‘Burn Cup Run Over

Bryansburn 1^st XI’s Cup heroics came to an end with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of 1B title-hopefuls Newcastle F.C in the 4^th round of the Coca Cola Intermediate Cup. With the tie already twice weather-postponed and Ballywooley deemed unplayable, ‘Burn gave up home advantage to travel to the seaside town. The Mourne side had obviously worked hard to ensure that their pitch was just about playable but could do nothing about the swirling winds and lashing rain that prevented either side playing any decent football.

Bryansburn got off to a slow start and within seconds were fighting a rear-guard action against Newcastle’s long-ball offensive. Higginson, Thompson, A.McMullan and Kehoe were continually called into action as ball after ball went through or over the midfield and into the final third but fortunately the wind and some wayward finishing prevented the home side capitalising on half a dozen good chances.

On the counter ‘Burn occasionally threatened through wingers Tolson and McGreevy but could not find the final ball or clear shooting opportunities. On twelve minutes Coard and Morrison linked to split the Newcastle defence but the resulting low cross was inches away from a McGreevy touch three yards out and Newcastle immediately responded with a goal from a quickly taken throw-in and confusion in the ‘Burn defence. A spate of foul throws and miss-hit passes continued to gift possession to Newcastle and while G.McMullan, Coard and Cooling worked hard to secure the centre of the park Newcastle found it all too easy to create scoring opportunities. Keeper Close safely gathered a number of speculative shots and watched a handful blown high or wide but was helpless to prevent Newcastle grabbing their 2^nd from a corner on twenty-five minutes and lucky not to leak a 3^rd when the ball crashed off the post on the half-hour mark. Sheer hard work and determination saw Bryansburn see-out the half for a 2-0 score-line.

The restart saw ‘Burn finally playing some good football. Sub Mallon started a Tolson-Coard-Morrison cross-field move which saw a McGreevy shot inches away from a 46^th minute goal and both McMullan and Morrison went close in a bright opening ten minutes. Stanex replaced Coard and Bryansburn continued to press but still could not find a clear shooting opportunity. Newcastle repeatedly broke to hit the side netting, head over the bar, forced Close to parry a low drive to safety and fire shots either side of the goals but generally they were now on the back foot.

Tyson replaced McGreevy and as the minutes ticked away Bryansburn, 2-0 down, were forced to play their final card and commit more men to attack. A Cooling free-kick and a Morrison shot from the edge of the box were both safely collected by the ‘keeper but the third goal came from Newcastle rather than Bryansburn to seal the tie at 3-0. 

Solid performances from Kehoe, Thompson and A.McMullan at the back and a good second half but this was really a day when the conditions and a stronger side were the inevitable winners.  Bryansburn can now return to league action knowing that they still have eighteen games in which to repeat some of the performances that have seen them through nine tough cup encounters.   

The 2^nd XI travelled to play a strong Shamrock FC side on a 3G surface at Jordanstown University. The Belfast side were on top throughout and ‘Burn eventually succumbed 5-0 despite a battling performance. The game marked the return to action of A.Cooling after months on the injury list and Parkes was able to get another ninety minutes in to further his rehabilitation. Seventeen year-olds Douglas, Dempster, Greer and McMullan also gained valuable game time against a good side to assist in their development. Douglas made a number of good saves but at the other end Bryansburn failed to register a consolation despite creating enough chances to do so.

This was certainly a worthwhile exercise. Our thanks go to Shamrock FC for hosting the second string at short notice.

After three excellent performances in a row the 3^rd XI came crashing back to earth with a disappointing performance to go down 4-1 at Bangor YM lll.

YM won the toss and elected to play with the gale force wind in the first half so ‘Burn set their stall up to soak up the pressure and make sure they were still in the game at halftime. Those plans were destroyed in the opening ten minutes as the home side raced into a two goal lead, both headers from right wing crosses.

Now up against it ‘Burn played their way into the game, keeping possession well and restricting the YM to just a few long range shots off target despite controlling the game from a territorial advantage aspect. It looked as though ‘Burn were going to get to the break just two down, which they would have settled for after the disastrous start, when a glancing header from a free-kick flew past Steventon to make it 3-0 with virtually the last kick of the half.

‘Burn attempted to take the game to their opponents in the second half pushing an extra man up front and threatened briefly when a long punt from keeper Steventon ended up in the net courtesy of his opposite number. Cardwell and Scott both had shots well saved by the keeper but a series of corners lacked the delivery to cause major problems.

Bryansburn brought on Ballantine up front to replace defensive midfielder Murphy to try and cut the deficit further but within a matter of minutes the game was over as a contest. Firstly YM broke to make it 4-1 and then Bryansburn had a player sent off to reduce them to ten men. After that the game petered out with YM comfortable with their lead. ‘Burn failed to create enough chances from some promising positions while Steventon made one great save to avoid further embarrassment at the other end. 

The 4^th XI had a tremendous 6-0 win against Comer YM ll in the Quarterfinal of the Mervyn Bassett Cup.

On a good playing surface, albeit in windy conditions, ‘Burn deservedly booked a Semi-final place against a strong and physical side. The home side opened brightly and went ahead in the opening five minutes with a sublime Stone free-kick. The lead was doubled ten minutes later when, following an excellent build up, Parkinson was on hand to slot home from close range.

Comber pressed in an attempt to get into the game but a solid back four was well marshalled by keeper Black. Having soaked up the pressure, Bryansburn then extended their lead to three through Hanna, a goal that virtually ended the game as a contest.

Into the second half and ‘Burn added two further goals before the hour mark. Twice the lively Parkinson surged into the box only to be brought down with the referee having no option than to point to the spot. Each time Stevenson stepped forward to duly convert the resultant penalty and make it 5-0. Bryansburn were then in a position to see out the last half hour, giving all three substitutes a lengthy run out. In the closing minutes the scoring was completed as Gardiner was rewarded for his work-rate by finding the target.

A solid performance by all fourteen players to ensure Bryansburn made the Semi-finals for the second year in succession.

Training continues at Bangor Sportsplex tonight (Thur) from 7pm to 8pm and on Tuesday from 8pm to 9.30pm. Players are reminded that attendance in training and payment of any outstanding debts will be taken into consideration when teams are selected for Saturday.  

Fixtures this Saturday:  The 1^st XI and 2^nd XI will both be in League action, fixtures unknown at the time on going to press. In the Down Area the 3^rd XI are at home to 43^rd OB in the league and the 4^th XI travel to Queens Grads IV in the Tommy Murphy Memorial Shield.

For those interested in the Annual Club Trip, the current price has now risen to £175 for return flights to Newcastle and three nights in a Travelodge Hotel leaving on Friday 30^th May returning Monday 2^nd June. Note that a price of £150 is available travelling with a different airline but staying at the same hotel. Please contact Alan Dempster if you wish to join the travelling party.

A bus trip to Down Royal as been arranged for St Patrick’s Day, cost is £10 for the return trip. Those interested please book your place with Alan Dempster. 

Two social events have been organised in the Clubhouse over the next month. On 22^nd February there will be a Poker Night and on 8^th March a Pool Tournament. Those interested in either of these competitions should give their name to Johnny Ferris.

Finally everyone was saddened to hear of the death of Stevie Lowry’s father, Jamie Lowry’s grandfather. Our sympathy is with the family circle at this difficult time.