Great Day for Bryansburn

Saturday was a great day for Bryansburn with the four sides recording three wins and a draw to help maintain the real buzz around the Club at the moment. The horrendous injury list over the last few months has finally cleared up with only MacLeod still to make his comeback and he is due to return to training this week. As a result all the teams are able to field much stronger line-ups than earlier in the season. 

Bryansburn 1^st XI’s league season sprang back into life with a hard-fought but thoroughly deserved 3-2 victory away to 18^th Newtownabbey OB. Shrugging off bad luck, (which would recently have led to defeat), the team dug deep to grab a 92^nd minute winner and three points on an unfamiliarly warm, dry and wind-free day in Monkstown.

‘Burn started well with G.McMullan and C.Cooling providing a steady supply of quality balls allowing Coard, Parkes and Higginson to totally dominate the right flank. Early openings saw Morrison twice try his luck from distance without finding the target but after a wake-up call in the form of a dangerous Newtownabbey cross his next two efforts forced the home keeper into action but still offered no breakthrough. On twenty minutes, despite ‘Burn’s ascendancy, a Newtownabbey throw-in & cross beat the defence and a crisp header left the “better” side 1-0 down and clearly dispirited. 18^th’s efforts to capitalise on their lead were met with a solid display from A.McMullan, R.Thompson and Gray and ‘keeper Close had little to do as Bryansburn’s midfield re-grouped and launched a string of dangerous attacks. Crosses from Higginson, Coard and Tolson narrowly missed finding a ‘Burn foot or head and G.McMullan’s non-stop midfield efforts fed Coard to shoot over the bar and Parkes whose rocket of a shot re-bounded off a stunned Newtownabbey ‘keeper. Higginson was lost to injury and replaced by A.Cooling and ‘Burn continued to press but at half-time it was still 1-0 to the home side.

More pressure and another Parkes shot signalled Bryansburn’s intent at the restart and, with some relief; it took only six minutes to turn complete domination into a goal. Once again G.McMullan was instrumental, providing the cross for A.Cooling to celebrate his return with a rare but valuable goal for 1-1. Tails up, Bryansburn continued to push and with less than ten minutes of the half gone a Parkes long-throw found Coard who volleyed home his 7^th of the season for a deserved 2-1 lead. Newtownabbey were clearly on the back foot but, on a rare counter attack, were gifted a reprise in the most bizarre circumstances. A goalmouth clearance from A.McMullan, (headed for the side-line), hit Parkes’ hand at the edge of the box and the referee immediately blew for a penalty. This was despite the fact that Parkes was only two yards from McMullan, had his back to the ball, and effectively gave an advantage to Newtownabbey by keeping the ball in the danger area. Nonetheless 18^th calmly converted for 2-2 and ‘Burns heads dropped, no doubt expecting a continuation of recent “defeat from the jaws of victory” experiences.

For a brief period Newtownabbey took control of the game with shots flashing wide and over the ‘Burn goal but slowly they began to, once again, re-group and build confidence. Further bad luck came with injuries to Parkes and Gray but subs Mallon and A.Thompson added fresh legs to Bryansburn’s recovery. G.McMullan went inches wide with a fifteen yard effort, a Coard volley found the side netting and Tolson, Coard and McMullan all came close to beating the keeper to Morrison knock-downs but still the goal would not come.

As the clock ticked down everyone was resigned to a disappointing draw but disaster nearly struck when another “handball”, this time hitting a player’s back, gave the home side a free-kick twenty yards from the Bryansburn goal. Newtownabbey’s striker caught the ball perfectly and found the corner between bar & upright but Close somehow managed to get a finger-tip to touch the ball over the bar. Clearing the ball from the resulting corner Bryansburn, now deep into injury-time, went back on the offensive and it was Newtownabbey’s turn to clear their lines. Pressure finally gave ‘Burn a corner and Coard’s precision cross found Morrison who beat his marker to head home for his 19^th goal of the season with barely time to re-start.

Final score 3-2 to Bryansburn, disappointment for Newtownabbey but deserved elation for the visitors’. Best for ‘Burn: G. McMullan with a towering midfield performance, Parkes (almost as good as last week) along with notable contributions from the full squad. Also, great to see A.Cooling back and scoring after a long absence.

The 2^nd XI travelled to Portaferry Rovers ll and returned with a very creditable draw despite the late withdrawals of M.Tyson, Shields, R.McMullan and Greer.

‘Burn made a shocking start with the home side opening the scoring after only one and a half minutes. W.Ferris played the ball back to keeper Douglas but his clearance went straight to a Portaferry player thirty yards from goal and he lofted the ball back over his head and into the net. Undeterred, ‘Burn went on to dominate the rest of the half, with Tyson and Scott in complete control in the middle of the park. The ball was continually worked to the flanks where Hanna and in particularly Ballantine created a stream of chances for the front pairing of Stanex and R.Dempster but none were taken. Then on the stroke of halftime the home side doubled their lead. A corner was knocked back to the full-back and his shot was going wide until being deflected into the net.

‘Burn continued to see plenty of the ball in the second half but it took until the hour mark before they finally pulled a goal back. Scott, Tyson and Ballantine were all involved before the ball broke to Kehoe and he cut inside his marker and unleashed a shot from thirty yards out that took a deflection and looped over the keeper. Bryansburn continued to create chances but had to wait until the 82^nd minute before finally grabbing a deserved equaliser. A free-kick into the box was headed out to Hanna on the left flank. He crossed into the area, where Centre-half Jones had remained up and as he challenged for the ball it broke to Tyson on the edge of the box and he drilled the ball into the net.

In the closing minutes ‘Burn had a couple of chances to win the game but right at the death Portaferry had a chance to steal all three points but both sides had to settle for a point apiece.

Good team performance with special mention to Tyson and Kehoe whose attitude and performance were first class.     

The 3^rd XI had a 3-1 win over 82^nd that was more comfortable than the final score would suggest.

Bryansburn made a great start taking the lead in only the 7^th minute when Scott burst down the left flank and crossed for Dempster to bundle the ball home. The game could have been over in the next twenty minutes as Cardwell had three great chances to score, McGimpsey was foiled by the keeper and shots from Cole, McMurray and Scott were just off target. Added to the fact that Cardwell was denied what looked a couple of nailed on penalties and a series of corners it was credit to 82^nd that they hung in with just a solitary goal deficit.

Then midway through the half McGimpsey was found by a great ball only for the keeper to make a fine save but Dempster was first to the loose ball to guide it into the net from the edge of the box. With Bryansburn playing some great possession football and 82^nd chasing shadows, the home side should have racked up the further goals that the approach play deserved. However, not only did ‘Burn fail to add to their tally but 82^nd actually carved out a couple of decent chances only to fail to hit the target.

The second half followed the same vein as the first with Bryansburn in total control but unable to get the third goal needed to kill the game off. Cardwell should have had a couple of penalties but the Referee was of the belief that he could not award a penalty unless the player went down. Dempster should have completed his hat-trick when he met a McMurray corner at the back post but headed just wide and Cole clipped the outside of the post. Then totally against the run of play 82^nd scored to make it 2-1 and they genuinely felt that they could get something out of the game.

J.McMullan then entered the fray replacing McMurray for his long awaited comeback from injury. ‘Burn pressed and pressed but the 82^nd keeper pulled off a number of saves and several scrambles in the visitors’ box failed to end with the ball in the net.

Finally, five minutes from time, a mazy run and cross from Scott picked out Cardwell at the far post and he headed home to make the points safe. Then on the stroke of fulltime Scott was sent sprawling in the box but the keeper capped a tremendous performance by saving Cardwell’s penalty kick.

The 4^th XI travelled to take on 2nd placed Ravenhill YM ll for a game they simply had to win to maintain their title challenge. The side did not disappoint, winning 3-1 to ease into 2^nd place and keep themselves in the mix.

In Spring conditions ‘Burn set out their stall to play into the wind and uphill on a tight pitch. Ravenhill, having lost their last game, had no option other than to throw everything at the visitors to ensure their own title challenge did not evaporate. Several chances could have been converted before the first half ended but the resolute ‘Burn back four marshalled by the experienced Black in nets kept the scores level. Bryansburn did create a few chances in the opening half but the general consensus at halftime was that 0-0 was a good score.
Self belief coupled with solid advice and inspiration from the management led to a more assured second forty-five minutes. Wind assisted, ‘Burn carved out four early corners and three shots on target which gave the visitors, buoyed by the customary vocal support, the inspiration to gain three points. Finally a right-wing cross was met by Lowry who slipped his marker to score from close range.

Despite further opportunities the score remained a dangerous 1-0 with Bryansburn holding on for maximum points. Then with nineteen minutes left on the clock Lowry pounced for both his and Bryansburn’s second goal. He received the ball with his back to goal, twisted and turned to lose his marker and shot home from sixteen yards. The game looked over but then in the 81^st minute Ravenhill grabbed a lifeline.

The pressure was evident and Bogle was required to bolster the defence which he did, as, in the face of an onslaught, the visitors held their nerve. Tackle after tackle, bodies blocking shots, headers won in the box – ‘Burn held out superbly.

Then on the break with two minutes remaining a quick break saw Stevenson blast home from ten yards to give the comfort blanket required. A full seven minutes of injury time was played but the home side failed to find a way back into the game.

The fourth team now have to ensure that they take maximum points from their remaining league games and then will they be in position to see how the other results go, in particular the two clashes between rivals Moat Park Rangers ll and Greenwell Star ll.

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 Shorts FC (a), 2^nd XI V Suffolk ll (a), 3^rd XI V Bangor Swifts lll (h) and 4^th XI V Vision Athletic ll (h).

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. 

The next social event is a Pool Tournament this Saturday 8^th March and all those interested in competing should give their name to Johnny Ferris. All welcome.

Please keep Saturday 12^th April free as 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.