Bryansburn 1st XI continued their unbeaten start to their League campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Orangefield OB last Saturday 31st October but blew a golden opportunity to go top of Division 1B.
Right from the off Orangefield tried to kick Bryansburn off the pitch and it was no surprise in the 3rd minute when their No 8 received the 1st yellow of the game for a two-footed lunge on Murray.
‘Burn started knocking the ball about and after great work from Barr, returning from a three match suspension, played the ball to Tumelty whose weak shot never troubled the away side keeper.
The home side were finding more and more space down the left flank and should have taken the lead when the ball was switched from left to right and a great pass found Culbert but he blazed his shot well over the bar.
Two minutes before the break Bryansburn finally managed to stick the ball in the net. The hard working Murray found his way into the box and a clever chip sailed into the far corner of the net to leave the home support ecstatic.
The pitch was starting to cut up badly at the start of the 2nd half but it was the home side who were trying to play the football. Any efforts that Orangefield had did not trouble Doran in the Bryansburn goal.
However, with twenty minutes remaining on the clock the away side levelled the scores and what a howler it was. There seemed no trouble at all but when the ball was passed back to Doran but he miss-kicked his clearance straight to their Centre-Forward who slotted into the corner from the edge of the box.
This fired the home side back into life and chances from McGimpsey, Tumelty and Maguire should have troubled the keeper but completely missed the target.
Ten minutes from the end the referee awarded a penalty to the home side when from a corner Kane was pulled to the ground. Up stepped striker Culbert but despite sending the keeper the wrong way, his penalty hit the post and rebounded to safety.
‘Burn did have another few chances before the end of the game but again couldn’t find the target.
Both the management team and players were disappointed with the final score and again it was another two vital points dropped.
This Saturday Bryansburn have a tricky away game to many people’s favourites for the title Lisburn Rangers.
The other three Bryansburn senior games were all postponed.
Training continues at Ward Park tonight (Thur) at 6.30pm and on Tuesday 8pm at Bangor Sportsplex.
Fixtures this Saturday: 1st XI V Lisburn Rangers (a), 2nd XI V Dromara Village ll (a), 3rd XI V Brentwood (a) and 4th XI V Rosemount Rec ll (h).
The Christmas Dinner has been booked in the Stormont Hotel for Saturday 19th December. There are still a few players who have been booked in but not yet paid their £25 deposit. Please sort this on Saturday or places will be cancelled.
All players are reminded that annual subscriptions are now due. Could those who have not yet paid please do so this Saturday.
In the 3rd Round of the Irish Cup Bryansburn have been drawn at home to Dungiven on 21st November. On the same date the 2nd XI have been drawn at home to Park View in the 3rd Round of the Junior Cup.
In the 2nd round of the Intermediate Cup ‘Burn have been drawn at home to the winners of Donegal Celtic and Ballynahinch United on 28th November.
