sixteen year-old Reece Dempster had a shot blocked on the line. He also saw another effort dip just over while Cole could have added to the score with a couple of efforts. Towards halftime Clandeboye should have made more of a couple of counterattacks but it was Bryansburn who scored again with Cardwell getting his own and the visitors’ fourth goal before halftime.

The second half saw a rather lack-lustre performance from Bryansburn with a place in the Quarter-finals already booked. Clandeboye showed a lot of spirit and hit the post before deservedly notching a well-taken consolation. At the other end Cardwell struck for the 5^th time to make it 5-0 before Dempster, who had three efforts cleared off the line in the second half, finally scored to complete the scoring.

The 4^th XI had a number of players unavailable for the trip to unbeaten league-leaders Moat Park Rangers ll but a determined and spirited eleven put in a superb performance to record a 2-0 victory.

The makeshift management team were determined not to let their hosts’ boss the game and the players obliged. The home side created a number of chances but it was Bryansburn who opened the scoring when Dickinson headed in from an Emberson corner. Immediately Moat pressed, putting the visitors’ under a lot of pressure and Black had to make a great save from a penalty to keep the 1-0 lead intact.
The second half was as competitive as the first until just after the hour mark Emberson lobbed the keeper from 35 yards to double the lead. The remainder of the game was all about the ‘Burn defence who stood firm to prevent Moat Park getting back into the game. They managed to restrict Moat to few chances and the whistle finally blew for a well deserved victory.
              

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

On Saturday the 1^st XI travel to Ballynahinch United in the 3^rd Round of the Coca Cola Intermediate Cup in a bid to make the last 32 of the competition for the first time while the 2^nd XI have a free week. In the Down Area League the 3^rd XI are away to Ards Rangers lll and the 4^th XI entertain Brentwood ll at Ballywooley.

Despite constant reminders there are still some players who owe annual subs and match fees. It this is not rectified those concerned they will not be available for team selection.

Flight times for the annual Club trip have been changed by the airline. Those going should speak to Alan Dempster for details. The current price is £120 for return flights to Newcastle and three nights in a Travelodge Hotel but please note that with the number of flights on each day reduced from three to one the remaining places will soon go. Anyone wishing to book on the trip contact Alan Dempster.

The Christmas Draw will be made in the Clubhouse on Saturday 21^st December. Please try and return your ballots this Saturday.

The Club Christmas Dinner is on Saturday 14^th December with 36 booked into The Phoenix. Anyone else wanting booked in please see Johnny Ferris or Mark Coard. Please come prepared to stay on after the football. Note that Christmas Jumpers are compulsory