League 1C: Bryansburn Rangers 6 Kilroot 0

May Day saw the 1^sts back at Ballywooley and scoring 6 while making short work of league strugglers Kilroot. Once again ‘Burn were forced to dig deep into their talent pool to field a team but, despite a spirited performance from the visitors, there was never any doubt in the final outcome.

Shots from McGreevy, Tolson, Coard and Thompson all missed the target in a one-sided but hesitant opening period. Debut keeper Beattie showed a good pair of hands and great confidence on the rare occasions when Kilroot managed to escape the efforts of Higginson Gray and Mellon while fellow rookie Patterson got another run out on the wing. Kilroot’s only chance, a quick free kick taken while ‘Burn protested, came closest to breaking the deadlock but minutes later a tame Stannex shot somehow bounced through the visitors defence and crept in for a 25^th minute 1-0 lead. It took only 5 minutes for ‘Burn to double their lead when Morrison ran from deep to slot home and a further 10 for a 25 yard Thompson shot to make it a comfortable 3-0 at half time.

  Collins replaced Mellon and the assault on the Kilroot goal continued. Another direct Morrison run split the defence and set up Stannex to side-foot in his second for 4-0 but 3 direct efforts within 5 minutes from ‘Burn’s No 9 saw a save, a goal-line clearance and the post prevent further success. Coard and Thompson both tried their luck from long range but it wasn’t until the 78^th minute that substitute Hanna made it 5-0. Kilroot showed remarkable resilience in fighting to the bitter end but a penalty from Stannex completed his hat-trick and another 6-0 defeat for the weary visitors.

A solid team performance and a “job well done”, putting Bryansburn into 5^th position in the league 1c.