Bryansburn Lose on Penalties

Bryansburn 1^st XI were edged out of the Clarence Cup 6-4 after extra time and penalties in a lack-lustre encounter at Loughmoss. ‘Burn probably had the better of their lower league opponents over the 110 minutes but were repeatedly let down by their decision-making and passing, continually choosing to go for the difficult rather than the simple options...

A Baltic afternoon on a surprisingly firm pitch saw a lively opening. Cooling rescued ‘Burn with a last-ditch header over the bar in the 3^rd minute and their 2C opponents went close in the 7^th with a header just the wrong side of the post. Bryansburn settled and an 11th minute Cooling free grazed the bar while Higginson was unlucky nine minutes later when his fifty yard run ended with a shot wide of the home goal. The encouraging start soon settled into a scrappy midfield duel with good work from both sides failing to produce a decent service to their forwards. Minutes before the break ‘Burn hit lucky when another good run from Higginson saw his fierce low cross evade defenders, strikers and the keeper to find the net via the back post and hopes were raised for ‘Burn adding to their lead after the interval. Halftime: 1-0 to Bryansburn.

Sadly the optimism was not well founded and Close had to make a point blank save on the hour mark, Thompson a vital challenge to deflect a shot over the bar and Morrison a critical tackle with Bryansburn’s response a single Thompson header wide from a Coard free-kick. Increased Carryduff pressure led to a couple of corners and the match was levelled at 1-1 with fifteen minutes to play. Tolson came on for Mallon, and G.McMullan for Tyson but ‘Burn’s keeper was called into action again after 77 minutes diving to parry clear a dangerous low drive. The final ten minutes saw a welcome sustained Bryansburn offensive but first Stanex with a neat turn and shot and McGreevy with a powerful drive were unable to find the winner. Full-time: 1-1.

Extra-time was very much one-way traffic with the ‘Burn defence pushing up and much of the play taking place in the opposition half. A McMullan provided a steady supply of passes to Tolson who terrorised the Carryduff left but little came of the dominance with good opportunities squandered through misplaced passes and poor movement. Bryansburn could have snatched the tie when a succession of Thompson long throws finally led to a Morrison diving header in the 105^th minute but his effort slipped past the far post and it was still deadlock at the final whistle.

The penalty shoot-out got off to the worst possible start with Morrison’s opener saved but thereafter both sides showed that, under different circumstances, they had no problem finding the net. Coard, McGreevy and A.McMullan calmly converted but Close could only get his fingertips to one of Carryduff ’s efforts and they scored five out of five.

Another disappointing afternoon: probably not helped by the Christmas lay-off and enforced team changes. Better expected in 2014!

The 3^rd XI produced the performance of the day when they travelled to a high-flying Ballygowan side boasting a 100% home record and returned with a hard-earned point. After two poor results, ‘Burn were in dire need of a confidence boosting performance ahead of their Frank Moore Memorial Cup quarter-final away to Queens Grads lll this Saturday and turned out in a completely new 4-2-3-1 formation designed to make it difficult for the home side to break down. It was the normal squad of players but only three of them turned out in their normal position. The tactics worked a treat in an excellent team performance with ‘Burn not only earning a point but going oh so close to taking all three.

As expected Ballygowan came racing out of the traps and pinned ‘Burn in their own half for the first ten minutes but they only managed to carve out one real chance. A forward broke through but young keeper Douglas, making his comeback after a long period of injury, turned his shot round the post. Bryansburn weathered the early storm and when they did win the ball they kept possession well frustrating their opponents. In the 11^th minute ‘Burn nearly took the lead when McGimpsey burst through only to be denied by the keeper. The home side did not heed the warning because three minutes later Bryansburn did open the scoring. Scott and Beattie combined to send Cole racing down the right and his cross was met first time by McGimpsey to open the scoring.

As expected Ballygowan came back on the offensive but despite being pinned in their own half, ‘Burn survived comfortably enough with Patterson and McComb outstanding at the heart of the defence. There was one scare on the half hour mark  

when the home side had the ball in the net only for the strike to be ruled offside. With every man doing the role asked of him, it looked like ‘Burn were going to keep their clean sheet to the break but then Ballygowan carved out an equaliser in the 41^st minute. A long throw into the box was flicked on and a home player managed to get to the loose ball first. Parity lasted all of two minutes as ‘Burn regained the lead. Not for the first time the visitors’ caught Ballygowan on the counter-attack and great work from McGimpsey out on the right found McMurray unmarked in the middle. He lifted the ball over the head of the keeper but his shot was blocked on the line by a defender. However, McMurray kept his cool and buried the rebound to make it 2-1 at the break.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with Ballygowan dominating in terms of possession and territorial advantage but ‘Burn holding out resolutely. Murphy and Dempster sat in front of the back four repeatedly making the tackles and breaking up play and restricting the home side to long range efforts which Douglas dealt with comfortably.

As the half wore on Ballygowan did carve out a couple of good chances. Douglas made a tremendous save from the first one and then a header from a good cross from the right came back off the inside of the post and into his grateful arms. As the home side pushed more men forward ‘Burn began to catch them out on the break. Then with twenty minutes remaining Ballygowan finally equalised from a back post header.

Bryansburn reacted by bringing on teenagers Ballantine and R.Dempster for Cole and Beattie who had both put in great shifts. The speed and fresh legs of the youngsters caused the home side numerous problems as McMurray in particular repeatedly brought them into play on the counter attack.

As the game moved into the closing minutes Patterson stood solid at the back and McComb made one excellent tackle which if miss-timed would have resulted in a penalty, as Ballygowan threw everything into attack. With four minutes left on the clock McMurray was put through only for his shot to rebound off the keeper’s legs. The ball fell to Ballantine only for the keeper to block his effort as well.

Then in the last minute the Ballygowan Centre-forward wriggled free leaving Dempster no option but to bring him down on the edge of the box. The wall did its job as the free-kick was hammered into it. ‘Burn broke on the attack and McMurray threaded Ballantine clean through but as it seemed ‘Burn were going to snatch a winner he screwed his shot wide with the last kick of the match.

A tremendous performance from the 3^rd team against a very good side with every man playing his part.  

The 4^th XI won 3-1 at Comber YM ll to chalk up their sixth consecutive win and move them to within two points of the top of the league table. With five games left and all the top teams still games remaining against each other, Bryansburn have put themselves well and truly in the mix.        

In windy conditions, ‘Burn created all the early chances only for the home custodian to pull off a couple of great saves. Finally, with the interval looming, a Stone corner was headed home by Bogle for a slender 1-0 half time lead.
The second half was a tough encounter and the visitors won the midfield battle, although Lowry, playing up top, was tireless in his running and Stone caused Comber loads of problems on the left. The home side finally equalised in the 71^st minute and it was very much game on.
Stevenson began to push forward for Bryansburn and from a Stone pass he fired the visitors’ back in front. Stevenson continued to torment YM and he was influential in the goal that killed the game off ten minutes from time. He burst forward from the centre of the park on a surging run into the box where he was sent sprawling for a blatant penalty. Stone stepped up and clinically finished from the spot to make it 3-1 to Bryansburn.
A great solid performance by the whole squad as they eased into third place, nicely poised to make a title challenge.

Training continues at Bangor Sportsplex tonight (Thur) from 7pm to 8pm and on Tuesday from 8pm to 9.30pm. A good turnout is essential with a full programme of fixtures on Saturday.

This Saturday the 1^st XI entertain Colin Valley while the 2^nd XI visit local rivals Bangor YM ll. In the Down Area league the 3^rd XI travel to Queens Grads lll in the quarterfinal of the Frank Moore Memorial Cup and the 4^th XI are away to Vision Athletic ll.

In the 4^th round of the Coca Cola Intermediate Cup the 1^st XI have been drawn away to Newcastle on 25^th January and the 4^th XI have been drawn at home to Comber YM ll in the Quarter-final of the Mervyn Bassett Cup on 18^th January. In the group stages of the Tommy Murphy Memorial Shield the 4^th XI have been drawn in group C along with 3^rd Bangor OB ll, Comber Star ll, Queens Grads IV and Willowfield Parish ll.

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 from Friday 30^th May to Monday 2^nd June please contact Alan Dempster.