Bryansburn lost their 100% league record with a 1-1 draw away to Bloomfield last Saturday.
‘Burn started the better and should have taken the lead when Malomo-Paris missed from six yards out. This went on to be the story of the 1st half when chance after chance fell to a number of Bryansburn players with no-one able to put the ball in the back of the net.
‘Burn then paid the price for their wastefulness in front of goal in the 38th minute when a defensive error was punished when a 25-yard drive gave Wallace no chance in the Bryansburn goal
The 2nd half started with again some glorious chances for Murray and Culbert but again they failed to convert. Malomo-Paris did however make amends for his early miss when in the 71st minute he made a great run right to the bye- line and pulled the ball back for Culbert to slide the ball into the empty net to level the scores
‘Burn were now on top of their game but despite continuing to create some good chances a winning goal failed to materialise and this has to be seen as two points dropped rather than one gained.
Bryansburn travel to Derriaghy CC this Saturday for 2nd round Border Cup tie
Bryansburn 2nd XI got their competitive season off to a poor start, hosting Dunmurry YM II on a blustery day but going down 3-2 to a dubious penalty.
Starting against the wind, ‘Burn were encamped for the most part in their own half but a mixture of good defending and missed chances kept the game scoreless. They were able to make the occasional break up-field and J McAllister had a chance to give ‘Burn the lead against the run of play, but saw his attempted chip over the keeper go wide of the mark. HT 0-0.
The visitors had a great start to the second period, scoring twice in the opening fifteen minutes of the half through their two strikers. However ‘Burn battled back bravely. An interception by Cunningham played in Morrison who skipped around the keeper and slotted into an empty net to make it 2-1. Keeper Gardner then hit the Dunmurry crossbar from a wind-assisted kick from his hands. Parity was restored with fifteen minutes to go. Corr chased down a Cunningham through ball to slot home from inside the 18-yard box. ‘Burn had the momentum but were undone when the visiting referee awarded his side a penalty after the Dunmurry striker appeared to have dived into the box. Their captain slotted home to give them the three points.
A disappointing and frustrating start for the 2nds but they will be pleased with a battling fight-back before suffering at the hands of a poor refereeing decision.
FT 2-3.
The 3rd XI went down 4-3 at Corrymeela in a game that they should have taken something from.
The home side made the more accomplished start and ‘Burn survived an early scare when a home forward scooped the ball over the bar from three yards out. Bryansburn soon settled down and after several promising attacks soon took the lead. Cardwell threaded Gallagher through and he fired the ball into the top corner for a sublime finish. Shortly after the lead should have been doubled after Cardwell was fouled in the box. Beattie stepped up but failed to hit the target from the spot kick. The miss proved costly as minutes later Corrymeela equalised with a header direct from a corner.
Early in the second half Corrymeela took the lead but ‘Burn stuck to their task and were duly rewarded. Gallagher made a tremendous run down the left and his cross was swept home by Cardwell who reached the ball just before a defender. In the 68th minute Bryansburn then took the lead. This time it was Owens who played the ball through and top scorer Cardwell nipped in just before the keeper to round him and slot home into an empty net.
Corrymeela finished strongly but as the game entered the final ten minutes ‘Burn should have been well capable of seeing the game out. However the midfield lost their way somewhat and two goals in the space of a minute turned a possible three points into nothing as too many players simply switched off.
Bryansburn made a concerted effort to salvage something but the nearest they came was when a long throw from Storey went through a crowded box and ended up in the net only for the Referee to rule that no-one had managed to get a touch.
The game finished 4-3 to Corrymeela and Bryansburn will see this as points dropped having been in such a dominant position with ten minutes remaining.
The 4th XI will not get their competitive season underway until this Saturday as their home fixture against Moat Park Rangers ll was called off due to an unplayable pitch.
This Saturday: 1st XI V Derriaghy CC (a) in the 2nd Round of the Border Cup with a trip to either Newcastle or Kilmore Rec awaiting the winners in Round 3. In League fixtures, the 2nd XI entertain Bangor Rangers ll, the 3rd XI are at home to 3rd Bangor OB and the 4th XI visit Vision Athletic ll.
Next Sunday 20th September Club members will be taking part in a sponsored cycle. This will be followed by a family day at Ballywooley from 3pm onwards with Bouncy Castle, Face-Painting and an all-day Barbeque. All members are asked to come along with their friends and family to support what should be a very enjoyable event.
