Bryansburn Rangers FC

Bryansburn Rangers hosted League-leaders and fellow title challengers Dundonald at Ballywooley last Saturday and it was the away side who came away with a 4-2 victory to put a dent in the home sides push for promotion.

Dundonald won the toss and chose to play with the strong wind at their backs and this was a decision that in hindsight impacted most on how the game panned out.

Bryansburn during the early exchanges looked to be on the back foot but still looked comfortable dealing with the Dundonald attacks until a needless challenge by Maitland who barged into the back of Chambers in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The penalty was rifled into the corner giving Steventon no chance.

Worse was to follow minutes later when the Right Fullback of Dundonald was given too much time and space to send a pinpoint cross to the back post and after the first headed effort by Chambers was brilliantly cleared off the line by Magee, Matthews for Dundonald reacted quicker to head the ball back into the gaping net and Bryansburn were on the rack.

‘Burn started to come to life and a great ball by Coard released Tumelty one on one with the keeper but the visitor’s keeper stood firm saving the ball with his legs. Minutes later the same player had another great effort but once again it was the same outcome.

A third goal for Dundonald looked on the cards as they tried to finish the half strongly and a wind assisted deflected shot from wide left rifled past Steventon only for it to somehow bounce off the crossbar and S Barr put it away for safety.

The 3^rd and decisive goal eventually came when after a great tackle on the edge of the box by Graham the ball fell to the young midfielder of Dundonald who swung his right boot at it and gave Steventon no chance as it hit the top corner of the net to leave the half time score 0-3.

What a difference the halftime team talk made and within minutes of the restart Bryansburn were on the attack and it was evident that the Fullbacks of Bryansburn were now asking questions of the visiting team. After two quick corners in succession, a 3^rd corner was awarded in the 51^st minute which was whipped in and half cleared into the path of Tumelty who was lurking at the edge of the box and he blasted an unstoppable shot through a crowd of players into the net to give Bryansburn the perfect start to the 2^nd half.

Dundonald now had their backs against the wall, and the home side, with the wind at their back, penned them in as they went in search for a quick 2^nd goal. After a few long range efforts the 2^nd goal came on 58 minutes when Tumelty again struck a venomous shot from distance but the keeper could only parry into the path of Thompson who slid it into the net much to the delight of the home side supporters.

Dundonald were clearly rattled by the comeback and the comeback was near complete when Thompson rose unmarked from a corner to power in a header but the Dundonald defender on the post somehow headed it off the line via the cross bar and out for safety.

Disappointingly Bryansburn failed to capitalise on this and this chance that came and went seem to deflate the home side and from then the visitors slowing battled their way back into the game.

Bryansburn, only showing glimpses of attack, were now being matched all around the park and the final nail in the coffin arrived on four minutes from time when Dundonald broke away and scored a controversial 4^th goal to more or less kill the game. The ‘Burn players stopped waiting for the referee to blow for a foul but the whistle never came and they broke down the left and the winger checked inside and crossed the ball for an easy finish for Chambers and send Dundonald to a resounding victory.

The league table does not lie but even though Dundonald have picked up maximum points from the two games against Bryansburn there is still reason for optimism that the chance of promotion is far from over. Now fourteen points behind but with four games in hand all eyes will be on Dundonald who play title rivals Newcastle back to back the next two Saturdays. So although it is out of ‘Burn’s hands at present it is possible that there will be more twists and turns from now until the end of the season.

The 2^nd XI continued their climb up the Division 3C table travelling to League-leaders Nortel ll, unbeaten at home this season, and returning with a resounding 4-0 victory.

‘Burn started the game well and had Nortel pinned back from the off as neat passing from the back through the midfield to the front two had the home side all over the place. The first chance of the half fell to Captain Thompson when he headed a great Lemon corner against the bar. ‘Burn were in total control and should have taken the lead when Morrison failed to beat the keeper from inside the box. Thompson, again, found a bit of space from a corner but fired his shot wide of the post.
The Bryansburn defence was capable of dealing with anything Nortel could muster going forward and with the midfield well on top there was plenty of service to the front two who were running the back four ragged. Despite this the half finished with the game still goal-less.
After an inspiring halftime team talk by Edwards, ‘Burn came out for the second half a duly wrapped the game up within fifteen minutes. The opener came when Morrison latched onto a long ball and fired an unstoppable volley right into the top corner. The second came again from the talented Morrison who outpaced the Nortel back four and from a tight angle stroked a sweet strike into the roof of the net.
The lead was extended further with a great team effort as ‘Burn played the ball out from the back through the midfield and when Morrison flicked on to the incoming Thompson he hit a great first time effort into the net.
The visitors then made a few changes with Edwards and McCullough coming on and the scoring was complete after good work down the right from Cunningham and Kehoe carried on by Edwards who switched the play to Storey and he went on a mazy run from his own half all the way into the Nortel box before scoring with a sublime finish.
Manager Edwards was delighted with the team performance as everyone was outstanding and hopes they can carry this into this week’s big game against East Belfast ll at Ballywooley.

The 3^rd XI turned in a scintillating second half performance to hammer Comber Rec lll 6-1 at Parkway Comber.

The home side made the better start and forced one smart save from Andrews before ‘Burn began to get into the game. However once they got a foothold they caused Comber loads of problems without actually carving out too many chances. Gallagher had a rasping 25-yard drive tipped over but the only other opportunities of note fell to McComb at corners but his shots were comfortable for the keeper. With Murphy and Rea running the midfield, Gallagher marauding down the left flank and the experienced front pairing of Cardwell and Dempster pulling the Rec back four all over the place there was no doubt who was on top with the home side bickering amongst them selves. However despite their dominance and the backing of a strong wind the game remained scoreless at the break.

Bryansburn could not have made a worse start to the second half as Comber Rec broke the deadlock after a 0ne-two on the edge of the box and a good volleyed finish. ‘Burn now looked to be up against it trailing by 1-0 and against the wind. Patterson went close with a low shot just wide of the post but no-one could have guessed what was to come as Bryansburn ripped the home side apart with some brilliant football and banged in five goals in the space of fifteen minutes.

Firstly Beckett released Dempster on the left flank and he made it to the by-line, cut in and crossed for Rea to head home the equaliser. Minutes later Cardwell pounced on a loose ball in the box to stab home and the visitors’ were in the lead. Murphy then caught the home defence sleeping with a quickly taken free-kick and Rea reached it before the advancing keeper to walk it round him and roll the ball home. A good team goal followed with Rea playing Cardwell in down the inside right channel and he crossed for Gallagher to hammer home from close range. Rea then completed his first ever hat-trick for Bryansburn with a superb header after a great run and cross from Gallagher down the left. From trailing 1-0 Bryansburn were now 5-1 up and the game was over. ‘Burn proceeded to stroke the ball about with some great possession football.

Subs Speers and White were given an extended run in place of the hard-working Patterson and hat-trick hero Rea. Comber brought on a couple of experienced players but despite carving out a couple of chances they failed to hit the target. The goal of the game was saved to last. McComb played Cardwell in down the middle and as two defenders tried to challenge he bent the ball into the top corner with the outside of his boot from 25 yards.

The game then petered out with the home side well beaten and Bryansburn were left to reflect on a terrific second half showing. Good team performance with the “Man of the Match” award deservedly going to Rea on a rare appearance.

The 4^th XI held Rosemount Rec ll to a creditable 2-2 draw at Ballywooley.

In what was a very even match throughout, Rosemount struck first with a good free-kick to their striker who used his superior height to power the ball into the net. ‘Burn kept battling and were rewarded when Surgenor scored his first goal for the Club. After a good cross from Jeffers, he struck the ball into the bottom corner of the net to equalise.
The second half started well from a home perspective. A long throw from Jeffers was headed home by Taylor, which was also his first goal for Bryansburn. Rosemount kept pressing and in a goalmouth scramble Taylor handled the ball on the line and the resultant penalty was scored to make it 2-2. Rosemount nearly pinched a winner but for a great save in the last minute.

Fixtures this Saturday: 1^st XI V Ballynahinch United (a) in the 4^th Round of the Clarence Cup, 2^nd XI V East Belfast ll (h), 3^rd XI V 3^rd Bangor OB (a) and 4^th XI V Brentwood ll (h).

Please note two dates for your diary. A Nite at the Races has been organised for the Rose on Saturday 24^th April and the Annual Dinner and Awards Night will be in the Marine Court Hotel on Friday 14^th May. Tickets for both events are currently on sale from Alan Dempster.

Bryansburn Rangers travelled to fellow title challengers Newcastle on Saturday for a crucial game that will go a long way towards deciding the places at the end of the season. With Dundonald leading ‘Burn by eleven points with four games extra played and Newcastle having an extra nine points with Bryansburn three games in hand the importance of the game could not be overstated. As it was Bryansburn put in one of their best performances of the season to comprehensively outplay their hosts and deservedly return with all three points.

Kane, Murray and McConkey were all unavailable, as was the suspended S.Barr but Bryansburn have a much stronger squad this season and were still able to parade a strong lineout.

‘Burn took command from the start and Coard soon released Tumelty but the keeper saved with his legs. Minutes later Tumelty was again on target, this time from a 25-yard free-kick but the home keeper was again up to the task. Then Thompson powered a header just over the bar from a corner. The deadlock was finally broken in the 23^rd minute. Culbert sent Tumelty scampering down the left flank and after skinning the Fullback he crossed low for Malomo-Paris to turn the ball in at the back post. The goal was no more then ‘Burn had deserved and they should have doubled their lead in the 27^th minute when Magee latched on to the end of a Coard free-kick only for the keeper to save his volley with his legs. ‘Burn remained on top with Tumelty in particular causing the home defence all kinds of problems.

Then, completely against the run of play, Newcastle equalised with their first shot on goal in the 34^th minute. A long throw into the Bryansburn box was flicked up in the air and with Maitland a shade too late in closing the ball down it was volleyed home from twelve yards.

Undeterred Bryansburn continued to dominate with Maguire, Coard and Thompson instrumental in the middle of the park, continually getting the ball down and playing some great football on the deck. This was in complete contrast to their counterparts who preferred to lift hoof the ball in the air towards their front two who got no change from the back four of Cooling, Maitland, Magee and Graham all of whom were outstanding.

Malomo-Paris was unfortunate with a mazy run just before the break and the keeper smothered the ball at the second attempt but the only question being asked at halftime was how were Bryansburn not winning the game after such a dominant half. HT 1-1

Five minutes into the second period Barr replaced Malomo-Paris and this was to prove an inspired substitution as he went on to lead the Newcastle defenders a merry dance for the rest of the half as well as being brought down by fouls time and time again. Cooling made two tremendous runs down the right flank but unfortunately the final balls into the box did not match the quality of the football that preceded them.

Newcastle then put together their best attacking move of the match but young Cooling made a tremendous clearing header from under his own crossbar to put the ball out for a corner when two players were lined up at the back post looking certain to score. Cooling was having a great game at both ends of the pitch and two minutes later he was upended in the home box but the referee waved away all claims for a penalty.

What turned out to be the winning goal arrived in the 64^th minute. Graham caught Newcastle out with a quickly taken throw, Tumelty hooked the ball over his shoulder high into the box and Barr held off the challenge of a defender to head into the bottom corner.

Fifteen minutes from time Thompson headed a Coard free-kick just wide of the upright before the home side had their first attempt on goal of the second half but the ball hit the side netting. Despite not looking like scoring, Newcastle did come into the game a bit and this prompted the introduction of McGimpsey for Thompson in the 82^nd minute. Newcastle probed away but sterling work from Cooling and Graham in particular meant that there was no way through. ‘Burn should have sealed the points five minutes from the end. Cooling played Barr in down the right flank and he fired over a superb cross that Culbert headed across the face of goal. As the game entered the last couple of minutes Morrison replaced Tumelty as ‘Burn reverted to a 4-4-2 formation to see the game out.

The only criticism of Bryansburn in this game is that they failed to kill the game off despite dominating the entire ninety minutes and in the final minute they could have paid the price. The referee awarded Newcastle a dubious corner and when the ball was fired in their no8 lost his marker and powered home a header from six yards out only to see Steventon pull off an unbelievable save. That was only Newcastle’s second shot on target and testimony that the points were deservedly going to the Bangor-West side.

There was still time for one of the misses of the season three minutes into injury time. A poor back-pass put the Newcastle keeper under pressure and he kicked the ball against the incoming Culbert. It hit him on the chest and rebounded back past the keeper leaving Culbert with an open goal but somehow he rolled the ball wide. Fortunately it did not matter as the final whistle went seconds later to give Bryansburn’s title challenge a deserved boost.

This was a great team performance with every man playing his part. There were sterling performances from Cooling, Coard and Thompson throughout, a blistering first half from Tumelty and an equally inspired second half from Barr. Special mention to keeper Steventon who, despite having virtually nothing to do all game, pulled off a wonder save when it really mattered at the end.

This Saturday Bryansburn will be in action in the 3^rd Round of the Clarence Cup but all eyes will be on the Billy Neil PF where Dundonald entertain Newcastle in Division 1B meaning that at least one and possibly both of ‘Burn’s rivals will drop points.

Fixtures this Saturday: 1^st XI V Lisburn Rangers (a), 2^nd XI V Sirocco Works ll (h), 3^rd XI V Ravenhill YM (a) and 4^th XI V Agape ll (h).