‘Burn Finally Cross Finish Line

Bryansburn somehow completed an horrendous run-in in the Amateur League to complete the season. In the final four weeks the 1^st XI played twelve league games while the 2^nd XI played eleven which combined with a massive injury list tested the Club’s resources to the full. Throw in three Cup Semi-finals and one Cup Final for the 3rds and 4ths and it proved to be quite a finish to the season for Bryansburn FC. For the record those twelve games saw the 1sts win eight draw one and lose three scoring 30 goals in the process and conceding only eleven. In their eleven games the 2nds won six drew one and lost four scoring thirty-six conceding twenty-six. Our congratulations go to all the players involved in the close season programme and in particular the 4^th team squad who lifted the Mervyn Bassett Cup.

The 1^st XI’s final match of the campaign ended with an impressive 4-0 victory over Newington Rangers securing them 6^th place in Division 1C.

Despite missing four regulars, ‘Burn were pleased to welcome back G.McMullan after a bad injury and hopes were high for a chance to overturn an earlier defeat to the Co-Antrim side.

An un-promising start saw ‘Burn unable to get a grip on the game and they repeatedly invited trouble with over-elaborate passing across their own penalty area. Newington spurned three clear chances to score before ‘Burn threatened the visitors’ goal but the home side slowly got into the game with strong running from Tolson providing chances for Mallon and McGreevy. The half hour mark came with Mallon narrowing missing with a diving header from a Coard cross but within a minute Bryansburn again looked rattled as Newington capitalised on a loose pass only to blast over the bar. Nerves were finally settled just before the whistle when Morrison coolly waited for a looping deflection to drop before lashing in a 15 yard volley for welcome 1-0 half-time lead.

‘Burn were a different side after the break. Higginson, Kehoe (replacing A.McMullan), A.Cooling and Thompson broke down every attack and delivered telling balls into midfield where Coard and G.McMullan began to exert total control. Newington had one chance when a free-kick went wide and keeper Beattie twice made comfortable saves but Bryansburn were in command. Mallon’s tireless running was torturing the Newington defence and after forcing a corner he pounced to make it 2-0 from Coard’s delivery while efforts from Tolson and McMullan were only inches wide. Kehoe was equally effective on the right and provided the 76th minute cross for Morrison to head home for 3-0 and with Patterson and Stanex adding to the offensive it was suddenly one-way traffic. A Coard cross found Morrison in the 82^nd and the striker made no mistake in controlling and slotting home to make it 4-0, another hat-trick, and 36 goals from 36 games. G.McMullan, Coard, and Stanex tried their luck in the remaining minutes but a relaxed ‘Burn could not add to their tally.

This was a fitting end to a tough season with the final gruelling twelve matches in twenty-nine days yielding twenty-five points from a possible thirty-six to move the team to a respectable league position. Great to see “new” faces making impressive debuts and strong performances from all the “regulars” (even after the arduous run-in) but it was the “veterans” Mallon, Coard and Morrison who stole the show on the night…

In their penultimate game the 1sts were in action against Champions-elect Portaferry Rovers going down 3-0. Title-chasing Rovers were probably the last side ‘Burn wanted to face in their hectic schedule with the visitors’ anxious to gain revenge for a superb 5-4 win Bryansburn inflicted on them in the first fixture. As it was ‘Burn managed to field a strong side and put up a creditable performance before their bigger, stronger, hungrier opposition finally ran out worthy winners.

Portaferry were quickly into the match concentrating on a long ball game giving defenders Parkes, A.Cooling, Gray and McMullan plenty of work and effectively by-passing the ‘Burn midfield. Two early breaks saw a saved Stanex shot and Morrison 20 yard effort just over the bar but at the other end Close’s goal led a charmed life for the first half hour.  ‘Burn weathered the storm well and Morrison, from a Coard through ball, and McGreevy with a turn & shot just wide almost surprised Rovers but the final fifteen minutes of the half saw the visitors force two good saves, hit the woodwork and have a goal disallowed to leave a fragile 0-0 half-time score.

Predictably, trophy-hungry Rovers went up a gear in the second half and Tolson, McGreevy (replaced by Higginson), Coard and C.Cooling were pushed back to help defend the aerial barrage. A.Cooling was outstanding at centre-half, saving ‘Burn on endless occasions, but Portaferry still managed to make the breakthrough on the hour with a simple passing move and crisp shot making it 1-0. Two minutes later Rovers hit the bar, Close pulled off a point-blank save and ‘Burn were in general struggling to find the energy to respond. A 73^rd minute deep cross and goalmouth scramble made it two and three minutes later a misdirected throw out gifted the visitors their 3^rd. Morrison & Stanex, (replaced by Patterson), worked hard to force a consolation goal but in the end Bryansburn were forced to re-group in an “Alamo” formation to survive the final onslaught. Result: 3-0 to Portaferry.     

Best for ‘Burn: A.Cooling: superb in defence, Stanex: his best performance yet before tiring in the 2^nd half: gritty efforts from the full squad.

The 2^nd XI completed their season with three games in the final five days. Last Tuesday Suffolk FC ll were the visitors’ to Ballywooley and in a feisty game Morrison scored all four goals as an injury time strike saw Bryansburn record a 4-2 victory. Then on Thursday Champions Greencastle ll had a comfortably 5-2 victory at Ballywooley against a depleted Bryansburn side. On target for Bryansburn were Stevenson and Hanna. Finally on Saturday morning another understrength side travelled to Colinvalley ll yet managed to return with all three points and a superb 5-2 victory. Morrison completed yet another hat-trick to take his total to 45 for the season and he was ably supported by Armstrong who struck twice.

On Saturday the 3^rd XI completed their season with a competitive 1-1 draw against Bangor Rangers lll at Upritchard Park. The home side enjoyed the majority of the possession and territorial advantage throughout but it was Bryansburn who created most of the clear-cut chances. ‘Burn took the lead late in the first half with a free-kick from top scorer Cardwell with Bangor Rangers equalising with a cross-cum-shot that found the top corner fifteen minutes from time. Bryansburn should have taken all three points with two golden chances in the closing minutes but over the ninety minutes a draw was a fair result.

In midweek the 3rds were beaten 5-3 by Comber Rec lll at Ballywooley when Shields, Cardwell and Dempster were on target for ‘Burn. “Man of the Match” was keeper Steventon who produced a magnificent performance to stop Bryansburn suffering an even heavier defeat against a strong Comber side.

Hopes of all the Bryansburn veterans reaching one last Cup Final were dashed when the 3^rd XI lost 2-1 to 43^rd OB in the Semi-final of the Frank Moore Memorial Cup. ‘Burn led 1-0 through a well crafted goal from Scott only for 43^rd to equalise from a dubious penalty on the stroke of half-time. ‘Burn conceded from a corner on the hour mark but from then on it was all Bryansburn, playing all the football and creating enough chances to book their place in the Final. McGimpsey missed two one-on-ones, put another over the bar from six yards and Cardwell blasted a last minute penalty over the bar after McGimpsey had been fouled but ‘Burn failed to find the solitary strike that would at least have forced extra time.   

Three thrilling matches in a week – two Semi-finals and a Final - brought the curtain down on a highly successful season for the 4^th XI which also saw them finish runners-up in the League.

On a wonderful, late spring evening at Billy Neill PF the 4ths faced Greenwell Star ll for a place in the final of the Mervyn Bassett Cup. Buoyed by a sizable support, 'Burn opened brightly before, with Greenwell's first attack, a rare mistake by keeper Black saw the red and white forward scramble the ball over for an unexpected early lead. Within three minutes of the restart, the stunned defensive Bryansburn line shipped another to find themselves two down following a great finish. Despite the early double setback Bryansburn showed great resolve and for twenty minutes played exquisite football, creating a number of chances. As halftime loomed, Stevenson was at hand to open the Bryansburn account with a well taken low shot into the corner of the net, giving the opposition keeper no chance.

The second period started in a similar fashion with 'Burn pressing hard for the equaliser. A number of chances came and went, and then totally against the run of play, a rare Greenwell foray saw them go 3-1 up. Despite the score-line, Bryansburn were very much still in the game. With twenty minutes left, Stevenson doubled his and the 'Burn's tally with a sublime shot from a right wing cross originating from young Kennedy. Further chances went begging and with eight minutes left on the clock, it looked to be "one of those nights". Encouragement from the sidelines coupled with some determined and strong managerial advice saw a remarkable finish to the game.

With two minutes left, Stevenson completed his hat-trick to make it 3-3 and virtually straight from the restart, Bryansburn, with their tails up, got their deserved winner. A midfield ball saw both Lowry and Stone attacking the pass; Stone took control and skipped past the last defender before shooting low and hard into the corner, to cap a wonderful display from the entire squad.

Awaiting the 4^th XI in the Final of the Mervyn Bassett Cup were League Champions Moat Park Rangers ll and a thrilling tie saw ‘Burn lift the Cup after a hard fought 2-1 win.

Despite an early downpour the playing surface at Comber Rec's ground Parkway was in perfect condition to host the final of the Mervyn Bassett Cup. Having seen off Moat Park twice in the league this season Bryansburn entered this game with enthusiasm, hope and determination. A sizable crowd saw a great game played by two strong and entertaining teams. 'Burn custodian Black was called into action early with two fine saves. The defence marshalled by Pollard were coping well with the pace of the Moat forwards. From midfield Bryansburn created a number of opportunities with the hardworking Lowry causing problems with his tireless running up top. Stone went close but saw his shot go narrowly wide midway through the first half. A series of Bryansburn corners, while threatening, were cleared. With ten minutes of the half left, a cross from Emberson landed in the six yard box invitingly and from the ensuing scramble, Lowry was at hand to poke home. A further Lowry chance was well saved by the keeper just before the whistle. 

The second half continued in a similar vein with both sides creating chances, a Stone shot skimmed the post which could have put the game to bed if it had gone a couple of inches the other way, but Moat Park showed why they are League champions and continued to press for the equaliser. This duly arrived with an unstoppable shot from the Rangers midfielder Gadget. In the 70^th minute, somewhat against the run of play, Bryansburn took the lead with what turned out to be the winner. A corner from the right was powerfully headed home by Stevenson. Moat Park went three at the back in search of an equaliser and spent the remainder of the match camped in the Bryansburn half but some sterling defensive work kept them at bay. The clock finally reached the ninety mark and the eight minutes of injury time seemed an eternity for those on and off the pitch in 'Burn colours. All eyes were on the ref, waiting for his whistle and with seconds remaining, a loose ball fell to the Moat Park Rangers centre forward, who with the goal at his mercy, was tackled by two defenders to minimise his shot which to Rangers despair saw ‘Burn keeper Black collect the ball in both hands.

The game ended moments later amid scenes of wild celebration which went on long into the night. A fantastic result for the team and the club, and the silverware will be presented at our awards night. The winning squad was Black, Canning, Pollard, Ferris, Kennedy, Bogle, Emberson, Dickinson, Stone, Stevenson, Lowry, Parkinson, Gardner, and McNeill. The management team would like to thank the following for their continued support throughout the past season: McConnell Kelly Solicitors, Main Street Bangor, Ballyrobert Vauxhall, Baillie’s Menswear, High Street Bangor and to Ski and Sports, Dargan Crescent Duncrue for their match ball sponsorship for the Final.

Unfortunately two days later Moat Park Rangers ll gained some revenge by beating the 4ths 3-2 in the Semi-final of the Tommy Murphy. ‘Burn had looked on course for a second Cup Final when they led 2-1 with nine minutes left but the exertions from the Final finally took their toll as Moat scored twice in the closing stages for victory. The game had been tied at 1-1 with Stone on target for Bryansburn with twelve minutes remaining. Then a blocking tackle from Johnny Ferris resulted in excellent midfield play which saw Stone collect the ball and, having beaten two players, fired home a delightful shot into the corner. That looked like being the winner until the late Moat show prematurely ended the 4ths season.

There are still a couple of 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.   

This Saturday there will be a friendly match at Ballywooley between a Bryansburn XI and the 4^th XI, kick-off 1pm. Afterwards there will be a barbeque for all with a good crowd expected for the FA Cup Final and traditional Penalty Kick Competition.

The Annual Dinner & Awards Night is at the Stables on Friday 23^rd May. Tickets (£17.50) are available from Johnny Ferris and Alan Dempster.

The Annual General Meeting of Bryansburn FC will take place in the Clubhouse at 1pm on Saturday 24^th May. All Full Members are expected to attend.