‘BURN EDGED OUT BY LEAGUE LEADERS
Bryansburn 1st XI travelled to Hillsborough on Saturday to take on unbeaten league pace setters Downshire YM. Unfortunately the 100% record for Downshire is still intact with the home side narrowly winning 1-0.
The game during the 1st half was very evenly matched as the two teams cancelled each other out somewhat. With new Centre-half Thompson and the new strike partnership of Culbert and Shanks in attack Bryansburn look to have added a different dimension to their team. With Culbert showing the strength and great ability to hold the ball up and with the clever runs of Shanks it looked as if the two were working well for their debut appearances. An early glancing header from Culbert nearly out witted the Downshire keeper but all in all the 1st half chances were very limited. Two chances of note were when the Downshire defence split like the red sea to allow Culbert in on goal, unfortunately for ‘Burn, McGimpsey failed to execute the killer pass. As the first half was drawing to a close, a mix up in the Bryansburn midfield allowed Downshire in on goal, but goalkeeper Steventon flew off his line to close the angle and saved the goal bound shot with his legs.
Five minutes into the 2nd half Downshire managed to get the only goal of the game. A Bryansburn defender should have easily cleared the ball but unforgivably he hesitated in the tackle to allow the number 6, Jay from Downshire, the opportunity to win the ball back. Closely marked, Jay fainted to hit an early shot that wrong footed Maguire and allowed the Downshire man to drive an unstoppable shot past the unsighted Steventon.
Bryansburn responded well to the set back and were on top for long periods of the 2nd half. They pressed and showed great ability to retain possession but ‘Burn found it very difficult to breakdown a resolute Downshire defence but also to maintain a high tempo to the game. This was constantly hindered by the unsporting behaviour of a Downshire committee member who failed on numerous occasions to retrieve the 2nd match ball to allow ‘Burn to sustain any meaningful quick attacks.
After being out of action for a few weeks due to injury Coard was introduced to the game and he made an immediate impact. Within a few minutes of being on the pitch he had a great opportunity when the Downshire defender slipped to allow him free but he failed to settle on the ball and eventually squandered the chance high and wide.
With the Downshire defence sitting so deep and allowing ‘Burn attack after attack it was evident that the ‘Burn side lacked creativity to unlock the home defence. With most of the attacks coming from wide areas, a mixture of poor crossing and confident handling by the Downshire goalkeeper, ‘Burn was finding it hard to execute the final ball.
The home keeper however nearly paid dearly for his confidence as Coard rushed in on him for a back pass and managed to block the kick up field. Fortune didn’t favour the brave on this occasion as when the ball rebounded off Coard’s back heading goal wards, it accidentally hit Culbert who was standing in an offside position. Had the ball not hit Culbert, Coard would have been in for a simple tap in and a deserved equaliser.
The best chance of the whole game came in the dying seconds. Shanks made a great turn in the box and unleashed his shot but the keeper was again equal to it to save low down to his near post and palmed it for a corner.
With Coard now back after injury and Mallon still to come back into the squad, if ‘Burn continue to play and retain possession like they have been doing the past few matches it’ll not be long before the goals compliment the teams performances.
