IRISH CUP WIN FOR BRYANSBURN
Bryansburn moved into the 2nd round of the JJB Irish Cup with a deserved, albeit narrow, 3 – 2 win over Sirocco Works at Ballywooley on Saturday.
Sirocco, fielding several ex Irish League players including ex Glentoran Captain Chris Walker, doubtless fancied their chances but had not reckoned on Bryansburn playing crisp man to man football on a heavy pitch. In teaming rain and a near gale force north-easterly wind blowing diagonally downhill, the advantage was with Bryansburn in the first half. Following several promising raids early on, Mallon on the left skinned the visiting full back and drove the ball against the wind across the goal line and although Culbert was in the mix, it looked as if a defender got the final touch for an own goal. With Sirocco playing high balls into the wind, they had little impact as an attacking force with the ball continually blowing out of play or gusting back over their heads. On the half hour mark good work on the left by Maguire and Ennis released Coard who swung the ball goal-wards for an alert McGimpsey to follow up with a powerful volley to make it 2-0.
No doubt Sirocco fancied their chances with the wind advantage in the second half but it was Bryansburn who looked the more likely early on, keeping the ball on the ground and finding their men. Ten minutes into the half, McGimpsey squared the ball wide to Moore who sent Coard away scurrying up the right. A measured cross was played between the back four and the goalkeeper and although it passed Culbert, Mallon was there to finish at the back post and make it 3-0.
Two minutes later Sirocco got a lifeline when a ball was swept over from the right and was neatly headed in. Then midway through the half, a free kick from virtually the same spot was also headed home. With the tie now well and truly in the balance Sirocco pressed hard for the equaliser although Bryansburn looked just as likely to increase their lead. With time running out Sirocco had two efforts, one was a dipping shot, well tipped over by Steventon and the other, needlessly volleyed over when it should at least have made Steventon work. The main difference between the sides was that Bryansburn controlled the ball better in difficult conditions and now look forward to the 2nd Round draw of the IFA’s premier competition.
Having shown what they can do against a Division 1A side Bryansburn must start to produce performances like this in the League and start moving up the table. However first they have the welcome distraction of facing Ballymacash Rangers in the IFA Intermediate Cup this Saturday.
