Bryansburn 1st XI earned a trip to either Rosario YC or Lisburn Rangers in the 3rd Round of the Clarence Cup with a narrow 2-1 victory over Bangor Rangers at Clandeboye Park on Tuesday night.
‘Burn put in a rather jaded performance with their recent Cup exploits seemingly having taken a toll whereas the home side looked brighter and more up for the game throughout but Bryansburn are in the next round and that is the most important thing.
The first half was a bit of a non-event with the two sides mustering just one shot on target between them. That came courtesy of a Graham header from a Mayne free-kick in the 9th minute which Bryansburn keeper Steventon tipped over the bar. Bryansburn shaded the early exchanges passing the ball about well without really creating much. Tumelty made a good run down the inside right channel and his cross somehow eluded everyone in the middle. S.Barr played a ball over the top to put R.Barr in the clear but he lobbed over both the advancing keeper and the bar while a minute later Tumelty went close from long-range.
In the 29th minute Bryansburn’s S.Barr and Mayne of Bangor Rangers clashed and Mayne kicked out leaving the referee little choice but to brandish a straight red card. However despite the man advantage the Bryansburn play still lacked a sense of urgency and they only managed to carve out two more chances before the break both of which fell to Tumelty. Firstly he latched on to a four man move but shot over and then when Cooling found him with a superb ball he turned his man well but again shot over. Bangor had a chance at the other end in the 42nd minute when Drew burst into the box but his low effort went wide. HT 0-0
Nine minutes into the second half ‘Burn at last threatened the home goal. A long diagonal ball from Graham found S.Barr wide on the left and his cross was met by R.Barr but the keeper saved well and then reacted swiftly to deny McGimpsey from the rebound. A minute later a tame McKee shot was fumbled by Steventon for a corner before ‘Burn made their first change bringing on Kane for Thompson with Graham moving into midfield. On the hour the deadlock was broken. Cooling surged down the right and found R.Barr at the near post. He turned his marker and crossed low to the back post where Tumelty pounced to score. Bangor Rangers looked to have equalised from a corner in the 66th minute but the ball was somehow kept out in a goalmouth scramble. Young Morrison replaced McGimpsey in the 71st minute and five minutes later ‘Burn should have doubled their advantage. Graham chipped the ball forward to Culbert and he held the ball up well before back-heeling to Tumelty but his shot was saved.
The closing stages were totally dominated by Bangor Rangers. In the 78th minute Maguire chopped a Bangor player on the edge of the box. The resultant free-kick hit the wall but seconds later Maguire received a second yellow card for handball and he was given his marching orders. Then a Kane foul on the edge of the box stopped another powerful run and he too went into the book. This time the free-kick sailed over the bar.
The home side stepped up the pressure and forced several corners in succession while Steventon tipped a low drive round the post. Finally Bangor Rangers got the equaliser they deserved in the 87th minute. Steventon made two superb saves before the ball was crossed in and headed home by Graham. However there was to be a twist in the tale. One minute later the ball was played up to Morrison and he held the ball up well before finding Tumelty and he drilled the ball into the bottom corner for a welcome although somewhat undeserved winner.
Malomo-Paris replaced Culbert on the ninety minutes and ‘Burn professionally run the clock down for the three minutes of injury time.
As stated not one of Bryansburn’s better performances but still another victory. Now the side need to get back on form for their long-awaited return to League action on Saturday.
On Saturday the 1st XI’s game at League-leaders Dundonald was called off at midday due to a frozen pitch.
Bryansburn 2nd XI notched a much needed victory away to Sirocco Works ll returning with a well-deserved 4-0 win.
’Burn were well up for this match and should of taken a 1st minute lead when Bowater was put through but his looped effort went just went over. Bryansburn kept up the pressure and had another great chance when the lively Morrison ran on to a Bowater pass but did not connect right and sent his shot wide. ‘Burn pushed hard and had a few half chances but failed to score as the 1st half ended 0-0.
The 2nd half started in the same fashion as the first with plenty of ‘Burn pressure and the visitors finally got the breakthrough on the hour mark. Bowater hit a great free-kick, which the keeper fumbled and Malomo-Paris was on hand to poke the ball home.
’Burn doubled their lead five minutes later when Morrison put in a good ball which Bowater took down with a great touch and hit on the turn giving the keeper no chance. Sirocco tried to get back into the game but never troubled the returning Galbraith in goal with Bryansburn’s midfield and defence stopping every attack they mounted.
Bryansburn made a couple of changes with Flynn and Storey coming on and they settled in right away with Flynn smashing a volley right into the top corner of the net to make it three nil and kill the game off.
With tens minutes left Cunningham replaced Kehoe as Bryansburn ran down the clock with a passing game that had Sirocco chasing shadows at times and this led to ‘Burn’s fourth goal when good closing down saw the ball come to Flynn all of thirty yards out and he fired a unstoppable drive right in the corner of the net.
This was a great team performance in a game ‘Burn controlled from start to finish without a single sirocco shot on target. It would be unfair to single anyone out, as the whole team were outstanding.
The 3rd XI’s trip to Comber Rec lll was also called off late on Saturday morning due to a frozen pitch.
Bryansburn 4th XI were given a football lesson by a strong Moat Park Rangers ll side at Dundonald crashing out of the Reserve Team Cup at the 2nd Round stage.
The home side put ‘Burn under pressure from the start with their fast attacking play. Bryansburn survived a couple of near misses before Moat Park took the lead after twenty minutes when a shot was deflected to give keeper Gardner no chance. ‘Burn had to rely on occasional breaks from defence and from one of these Patterson showed good persistence to fire home for a surprise equaliser. Moat Park responded strongly with Gardner being kept busy and saving well on a number of occasions. Almost inevitably the pressure told and they worked the ball well with a deep cross being headed powerfully home.
The second half continued in much the same vein. ‘Burn defended valiantly but lost McAllister and Geddis to injury before Moat Park extended their lead. Their dominance was confirmed when a cross from the right was deflected into the net and when Gardner saved well only for the rebound to be slotted home to leave the final score 5 – 1 to Moat Park.
Training continues tonight (Thur) at Ward Park, 6pm.
Fixtures for Saturday: 1st XI V Shorts FC (a), 2nd XI V Wellington Rec ll (h), 3rd XI V Comber YM (a) and 4th XI V Moat Park Rangers ll (h).
On Saturday Bryansburn are holding a quiz night at the Club, 7.30pm. It is asked that all members make a special effort to attend. Quizmaster is David Corr.
Finally everyone connected to the Club would like to pass on their deepest sympathy to Sonya and Gary Beattie after the death of Sonya’s mother. Our thoughts are with you.
