After the postponement of lasts weeks’ scheduled fixture, Bryansburn Rangers finally hosted Dungiven FC from the NI Intermediate League and recorded an emphatic 3-1 victory to progress into the 4th Round of the Irish Cup.
Bryansburn, just as they did against Lisburn Rangers in their previous game, came out of the blocks right from the first whistle and the visitors did not know what had hit them as within fifteen explosive minutes they found themselves 3-0 down and basically out of the contest.
In the 6th minute Shaw, making his long awaited return to the 1st team after many years, played a great ball to Tumelty and with great precision he split the Dungiven defence and sent Barr charging into the box only for him to be upended for an easy decision for the referee to make and he duly obliged by pointing to the spot. After numerous misses from twelve yards from various players this year, up stepped Tumelty who made no mistake and rifled it into the net.
On nine minutes, after great play from Barr & McGimpsey, Barr was once again fouled halfway into the Dungiven half. Maguire delivered a deep free kick to the back post where Culbert was on hand to smash a volley goalwards only for the keeper to save it with his legs but fortunately for Culbert the ball came back to him and with quick reactions he poked the ball home for the 2nd.
The 3rd and decisive goal came in the 14th minute when great play down the right from Murray found Tumelty eighteen yards out and he flicked the ball up with his right foot and smashed it with his left foot sending it wide of the outstretched hand of the keeper into the corner of the net for what was a great individual goal.
Dungiven now began to settle and started to come back into the game and in particular their right sided player Boyle who at times was giving Shaw a headache. Although Boyle danced past him a couple of times the tricky winger’s final ball into the box was easily cleared by the home defence.
The ‘Burn attack consisting of Culbert, Tumelty and Barr continued to look very dangerous and had the Dungiven defence in turmoil. McGimpsey and Murray once again were inspirational and the impressive Maguire with his creative passing was a joy to watch.
At the other end the visitors were trying to get back into the game and the home side had to endure a few uncomfortable situations. One in particular were Kane clearly barged the Dungiven player in the box but the referee who had a great view of it deemed it fair and play carried on.
The game was certainly stretched with end-to-end action but the visitors were reduced to long-range efforts and the half finished without anymore scoring. HT 3-0
Dungiven started the 2nd half as if they meant business. After only one minute and great work once again down the right, the ball was fizzed low across the edge of the box, and after two dummied attacks the midfield player found himself in front of goal but his shot went well wide of the target.
Certainly a wake up call the home team needed but ‘Burn with the cushion of the 3-0 found it difficult to keep the ball as it was the visitors who had all the momentum.
Dungiven now were on top and playing a nice passing game and as Bryansburn struggled for possession this allowed the visitors to camp themselves in the ‘Burn half. However, the Bryansburn defence, well marshalled by Graham, stood up to everything they through at them.
The turning point of the game was when Doran pulled off two tremendous saves, one when he was at full stretch to his left with a strong hand to turn the ball round the post and the 2nd one equally as impressive as he saved it with his legs.
Maybe if one of those chances had gone in the game may have got that little bit nervier for the home side.
As Dungiven pressed to get back into the game, the pitch clearly was taking its toll and this allowed for the ‘Burn attacks to be more frequent.
Tumelty, Culbert and Barr as they did most of the afternoon, looked dangerous in every flow of attack and but for lack of composure and poor finishing the score line could have been more impressive.
On 82 minutes after a goal mouth scramble where the ball come back off the post, Dungiven finally got a consolation goal their efforts fully deserved but it was Bryansburn who held out to progress to the 4th Round of the Irish Cup where they will play another NI Intermediate League team Oxford Utd Stars on the 12th December at Ballywooley with the winners going into the hat with the chance of a big draw against an Irish League Club such as Linfield or Glentoran.
Bryansburn host top Championship Side Donegal Celtic this Saturday in the Intermediate Cup, which will be a mammoth task for the players but a game they should all enjoy.
We trust we will have the support of everyone connected to Bryansburn Rangers FC and as we all know football sometimes can cause upsets and just maybe this weekend at Ballywooley we could record one of the biggest upsets in the clubs history.
The 2nds played only their 2nd game in six weeks, hosting Park View in the 3rd Round of the Junior Cup and were well beaten.
The lack of match practice showed with Bryansburn taking time to get into the game. The visitors created three chances in the opening twenty minutes and took all of them to open up a significant lead. Bryansburn started to get into the game and Edwards had a couple of excellent chances before he did pull one back, firing into the roof of the net after a brilliant through ball from midfield. However Park View were excellent in attack and took every chance that fell to them to open up their lead further and leave Bryansburn to play for pride.
The hosts put in a good effort during the opening of the second half. Morrison, J McAllister and S McAllister had chances to give the score-line some respectability but were thwarted by good goalkeeping and goal-line clearances. The game went from bad to worse for ‘Burn when the visiting striker netted himself a couple more goals and the game ended with a very comfortable victory for Park View.
This was a mixture of a very good performance from Parkview and a very poor performance from Bryansburn, who will want to get back to League action and put things right.
The 3rd XI had to draft in no fewer than four players from the 4th team into the starting line-up for their Sittlington Cup tie at Comber Star and were knocked out of the competition going down 3-1.
The home side had the better of the first half exchanges yet rarely troubled Steventon in the Bryansburn goal thanks to some poor finishing and some trouble keeping on side. At the other end ‘Burn rarely threatened although McComb stabbed the ball against the crossbar from a corner while another corner from Murphy was cleared off the line. The only goal of the half went to Comber when a long free-kick into the box deceived everybody and nestled in the corner of the net.
Bryansburn made a better show of it in the second half with Cardwell testing the keeper from distance and J.Geddis twice being denied by the keeper. The introduction of Henderson also helped as he produced a stream of dangerous crosses from the right. At the other end Comber also looked more threatening but failed to find that crucial second goal. The goal finally came and ironically from a ‘Burn corner as the home side counter-attacked, working the ball to the by-line before pulling it back for an excellent finish. In the 81st minute the tie was then killed off when Steventon was unsighted for a shot from the edge of the box. He did then make an excellent one-on-one save before Patterson drilled home a consolation strike with seven minutes left.
Bryansburn could have made the final score closer in the closing minutes when, in a bout of sustained pressure, three good chances were put over the bar from close range. However it was too little too late as over the ninety minutes Comber Star thoroughly deserved their victory.
Bryansburn 4th XI sent a patched up team to Rosemount Rec ll on Saturday due to the loss of four players called up to the third team. Veterans Pinion and Campbell were drafted in, White made his debut and there were recalls for Speers and Crawley allowing ‘Burn to field a team with no substitutes. However the side put in a good showing before finally going down 3-1.
In the early stages ‘Burn took the game to Rosemount and created several chances. Their early dominance was rewarded after fifteen minutes when Turnbull rose well to head home a corner. Gilmer went close to extending the lead before Rosemount rallied with Pinion making one great reaction save and White making a last ditch saving tackle. Their pressure was rewarded after 35 minutes when a poor clearance was lashed past Pinion into the top corner from 25 yards to make the score 1-1. ‘Burn steadied and saw out the half with no addition to the score.
Bryansburn again started the 2nd half brightly with Gilmer and the lively Turnbull causing problems for the home defence. However disaster struck ten minutes in when Gilmer fell awkwardly damaging his ankle ligaments and had to be helped off. The ten remaining men fought a gallant rear guard action relying on breaks out of defence. Crawley had some success down the left and the home defence was kept on its toes. However, as legs tired, Rosemount applied more pressure. Armstrong blocked at close range and Pinion made another fine save before the home team scored midway through the half with a header after the goalkeeper misjudged a cross. A third goal followed soon after when a left wing cross was powerfully headed home. Rosemount had a chance to put a rather flattering slant to the score when they were awarded a late penalty but the kick was fired wide leaving the final score 3 to 1.
Overall ‘Burn produced a brave battling display in difficult circumstances with everyone deserving praise but special mention goes to Turnbull who worked his socks off throughout, especially after losing his striking partner.
Training continues at Ward Park tonight (Thur) at 6.30pm and on Tuesday 8pm at Bangor Sportsplex.
The Christmas Dinner is at the Stormont Hotel on Saturday 19th December. All outstanding money must be paid this Saturday.
All players are reminded that annual subscriptions are now due. Could those who have not yet paid please do so this Saturday.
Christmas Draw tickets are now available from the respective Managers. Would all players please note that they are expected to sell their quota.
This Saturday: 1st XI V Donegal Celtic (h), 2nd XI V Downpatrick ll (h), 3rd XI V Rosemount Rec (a) and 4th XI V Queens Grads IV (h)
