Bryansburn Rangers FC

Bryansburn Rangers 1^st XI travelled to Premier Division Drumaness Mills hoping to cause an upset and book a place in the 3^rd Round of the Irish Cup but it was not to be as the home side emerged victorious by four goals to one.

‘Burn made a nervous opening and conceded a free-kick just outside the box in the opening minute. The kick hit the wall but despite plenty of chances to clear the danger the ball was eventually scrambled in. Drumaness had adapted an usual 3-4-3 formation and the signs were that the Bryansburn players were struggling to cope with their tactics. In the 17^th minute ‘Burn had a glorious chance to equalise when Culbert received the ball two yards out with his back to goal but only managed to hook it over the bar. That miss proved costly as shortly after Drumaness doubled their advantage. This time the home side scored direct from a free-kick on the edge of the area with keeper Steventon perhaps disappointed that he was unable to turn the ball round the post.

Midway through the half Coard whipped in a corner and Shanks had a free header but failed to make contact and the chance went begging. Things got worse when Drumaness made it 3-0 just before the break. A runner was clearly three yards offside but although the referee put his whistle to his mouth he decided to wave play on and a low cross provided a simple tap-in at the back post.

In the second half ‘Burn eventually got their game in order and dealt much better with the home side’s formation. Marking was much tighter and the visitors had the better of the exchanges. Bryansburn were rewarded for their much more enterprising play with a goal. Substitute Cooling, who had made a number of good runs down the right, put in a great ball to the front post where Culbert laid it off for Shanks to score with a left-footed shot across the keeper.

Bryansburn continued to press and had the Premier League side on the back foot for long periods only for the killer fourth goal to arrive when the home no7 out-jumped Keenan to head into the box where a striker was on hand to finish.

Too often ‘Burn have given sides a one goal start and they cannot keep doing this if they hope to salvage anything out of this season. Now the side must pick themselves up for this weeks 2^nd Round Intermediate Cup tie way to Malachians.

BRYANSBURN CONTINUE WINNING RUN

Bryansburn Under 15’s racked up another three points this time at the expense of St Mary’s. Three goals from Murdoch and one a piece from Dillon and Neill guaranteed the win. McLarnon set up the first with excellent work down the right side, he pinged in a cross and Dillon instinctively got in front of his marker to side foot home from close range.

St Mary’s were no pushover and quickly equalised from a well-worked corner. Bryansburn were caught sleeping leaving a man totally unmarked on the edge of the 18-yard area and when the ball was played straight to him he fired past a crowed box. Murdoch restored the home team’s lead when he was sent racing towards goal and coolly slipped the ball past the approaching keeper. Just before the break Jamison put Murdoch through again and he drove home a shot from some 20 yards.

The visitors manager clearly demanded an improved performance during the interval and 15 minutes into the into the second half they pulled another back when Bryansburn again failed to pick up and close down a free man on the edge of the box. However five minutes later Neil’s spectacular shot from 25 yards out looped over St Mary’s defence and found the very top corner leaving Bryansburn’s supporters applauding and St Mary’s gasping in awe. Another marvellous goal for Willie to add to his list. Victory was assured 5 minutes from the end when Suonio played the ball to Murdoch who netted to make the final score 5-2.

This was a fine team performance from every Bryansburn player, Neil, Dillon, Suonio, Jamison and Orr all get special mentions but man of the match goes to Murdoch for yet another hat-trick.