Bryansburn Rangers FC

Bryansburn Rangers had a comfortable although unconvincing 2-1 win over Newtownards side 1^st Bangor OB in a Division 1B League encounter.

Following heavy overnight rain, which left the playing surface a bit greasy, Bryansburn started brightly enough with both McConkey and Tumelty leading the 1^st Bangor defence a merry dance but despite enumerable shots at goal, all attempts to really test the ‘keeper were to no avail as most sailed harmlessly wide or over the bar. Thankfully, 1^st posed no great threat themselves resulting in a goal-less first half with only ex Bryansburn starlet Ennis putting in some powerful runs on the right for 1^st.

Bryansburn got the second period off to a great start when yet another mazy run from McConkey set up Culbert to hit the target from close range. Fifteen minutes into the half Bryansburn should have had the match well sewn up in the space of three minutes. First, Tumelty jinked his way through the 1^st defence but when faced with the ‘keeper from six yards out somehow managed to tamely poke the ball into the custodian’s hands. A minute later, Culbert stormed his way along the six yard line but was tripped when about to pull the trigger. Unfortunately the referee was on the blind side of the incident and waved play on and then unbelievably, Tumelty again found himself face to face with the ‘keeper and yet again harmlessly poked the ball into the ‘keeper’s hands.

When you miss chances like this you deserve to be punished and that is just what happened. 1^st made a quick break on the right but as Steventon went wide to narrow the angle, a cute lob left him in no mans land as the ball sailed over his head and into the net for the equaliser. However, midway through the half Tumelty again wriggled clear but before he could get in his shot, hopefully this time with a bit more power, he was pulled down leaving Culbert the task of hammering in the spot kick.

With fifteen minutes to go 1^st were reduced to ten men when Magee had to be carried off, victim of a crude, dangerous tackle. However, the ten men of 1^st seemed more able to use the ball and the space better in the remaining time and held out comfortably but before the end there was yet another moment of madness. The 1^st ‘keeper accepted a pass back from one full back and whilst trying to play the ball with his feet across to the other full back, he misread his angle and it took a last gasp desperate lunge to hook the ball off the goal line.

Although it was another three points for Bryansburn, the news from Dundonald was a 2-1 win against Shorts leaving Bryansburn still twelve points adrift from the top, albeit with four games in hand.

Bryansburn 2^nd XI’s trip to Shorts FC ll was called off due to a burst water pipe meaning that they still have a massive eleven League games to play in the last month of the season.

The 3^rd XI had a 3-2 win over Ballygowan, which was more comfortable than the final score suggests.

The first half was one-way traffic as ‘Burn gave Ballygowan a footballing lesson. Bryansburn took an early lead when Beattie split the defence and Dempster scored with a cross-cum-shot to settle the nerves. A second goal soon followed with Thompson flicking a ball from Beckett past ex-Burn player Baillie in the Ballygowan nets. Dempster then played a one-two with Beattie and although his low shot beat the keeper a covering defender managed to clear the ball off the line. ‘Burn were pushing the ball about well all around the pitch but on one occasion were too casual at the back but a forward shot over the bar. Ballygowan did get a foothold in the match when a corner was not cleared and they reduced the deficit.

However minutes later the two-goal advantage was restored when Edwards volleyed a Beattie cross home at the back post. After that the only surprise was that the score remained 3-1 at the interval. ‘Burn attacked at will with Ballygowan chasing shadows and only some good goalkeeping and bad luck prevented a rout.

The second half was a different story as a spirited Ballygowan side battled to the end. They created and missed numerous chances before a good header gave Andrews no chance to pull the score back to 3-2.

At the other end ‘Burn did have their chances to kill the game off. Murphy headed against the bar before Edwards set Cardwell up six yards out but the keeper saved with his legs. Then substitute Flynn stormed through the middle but his drive just cleared the crossbar.

The problem with not finding the 4^th goal was that Ballygowan were in with a chance of snatching a point right up to the final whistle. However, ‘Burn held out comfortably enough although based on their first half superiority they should never have been in the position of defending a one goal cushion late in the game.

The 4^th XI had a comfortable 4-0 win at Agape ll in the Tommy Murphy Memorial shield.

Goals from Patterson and Jeffers in the first twenty minutes put ‘Burn in the driving seat. McAllister then added a third before half time. Agape improved in the second half creating some chances, which were capably dealt with by goalkeeper Geddis. Their cause was not helped however when they had a player somewhat harshly sent off. Even so, Agape continued to press and were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box. Geddis however produced a fine save to maintain the three goal cushion. Bryansburn raised their game again and pressure from Turnbull led to an Agape defender pushing the ball into his own net. Alex Jones came on at the back for the last ten minutes to partner son Kris and ‘Burn comfortably saw out the remainder of the match. 

Tonight the 3^rd XI entertain Ravenhill YM at Ballywooley, kick-off 6.15pm while training is as normal for the other three senior teams.

On Saturday: 1^st XI V Civil Service (a), 2^nd XI V Drumaness Mills ll (h), 3^rd XI V Ballygowan (a) and 4^th XI V Corrymeela ll (h).

The next social function is a “Nite at the Races” in the Rose on Saturday 24^th April so please keep that night free. Horses are now on sale – please see Alan Dempster. Tickets are available for that event and also for the Annual Dinner and Awards Night in the Marine Court Hotel on Friday 21^st May. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come basis. Tickets are £25 – again see Alan Dempster.

Bryansburn Rangers travelled to Dunmurry YM last Saturday and despite an unconvincing performance came away with a 3-1 win.

The away side came flying out of the blocks and were unlucky not to go ahead after great work by Malomo-Paris. The opening goal did arrive moments later after great play by Maguire who fed the ball for Culbert to side foot into the corner of the net.

The home side rallied quickly and found themselves back in the game when the referee gave a very dubious penalty much to the disbelief of both teams and supporters. ‘Burn upped their game but some very poor passing and finishing left the scores level at halftime.

After a few harsh words from the Management Team at halftime the visitors almost scored straight from the kick off only for the home keeper to deny Tumelty. Moments later the same player rifled one from the edge of the box into the bottom corner only for the referee to signal offside ruling that Culbert had got the final touch.

The YM started to get on top of the game and only great defending and goalkeeping from Steventon kept them at bay. Twenty minutes from time Tumelty scored his 17^th of the season to put Bryansburn in front after great play from Cooling and Coard down the right hand side.

Again the home side came back at ‘Burn and only great defending and goal-line clearances from Cooling and Rick Barr kept the away side 2-1 to the good.

Shortly before the final whistle, after a long throw from McGimpsey, Culbert used his strength to hold off a Dunmurry player and he turned and smashed the ball into the bottom corner to leave the final score 3-1.

Not a great performance but another three points and with Newcastle drawing against Dundonald its all to play for as Bryansburn are still in the promotion mix with eight games remaining, seven of which are at home.

The 3rds pulled off a remarkable win against Comber YM in the Supplementary Cup fighting back from 4-1 down to take the tie to extra time before eventually winning on penalties.

‘Burn actually made a bright start and took a deserved lead when Cardwell capitalised on a poor defensive header to run through and drill the ball under the advancing keeper. The visitors could then have doubled their lead when Corr took a quick free-kick and the Comber keeper denied Dempster with a superb save.

However after that it was the YM who took over. They played a very direct but effective game and ‘Burn had no answer to it. They quickly equalised scrambling the ball home from a corner, took the lead minutes later when a forward was first to the second ball and by the time they added a third goal were well on top. ‘Burn struggled to get the ball down and play with only Corr providing much threat and Bryansburn were perhaps fortunate to be only 3-1 down at the break.

The second half did not start any better with Brady having to make one great save before Comber made it 4-1 with the ball going straight in from a corner. With the tie all but over a change in tactics saw Right-back Cole withdrawn in favour of Edwards up front as ‘Burn switched from a 4-4-2 formation to 3-4-3. Suddenly Bryansburn were having more joy as Comber struggled to pick players up and ‘Burn aided by the instrumental Murphy began to get the ball down and play. With Beckett bombing down the left there was now a belief that the game was not yet over.

On the hour mark Dempster turned his man thirty yards out and threaded a precision ball to Thompson who took one touch and fired home to make it 4-2. Six minutes later it was game on as a flowing six man move ended with Corr rifling the ball into the top corner from just outside the box. The momentum was now totally with Bryansburn with Comber looking a shadow of the team that had controlled the first half. Corr and Cardwell went close before the equaliser duly arrived in the 78^th minute. Again it was a flowing move with the ball finally finding Lemon at the corner of the box and he drilled a low effort into the bottom corner.

Bryansburn pushed forward trying to finish the game within the ninety minutes but their hopes took a blow when they were reduced to ten men. Suddenly it was a case of making sure that the tie did go to extra time and they held on despite a late Comber rally.

With twenty minutes extra time to come ‘Burn abandoned the three at the back policy because of having a man less and reverted to a 4-4-1 formation, Peeples coming on at the back to replace Dempster up front. The idea was to hold on for penalties. The tactic worked well because although ‘Burn never looked like scoring neither did Comber. As time ticked away ‘Burn had two lucky escapes. Firstly a free-kick struck the outside of the post and then a Comber forward beat the offside and lobbed the advancing Brady only to see the ball drop just over the crossbar.

Disaster struck with two minutes remaining when the referee awarded a penalty against Peeples, which was duly despatched. Comber thought they had won the tie but Jones immediately replaced Cardwell and Peeples was sent up front to try and redeem himself and that is exactly what he did turning the ball in from twelve yards to make it 5-5. Straight away he was back in defence as ‘Burn made sure that they did not throw the game away after so much hard work.

So to the shoot-out with regular penalty taker Dempster and his deputy Cardwell both off the pitch. However it did not matter as Bryansburn scored all five penalties while Comber put one of their four wide. On target were Corr, Edwards, Lemon and Peeples with Murphy hitting the winning kick.

Very poor first half but a scintillating comeback with a Quarterfinal tie against either Ballygowan or Newtown Forest the reward. Best for Bryansburn was Corr.

The 4^th XI travelled to Stranmillis 37^th OB ll for a Tommy Murphy Memorial Shield match and drew 3-3.

‘Burn made a great start going 2-0 up in the first ten minutes through J.Geddis and Jeffers. The home side then worked their way back into the match and it was no surprise when their Centre-forward fired high into the net after half an hour to reduce the deficit. They continued to look the more likely to score but it looked like Bryansburn would take their lead into the interval when a corner on the stroke of half time was handled in the box and the resultant penalty was duly dispatched to level the scores.

37th continued the second half where they left off and took the lead twenty minutes in when a half cleared corner was hooked back over goalkeeper Geddis for a fine goal. ‘Burn improved after this with chances falling to Taylor and Patterson but with time running out it looked like the equaliser would not come. However, a couple of minutes from the end, sub Crawley was fouled just outside the box and Jeffers stepped up to curl a lovely free kick into the top corner off the crossbar to leave the final score 3 all.

Fixtures this Saturday: 1^st V 1^st Bangor OB (h), 2^nd XI V Shorts FC ll (a), 3^rd XI V Ballygowan (h) and 4^th XI V Agape ll (a)

The next social function is a “Nite at the Races” in the Rose on Saturday 24^th April so please keep that night free. Horses are now on sale – please see Alan Dempster. Tickets are available for that event and also for the Annual Dinner and Awards Night in the Marine Court Hotel in May. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come basis. Again see Alan Dempster.