Bryansburn Rangers FC

‘BURN GO DOWN AT HOME

With the 1^st XI game against Civil Service off, the focus turned to Bryansburn 2^nd XI who travelled to Monkstown to play 18^th Newtownabbey OB ll on a day of almost perfect playing conditions.

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides working their socks off and as a result chances were few and far between during the opening twenty minutes. Then the home side got a break and took the lead from it. A free-kick deflected off the Bryansburn wall and the Newtownabbey striker was in the right place to nod home from close range. Bryansburn’s best chances of the half came from set plays when McCullough delivered a number of excellent crosses but good defending kept ‘Burn scoreless. The game was spoiled when 18^th extended their lead with a goal that ‘Burn were aggrieved to have stood. Keeper Magee had the ball in his hands and was fouled by the opposing striker, forcing him to drop the ball. The home ref inexplicably did not blow for a foul and the striker tapped home. H-T 2-0.

Bryansburn made a couple of changes at half time and turned their sense of injustice into some good play. They pulled a goal back not long into the half. Kehoe made an excellent run down the left flank and crossed into the area. The keeper was favourite for the ball but Edwards’ closing down made him spill it and Edwards punished him for the mistake by firing home from close range. ‘Burn dominated possession for the next fifteen minutes of the half but failed to turn this into an equaliser.

Then the home side broke ‘Burn spirits with a goal that the ref saw differently to the rest of the ground. Their striker, who looked well offside, was not penalised and he went on to slot the ball into the net. They followed this up with an easy goal as ‘Burn tried to push up to get back into the game and were caught on the counter attack. They completed the scoring with a penalty, the ref rubbing salt into the wound by allowing the home striker in the lead up to the goal to play on from a seemingly clear offside position.

Bryansburn were understandably frustrated that the refereeing in this game spoiled what would have been a competitive and keenly contested game. F-T 5-1.

The 3^rd XI extended their lead at the top of the League to five points with a convincing 7-1 win at Stranmillis 37^th OB.

The home side made the more promising start but despite some encouraging approach play failed to carve out any clear-cut chances. ‘Burn took the lead with their first attack of any note when Cardwell hooked a long ball across goal for Cairnduff to finish at the back post. Minutes later the same two players combined with Cairnduff again finishing from close range to make it 2-0. Dempster headed a Beattie corner inches wide before goal number three arrived. Gallagher made a tremendous run down the left flank leaving players in his wake only for his cross to be cut out by the keeper. However 37^th failed to clear and Gallagher pounced on the loose ball and kept his head to finish well. The game was virtually over on the half-hour mark when a superb ball from Beattie put Cardwell through and he rounded the keeper to make it 4-0. The home side were shell-shocked as they had not actually been that bad but salt was rubbed in the wounds when Cardwell swivelled on the edge of the box and his shot took a deflection and looped over the stranded keeper. With Murphy and Beattie now in total control in the midfield a devastated home side were lucky to keep the score at five until the break. At the other end they did put together a few useful attacks but solid defensive work from Hardy and McComb kept them at bay.

Compared to the first the second half was somewhat of an anti-climax. ‘Burn remained on top but did not produce the same momentum as in the first with the football not flowing as well. ‘Burn did miss a few chances to extend their lead but the better opportunities began to come at the other end. Twice attackers broke through with just keeper Brady to beat but twice he pulled off tremendous saves to protect his goal. However the warning signs were not heeded and 37^th scored a deserved consolation with a dipping shot from outside the box.

At least the goal woke Bryansburn up and they lifted their game again for the closing stages. No fewer than three efforts were cleared off the line and the keeper made one terrific save before Cardwell completed his fourth hat-trick in succession. Still the scoring was not complete and substitute Flynn scored from close range to make it 7-1 in the final minute.

Bryansburn 4^th XI also moved top of their League, albeit with an extra game played, after completing the double over Comber Star ll winning 4-1 at Dairyhall.

‘Burn started where they left off the previous week and dominated the early play creating several chances. The opening goal duly arrived with veteran Kerr rising like a salmon to powerfully head home a cross from Coard after twenty minutes. Five minutes later it was 2-0 when teenager Morrison fired home from an acute angle to record his second goal in as many games. ‘Burn failed to capitalise on this good start and Comber came more into the match but Burn’s back four dealt confidently with the threat with young Jones outstanding and goalkeeper Magennis dealing with anything that got through to keep the score 2-0 at half time.

The second half was competitive but Bryansburn made the game safe halfway through when Coard superbly back-heeled a cross over the goalkeeper to extend the lead. Keable replaced the hard-working Patterson and he put the icing on the cake by taking the ball round the keeper to slot home the fourth goal. From the kick off though, Burn went to sleep and the Comber winger got clear down the left to send in a cross, which looped into the top corner for a fluke goal. The final score was 4 – 1 to move Bryansburn into an unexpected position at the top of the table.

The only disappointment was to find that the changing rooms at Dairyhall had been ransacked during the match and several players lost valuables. Other teams please note – this is not the first time this has happened at Dairyhall.

Bryansburn Under 15’s were at home to Crumlin and lost 4-3. On a wet and blustery day this was never going to be a tidy game of football however both teams endeavoured to keep the ball on the ground and despite conditions some excellent football was played. With the wind in Bryansburn’s favour during the first half they finished 2-0 up with an excellent brace from Murphy.

Within three minutes of the restart Crumlin had levelled the score taking full advantage of a strong wind which was now in their favour. After 55 minutes the visitors took the lead when they beat the offside trap. With only five minutes remaining Bryansburn were awarded a penalty after Murphy was elbowed in the face. Neill coolly despatched of the subsequent spot kick to level the scores at 3-3. However one minute later Hughes found himself picking the ball out of the back of the net for a fourth time.

“Man of the Match” for Bryansburn was Orr and mention also go to Neill and Dillon .

Bryansburn Under 10’s off and Flying

The final 10-0 score does not reflect how organised and together the youngest Bryansburn team actually played in their first competitive game.

The match started and within minutes Kerry rounded two defenders and slotted the ball into the top corner. Bryansburn continued to pressure and within ten minutes Kerry had completed his hat trick. Bryansburn’s defence was like a brick wall with nothing getting through and anything that did was quickly cleared by Williams or Wilson. Midfielders Aldworth, Duffy (Man of the Match), Brown and

J.Wilson were solid as a rock with Aldworth and J.Wilson scoring a goal each.

In the second half Bryansburn continued as they did in the first and substitute Connell got himself on the score-sheet. At this stage the team were oozing confidence and Collins hit two with Kerry adding another couple to his tally with Reid setting up his last. Final Score Bryansburn 10 Loughside 0.

The under 10’s continue to grow and hopefully will continue to play some fantastic football. Well done boys…….