‘Burn Edged Out At Shorts

Saturday saw only one defeat for Bryansburn sides but unfortunately it was the flagship 1^st XI who suffered a 1-0 defeat away to high-flying Shorts in a scrappy encounter at Aircraft Park as their season stuttered again.

Opening brightly, ‘Burn had the upper hand, forcing a series of corners and having two penalty claims (Morrison first rugby-tackled then pulled-down in the box) and an edge of the area free-kick (Mallon up-ended when closing on goal) denied. Shorts countered with a series of long balls and, after fifteen minutes, Close had to make two last-ditch saves from dangerous 1-on-1s while defenders A.Cooling, Gray, A.Thompson and A.McMullan were repeatedly called into action as the home side began to gain confidence. G.McMullan and C.Cooling battled to gain control of the midfield and chances eventually came with a good save from a Parkes shot and two Morrison headers from Coard corners going the wrong side of the crossbar. On the half-hour mark Bryansburn rode their luck when Short’s striker side-stepped a diving Close only to place his “tap-in” wide of the goal but a final push saw ‘Bryansburn equally unlucky when another Parkes effort went inches wide and a Morrison shot was blocked.  Honours even at 0-0 as the half-time whistle blew.

Shorts returned to the park to continue their direct assault on the ‘Burn goal. Close made another fine save but was helpless when a 51^st minute break down ‘Burn’s left saw Shorts break the deadlock and fire home for 1-0. Bryansburn countered quickly but both a Mallon shot and Coard free-kick failed to find the target and subs Stanex (for Parkes) and McGreevy (for Mallon) were brought into play.

Luck was again on ‘Burn’s side when Shorts failed to add to their lead as a dangerous overhead and three successive shots were somehow smothered by a panic-stricken defence in the 70th minute but, even when a Shorts shot found the post ten minutes later, they continued to chase an equaliser. Stanex almost got a foot to a parried Coard shot at the back post, Morrison had one shot saved and another wide, Cooling’s effort curled beyond the back stick but in the end they could not make the breakthrough. Full time saw the game finish 1-0.

A swirling wind and slippery surface did little to contribute to either teams play but over the ninety minutes Shorts were probably entitled to their narrow victory. Best for ‘Burn: Close with a string of good saves. Good performances all-round but no match-winner. Great to see Billy Heron back swelling crowd numbers again.

The 2^nd XI travelled to Suffolk FC ll and despite a number of late withdrawals produced an excellent performance to win 5-2.

In an even enough first half, Suffolk had a couple of early attacks before Bryansburn finally settled. Although the majority of play took place in the visitors half it was Bryansburn who looked the more threatening on the counter-attack through the pace of Ballantine and Hanna. The threat was realised twice round the half hour mark as Hanna produced two sublime finishes into the bottom corner to put ‘Burn 2-0 up. Keeper Beattie, on his debut made one excellent take but otherwise had little to do as Suffolk’s attacks lacked any end product.

In the second half the home side mixed things up a bit and threw extra men forward in a bid to get back in the game. They were soon rewarded with a goal to make it 2-1 but ‘Burn moved up a gear. Armstrong pounced to make it 3-1 just minutes after coming on for Patterson. From then on it was no contest.

Collins soon made it 4-1 and although Suffolk added a second goal, Bryansburn remained on the offensive. Beattie hit the bar from a free-kick, another effort came back off the post and the home keeper made a number of saves as his side were run ragged. Ballantine held the ball up well and always looked dangerous and he was rewarded by finally getting himself on the score-sheet to make it 5-2.

‘Burn should have increased their lead in the final ten minutes as the Suffolk goal led a charmed life but the side had to settle for five. Great team performance with special mention to veterans Dickson and Beattie for stepping into the breach at short notice.  

The 3^rd XI took on 2^nd placed Bangor Swifts lll and drew 1-1 in a game that neither side probably did enough to win.

‘Burn made a bright start with Cardwell clean through only for the Swifts keeper to save. Then the Referee awarded Bryansburn a free-kick in the box when the keeper picked up a back pass. McMurray stepped up and curled the ball into the top corner of the net only for the strike to be ruled out as the kick was indirect.

After that Swifts took over for the next fifteen minutes. A defence splitting ball found a player on the right flank and he cut in to open the scoring. Minutes later an identical move saw the finish go wide of the far post and it took some fine defending from Cole, Patterson and McComb coupled with a couple of good saves from Steventon to prevent Bangor Swifts from extending their lead. Slowly but surely ‘Burn played their way into the game to the extent that they were the better side for the second part of the half. A string of corners caused problems for the Swifts defence and from one Scott corner McGimpsey flashed a header inches wide. At this stage ‘Burn were dominating the middle of the park but despite some good possession play they failed to create clear-cut chances.

The second half was as competitive as the first but again goal chances were at a premium. Bangor Swifts had numerous shots from outside the area but failed to make keeper Steventon work. At the other end Bryansburn had fewer opportunities but did work the keeper with a diving save to turn Cole’s free-kick round the post the best of the efforts.

In the 77^th minute ‘Burn finally drew level and there was an element of fortune involved in the goal. Cole fired a high, swirling cross into the box and the Swifts keeper fumbled it over the line under pressure from Cardwell. In the closing stages both sides tried in vain for a winner. Swifts had a couple more strikes off target from long distance but it was Bryansburn who should have taken stole all three points in the last couple of minutes. The Swifts keeper came ten yards out of his box only to kick the ball straight to the feet of Cole forty yards from goal. With the empty goal gaping Cole shot only for the ball to go just the wrong side of the upright much to the relief of the keeper.

The final whistle went just after with a draw perhaps the right result.

The 4^th XI continued their rich vein of form on Saturday by chalking up their 9th successive league victory, winning 5-2 at home to Vision Athletic ll to move to the top of the table for the first time with two games remaining.
‘Burn played into the wind in the opening period and started brightly. After dominating the opening minutes they soon opened the scoring eight minutes in with a strike from Stone.

However, despite enjoying the vast majority of possession the home side failed to build on their lead and paid the price with twenty minutes gone on the clock when a break by the quick Vision Centre-forward resulted in an equaliser. Undeterred Bryansburn continued to carve out opportunities with a steady supply of crosses from Stone and Emberson on the flanks. With none of the chances taken, a solid first half saw the score remain 1-1 at the break.

Two minutes after the restart Vision took the lead with the same player on target and suddenly Bryansburn had a game on their hands if their Title challenge was to remain intact. Bogle and Stevenson were reshuffled in a tactical move and within five minutes the scores were level after Stevenson bravely slid in to meet an Emberson cross.

This provided the platform for the home side to step up a gear and finally put the issue beyond doubt. Firstly a long wind-assisted clearance by Black was controlled by Stevenson and he unleashed an unstoppable shot from eighteen yards to put ‘Burn in the lead. Then, after further chances came and went, Stone collected in midfield and ran across the pitch past four defenders before slotting home from a tight angle for the fourth with eighteen minutes remaining.

Stevenson made way for Parkinson before in the 84^th minute the hard working Lowry grabbed a deserved goal for his efforts to finally kill off the Spirited Vision side. The delight at sealing another three points was compounded when the word then filtered through that fellow challengers Greenwell Star ll and lost 1-0 at Comber YM ll.

This was a great display by the entire squad. The same effort, commitment and togetherness is now needed to win the two remaining fixtures and if the six points can be won it will depend on the outcome of the two meetings between Greenwell Star ll and Moat Park Rangers ll as to whether it will be enough to lift the Championship. An exciting finish to the season awaits. 

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:  1^st XI V 18^th Newtownabbey OB (h), 2^nd XI V 1^st Bangor OB ll (a), 3^rd XI V Newtown Forest (h) and 4^th XI V Comber Star ll (a).

There are still a few places available on the Annual Club Trip consisting of return flights to Newcastle and three nights in a Travelodge Hotel leaving on Friday 30^th May returning Monday 2^nd June. Please contact Alan Dempster if you wish to join the travelling party.

A bus trip to Down Royal this Monday has been arranged for the St Patrick’s Day Races. Cost is £10 for the return trip and at the time of going to press there are still a couple of places available. Please speak to Alan Dempster if interested. 

The next social event is on Saturday 12^th April when we will be holding the first Bryansburn Camel Race Night.  Please make plans to attend for what will be an important fundraiser as well as an enjoyable night.