‘Burn Let Three Points Slip

On Saturday Bryansburn 1^st XI lost 3-2 away to Ballynahinch Olympic in a virtual re-run of their early-season meeting at Ballywooley when ‘Burn led 2-0 only to concede three second half goals. This time goals either side of the interval put Bryansburn in a commanding position only for Olympics’ strong final ten minutes to snatch all three points for the title-chasing home side.

With Ballynahinch slow to show Bryansburn had the better opportunities in the first half. A 3^rd minute Olympic back pass and penalty-area free-kick saw Coard slip the ball to Tolson in space at the back post but the winger was inches away from converting and, five minutes later, a Morrison knock-down found Coard in a similar position with a similar result. ‘Burn were making good progress with Parkes down the right while Coard, C.Cooling and G.McMullan had a tight grip on the midfield but Ballynahinch’s long-ball game posed a growing threat. Full-backs A.McMullan and A.Cooling dealt well with the aerial barrage with Gray and Thompson putting in vital tackles in the box but the dam broke in the 17^th minute when a low near-post cross was converted for a 1-0 lead for Ballynahinch against the run of play.

Bryansburn resumed their attacking efforts and were unlucky when Morrison released C.Cooling to side foot over the bar and then twice went close himself beating the keeper only to hit the post and side netting from acute angles on 32 and 35 minutes. Bryansburn were increasingly on the back foot and relying on breakaways but seconds before the whistle Olympic could only half-clear a corner and Morrison tried his luck from twenty yards, finding the bottom corner for a 1-1 score-line.

The second half started with ‘Burn on the offensive, forcing two early corners and grabbing a deserved 2-1 lead in the 48^th minute when G.McMullan’s shot was helped over the line by R.Thompson. Ballynahinch countered with a shot just over the bar and both Parkes and Coard went close from distance but ‘Burn keeper Close was twice called into action to smother a growing Olympic backlash. Ten minutes into the second half Morrison rose to head a free-kick inches over but for the next fifteen ‘Burn were struggling to clear their lines and defending ever-deeper.

As McGreevy and Mallon replaced Parkes and Tolson it was Close who kept ‘Burn in the match with a couple of good saves, helped by some wayward Ballynahinch finishing. On the occasional break Coard went close with a shot and Morrison found a clear run at goal only to be judged offside by the distant referee. Anxious glances at the watch showed that ‘Burn were only five minutes from three points but an unchallenged header from an Olympic corner kick saw the target quickly change to a 2-2 draw with increasingly desperate defending. Things weren’t helped by the loss of Gray with concussion, (replaced by Kehoe), and some harsh refereeing decisions including a couple of hotly disputed free-kicks around the visitors box and an unexplained booking. Nonetheless ‘Burn weathered the storm until finally three panicked passes towards their own goal allowed Ballynahinch to force a throw-in leading to their 89^th minute winner.

No disgrace in losing by the odd goal to potential league champions but disappointing to, once again, see a winning position lost in the final minutes.

The 2^nd XI had what can only be described as a routine 5-0 win over visiting Kilroot Rec ll with Stanex taking the plaudits with a clinical hat-trick.

‘Burn made a fast start and the ball was played through the middle from Tyson for Stanex to latch onto and finish with ease after only three minutes. Kilroot struggled to get out of their own half as the home side dominated before doubling the lead in the 7^th minute. Higginson combined down the right with Ballantine who cut the ball back for Stanex to finish well.

Despite being 2-0 up the next fifteen minutes were very scrappy with neither team able to maintain possession or control the ball. During this period Kilroot carved out their only chance of the half. Their left winger went on a run in which he was tackled three times only for the ball to fall kindly to him each time and he eventually got a shot in which was blocked by Collins.

Bryansburn still managed to extend their lead in the 13^th minute. This time the ball was worked down the left flank and Stanex combined with Patterson who slid the ball home from close range. Not much football was played the rest of the half from either team with Bryansburn comfortable and Kilroot incapable of making any inroads.

In the second half Kilroot were not much better and stand-in keeper Beattie was rarely troubled, with no more than the occasional shot from distance to deal with. For Bryansburn’s part two more goals in the opening twelve minutes of the half killed the game as a contest. Firstly in the 54^th minute Stanex completed his hat-trick when he gave the keeper no chance with another good finish. Then three minutes later Hanna received the ball on the left hand side of the box and from a tight angle clipped the ball over the top of the keeper and into the far corner to make it.

The rest of the match saw ‘Burn in total control with the only complaint being that they failed to add to their score. Both strikers and a couple of midfielders should have increased the tally but to be fair the visitors’ keeper did pull off a few good saves.

The 5-0 win takes the 2nds unbeaten run to five matches and moves them up to 5^th place in the league table. “Man of the Match” was Stanex closely followed by Collins.

The 3^rd XI took on runaway leaders North Down with key players Cardwell, McGimpsey and Scott all missing but put in a heroic performance going down by the only goal of the game.

‘Burn adopted a defensive formation and came under intense pressure for the opening twenty minutes being rather fortunate that the visitors’ did not notch an early strike. A forward headed wide from six yards out and then a flashing shot just whizzed past the upright. Bryansburn dug in and weathered the early storm before seeing a bit more of the ball and keeping possession well. North Down were still encamped in the ‘Burn half with the home side restricted to the counter-attack and McMurray tested the visitors’ keeper.

In the 24^th minute Steventon made a superb double save tipping a chip on to the bar when it was all but over him and then recovering in time to save the follow up. A North Down forward was then lucky to stay on the pitch as he broke through but clattered Steventon as he came out. After a lot of treatment Steventon stayed in but with his movement severely restricted. Somehow the Referee brandished a yellow card with the offender mightily relieved.

North Down then scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game when a cross to the back post was headed across goal and tuned in. ‘Burn appealed for offside but the Referee signalled that he thought the strike was good.

‘Burn then enjoyed their best spell of the match in the fifteen minutes before halftime and were extremely unlucky not to level the score. The keeper made two good stops from Dickson including an athletic tip over the bar, Dempster had an effort cleared off the line and a series of corners and free-kick’s from Beattie, Cole and McMurray put North Down under pressure for the first time in the match but the visitors’ held on  to their one goal lead at the interval.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first with the only difference being that the wind strengthened to the extent that ‘Burn struggled to get out of their half at times. Murphy and Dempster continually broke up play and behind them Patterson and McComb were outstanding to the extent that injured keeper Steventon was protected so well that he only had shots from distance to deal with.

McMurray produced a string of good balls for youngsters Shields and R.Dempster and from one of these the latter was put clean in on goal only for the keeper to save. With twenty-five minutes remaining Shields was clattered by the keeper and had to leave the fray with concussion leaving ‘Burn with only ten men. However, despite the numerical disadvantage, and the wind against then ‘Burn fought heroically to stay in the game.

In the last ten minutes Bryansburn threw an extra man into attack and North Down endured a few nervy moments leading to cheers from players and line whenever the final whistle blew.

Beast for Bryansburn was Patterson who was immense at the heart of the defence but this was a tremendous team effort. ‘Burn’s last four games have been against the top four in the league resulting in one win, two draws and just this solitary goal defeat by the Champions-elect. A great effort by a team of veterans.

The 4^th XI recorded their tenth successive league win on Saturday with a faultless performance against local rivals 3rd Bangor OB ll. During ninety minutes in when the players experienced all four seasons of weather ‘Burn maintained their league challenge with a resounding 7-0 victory.

Bryansburn started against the wind and the game was even until the 12th minute when Left-back McNeil hit a cross-field ball to Gardiner in the midfield who beat his marker to cross to Lowry at the back post. Lowry then cushioned the ball into the path of Bogle who opened the scoring. Emberson doubled with a fine half volley from inside the box, Lowry, who was struggling after a hefty challenge got the third, and then Stone grabbed the fourth all before the interval.

With the points already safe changes were made from the bench early in the second half to ensure that everyone was involved in this penultimate league game. Lowry then took the plaudits grabbing two more to complete his hat trick. The tireless working Gardiner was rewarded with a goal from a tantalising Stone right-wing cross running in between two defenders to head home to complete  the scoring.
Bryansburn now need to beat Newtown Forest ll in their final league game and hope that Greenwell Star ll can take points of Moat Park Rangers ll in their return match this Saturday. Such a scenario could see the 4ths lifting the Championship.

Special mention to Jamie Lowry who will be playing his last game this Saturday before emigrating to Canada. We wish him every success with his new venture.

The final training session at Bangor Sportsplex for this season is tonight (Thur) from 7pm to 8pm. On Tuesday training will be at Ballywooley (7pm). After that training will be at Ballywooley as and when scheduled by 1^st team Manager Stuart Mellon. With 1^st and 2nd team having so many midweek matches there will probably not be too many sessions.

Players are reminded that anyone owing money is unavailable for selection for any of the teams.  

Fixtures this Saturday:  1^st XI V Bangor Amateurs (h) and 4^th XI V Willowfield Parish ll (h). Next Thursday 3^rd April the 2^nd XI are away to Groomsport ll.

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.   

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.