Bryansburn progressed to the 2nd Round of the Irish Cup with an extra time victory over NFC Kesh who were the visitors to Ballywooley for the 1st Round tie last Saturday 19th.
From the first whistle the ‘Burn forward line of Malomo-Paris and Barr put pressure on the away side back four and after a great run Barr was fouled in the box and the referee duly pointed to the spot. However, Barr’s resultant penalty was well saved by the Kesh keeper.
The Bryansburn back four of Cooling, Kane, Magee and Graham were dealing well with the very quick visiting strikers. Kesh came more and more into the game and after some poor defending the ball was whipped in for a Kesh striker to head a well- taken goal and put the visitors in the lead.
A stern halftime team talk from Manager Young did the trick and when Murray was challenged in the box early in the second half the referee again pointed to the spot. This time Captain Thompson slammed the ball into the net to give the home side a well-deserved equaliser.
‘Burn were now firing on all cylinders and the move of the match with no less than fifteen passes allowed Murray to play a one two with Barr and a great finish put Bryansburn into the lead for the 1st time in the game.
Maguire then replaced McGimpsey and after some neat work Bryansburn were again awarded their 3rd penalty of the game and it was time for Barr to make amends after his earlier miss and kill the game off. However yet again the away side keeper guessed right to turn the penalty away for a corner kick.
This seemed to spark Kesh into action and with only a couple of minutes of normal time remaining they snatched an equaliser. After a great stop from keeper Doran and a few scrambles the ball was poked over the line for the visitors to pull the game level.
Extra time started with both sides cancelling each other out and as it looked to be heading for the dreaded penalty kicks up stepped Barr to redeem himself. The keeper had made a great save but Barr followed on in to tap the ball into the empty net to put Bryansburn in the hat for the next round.
The ‘Burn management team were very pleased with the overall performance and look to continue their winning ways when they visit Orangefield in a League 1B encounter this coming Saturday.
The 2nd XI travelled to Drumaness Mills ll in the League and were narrowly defeated 4-3 after a late winner.
‘Burn started the better and opened up the Drumaness defence on several occasions before taking the lead. Edwards dispossessed the home left back and crossed the ball for Peeples to head home. Drumaness got back into the game when they equalised from the penalty spot and this gave them the impetus they needed. They began to play some good football and took the lead with another goal just before the break.
HT 2-1.
The home team began where they left off in the 1st half. They extended their lead with a controversial goal. The Drumaness striker pushed McAllister in the back and picked up the ball for an easy finish. The home referee waved away ‘Burn protests and the goal stood. The visitors’ heads went down for a period but, credit to them, they worked hard to fight back. Edwards had a golden opportunity to pull one back when put through by Larmour for a one-on-one with the keeper but he saw his effort rattle the post. However he made amends five minutes later when he expertly volleyed in a Morrison cross to reduce the deficit and then he slotted home from a Cunningham through ball to level the game at 3-3.
The momentum was now with Bryansburn and there appeared only one winner but ‘Burn were undone with three minutes to go by a swift counter attack from Drumaness which ended with their substitute scoring from close range. A disappointing performance and result for the 2nds. FT 4-3.
The 3rd XI had an emphatic 8-2 win at Bangor Rangers lll with the veteran strike force of Cardwell and Dempster helping themselves to seven goals between them.
The home side actually made the better start with ‘Burn slow to settle but it was Bryansburn who opened the scoring Dempster headed on a long throw from Storey and Gallagher scored with a diving header at the back post. Unfortunately this was the last action for Gallagher as he limped from the fray to be replaced by Cairnduff. Within five minutes Bangor Rangers equalised after a well-worked move and good finish carved the Bryansburn defence open. Not long after the home keeper fumbled a through ball and Cardwell was left to finish into an empty net to put Bryansburn back in the lead. ‘Burn were now beginning to get to grips with the game and Cardwell was bundled over in the box for a penalty. Dempster stepped up to slot home the resultant spot kick to make it 3-1 at the break.
Early in the second half the home side pulled the score back to 3-2 when Brady saved a powerful Worrell shot and was unfortunate to see the ball loop high over him and drop into the net. At this stage it seemed game on but instead the home side were over-run as Bryansburn stepped up a gear with devastating effect. Cardwell restored the two-goal advantage when he waltzed round several challenges and fired home. Then Dempster killed the game off when he rounded the keeper and slipped the ball home via a defender who tried to keep the ball out and ‘Burn were 5-2 up. At this stage Bryansburn were rampant with Murphy, Beattie and Storey all finding loads of space and providing the ammunition for the front two. Twice Cardwell smacked the post after being put through following great team moves and the Bangor Rangers keeper made a couple of good saves. Finally Cardwell completed his hat-trick as did Dempster who headed home a Storey cross to make it 7-2. Beattie then made a jinking run and crossed for Cardwell to volley his 4th into the roof of the net and complete the scoring at 8-2.
The back four of Cole, McComb, Shaw and Beckett had a great second half and only late on did Bangor Rangers threaten the home goal again but Brady saved well.
A tremendous second half from Bryansburn with Cardwell lifting the “Man of the Match” award.
The 4th XI travelled to Comber YM ll and despite a stirring fight-back went down 5-3.
‘Burn made a slow start and went two goals down early on with both goals being scored by headers from corners. The home side extended their lead with a goal that looked offside and when they made it four shortly before halftime a rout looked on the cards.
All credit to the young Bryansburn side as they battled back in the second half. Firstly Rea hammered a free-kick into the top corner from outside the box and then Jeffers pounced to reduce the arrears further. Comber added another goal courtesy of a fluky own goal before Proctor made the final score a more respectable looking 5-3.
Tonight (Thur) training reverts to Ward Park from 6.30 to 8.30pm. From next Tuesday training will be at Bangor Sportsplex from 8.00 to 10.00pm
This Saturday the 1st XI return to League action with a trip to Orangefield OB while the 2nd XI travel to Aghadowey in the 1st Round of the Junior Cup. In the Down Area Premier Division the 3rd XI entertain Vision Athletic while in Division 2A the 4th XI visit Agape.
