League 1C: Bryansburn Rangers 2 Groomsport 1

Tuesday 29^th saw 1^sts almost back on home ground collecting a 2-1 win over neighbours Groomsport. The end-of-season build-up continued to limit squad selection possibilities but again a makeshift Bryansburn proved more than a match for the home side even when reduced to ten men for the final 25 minutes.

‘Burn looked dangerous from the start with Patterson, on his full debut, making an early impact on the left. Chances fell to Coard and Stannex before Morrison jinked between two defenders to slot home the opener after only 8 minutes but Groomsport settled and went close with a couple of long range efforts mid-way through the half. Parkes, Thompson and A. McMullan, ably marshalled by manager Mellon, denied Groomsport any possession in the final third and ‘Burn again began to make headway with a more direct central assault. Good balls from Coard and C. Cooling gave Stannex and Morrison two chances to test the keeper but with another header and two free kicks going high or wide for ‘Burn and a single 30 yard effort from Groomsport shepherded over the bar by Close the half ended at 1-0.  

A saved Stannex volley and Coard shot over the bar saw ‘Burn again in control in a lively opening ten minute spell but Groomsport’s 54^th minute set piece opened-up the game when they capitalised on a fluffed clearance and defensive hesitation to bring the scores level at 1-1. Bryansburn clearly heard the wake-up call and with Parkes and McGreevy playing a greater part in the game Groomsport were again on the defensive. A powerful run and though pass from Parkes released Morrison and when the striker hit the bye-line and fired in a cross Stannex was on hand to head home his 5^th of the campaign to restore the lead with an hour played. For a couple of minutes it was all ‘Burn as they chased what seemed to be an inevitable 3^rd goal but disaster struck when McMullan’s exemplary 2013/14 discipline record evaporated in a spat with the home bench: two reds were shown but it was ‘Burn who were left with ten men on the field with 25 minutes still to play. Gray replaced Mellon, Crawley later replaced Parkes and the manager resumed control from the bench re-shuffling the formation repeatedly to stifle a growing Groomsport threat. Close pulled off a match-saving one-on-one stop; the home-side had a handful of shots whistle past the Bryansburn woodwork but in the end a pile-driving shot from Coard which smashed off the post was the closest either side came to troubling the score-keeper. Full time 2-1 to Burn, and a 6^th place league position to defend in their remaining 3 matches.  

Best for ‘Burn: Coard, again the key playmaker and Morrison with 1 goal/1 assist with the full squad showing a spirited performance despite playing their 9^th match in 21 days.