Bryansburn Rangers FC

COMFORTABLE WIN FOR BRYANSBURN

Bryansburn Under 15’s were at home to Carrick and finished 3-1 winners. ‘Burn were awarded a penalty after only nine minutes when Suonio was bought down just inside the eighteen yard box. Despite the efforts of the away camp to have the penalty ruled out thinking it was outside the box the referee was well placed and let the penalty decision stand. Neill stepped up and hit the ball straight down the middle but with the keeper diving to the right the ball found its way into the net. In the 22^nd minute Bryansburn doubled their lead. This time Neill turned provider playing a superb high ball over the Carrick defence which Murdoch followed all the way into the box and brilliantly headed home. Orr made it 3-0 following a McLarnon corner. He was well placed and virtually unmarked at the far edge of the box and when the ball fell to him he rifled a low daisy cutter which made its way through the crowded box into the corner of the goal. Just before the break the visitors pulled one back when they were allowed to run through the midfield unchallenged.

Both teams had good chances in the second half with good efforts for Bryansburn from Suonio, Murdoch, Dillon and Neill. However the game finished 3-1. “Man of the Match” goes to Pastuszak with a mention to Neill, Dillon and Orr who all had excellent games.

The 3^rd XI extended their lead at the top of the table to five points with a convincing 5-1 win at Bangor YM lll.

The Bryansburn performance in the first half was as good as they have played all season with the home side given a footballing lesson. ‘Burn continually put twenty to thirty passes together with some flowing moves that left the YM chasing shadows. Murphy in particular was in a class of his own in the centre of the park and he was well backed up by Beattie, Hardy and Shivers in the midfield area.

‘Burn took an early lead when Murphy tried his luck from thirty yards and Cardwell scored with a glancing header that gave keeper Bell no chance. Minutes later came the goal of the game. Hardy threaded a defence-splitting ball down the left channel, Dempster crossed from the by-line and Cardwell volleyed the ball home to make it 2-0. Chances continued to be created before a third goal duly arrived. Storey surged forward from defence and played Dempster in. His shot beat the keeper but as it was rolling into the empty net a defender somehow made it back to hook the ball off the line. Unfortunately for him his clearance only reached Cardwell lurking six yards out and he hammered home to complete yet another hat-trick. Bryansburn kept up the pressure but keeper Bell pulled off a couple of fine saves to keep the score at three.

The Bryansburn second half performance never scaled the same heights although they remained comfortable in control. The 4^th goal arrived courtesy of a brilliant ball from Beckett which put Cardwell clear on goal and he duly rounded the keeper for his 4^th goal of the game. Dempster was then denied a deserved goal by the legs of Bell before Cardwell missed an absolute sitter. Beckett then fed Dempster who split the defence to find Beattie and he made no mistake to make it 5-0.

To their credit YM then enjoyed their best spell of the match and keeper Brady was called upon to make three good saves in order to protect his clean sheet. At the other end substitute McGreevy was denied twice by the keeper before the home side grabbed a consolation with a header in the last minute.

So everything is going well for the 3^rd XI but a big test awaits this week in Millisle when they face second-placed Abbey Villa lll.

The 4^th XI moved two points clear at the top of their League with a 3-2 win over unbeaten Stranmillis 37^th OB ll at Ballywooley on Saturday.

Playing into the wind in the first half ‘Burn were put under early pressure but the experienced back four of Proctor, McAllister, Armstrong and Cogan dealt well with the threat and restricted the visitors to long range shots and set pieces. Bryansburn were dangerous on the break and took the lead after twenty minutes through scoring sensation Morrison with a fine shot across the keeper. Better was to come ten minutes later when the same player controlled a cross from Ferguson on his chest and fired another shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the box. Stranmillis responded and a dangerous cross from the left evaded all oncoming attackers as it went right across the goal.

‘Burn started the second half well in control but were caught by a Stranmillis break on 65 minutes when their centre forward controlled a ball in the box and finished well from close range. Ten minutes later it was 2 – 2 when another good finish made it all square. Bryansburn responded well and pressed forward. Ferguson thought he had added to his goal tally when he scored with a fine lob over the keeper but it was ruled out for offside. They were not to be denied and were rewarded when substitute Keable latched on to a through ball from McReynolds four minutes from time to finish well and give ‘Burn a lead they held on to and take all three points.