Bryansburn Rangers FC

The 2^nd XI hosted Ford II in the Walter Moore cup game and despite a decent performance were edged out 2-0.

Although ‘Burn were missing a number of 2^nd team regulars, those that came in settled well as the hosts had a go at their higher league opponents from the off. Flynn had the best chance of the opening exchanges, the last defender just getting enough on the ball to put him off after a fine cross from Owens. ‘Burn suffered a blow when Corr, who had been causing the Ford defence all sorts of problems, had to go off injured. Ford began to create chances and Brady had to be on his toes to keep the game scoreless. The visitors took the lead when Bryansburn lost possession on the edge of their 18-yard area, leaving an easy chance for the Ford striker. The home team thought they had equalised approaching half time when Edwards helped in an S McAllister goalward header but, to the amazement of both teams, the ref ruled it out for offside. H-T 0-1.

Bryansburn had the bit between their teeth as they searched for an equaliser. McGreevy was having a great game and was proving to be a good outlet down the right wing. Flynn was busy up front but was unable to find a finish to his good work. At the other end, the defence made some excellent last ditch stops and Brady made a couple of fine saves. But he could do nothing about Ford’s second – a break down the right ended with a shot that Brady tipped onto the bar. Unfortunately for ‘Burn, the rebound fell to the Ford striker, who nodded it home from 2 yards. ‘Burn continued to press and Kehoe had a great chance to halve the deficit and set up a tense finale, but he saw his close range effort go over the bar. A spirited performance by the 2nds, and special mention to Ferguson for a solid performance at centre half after a last minute call up. F-T 0-2.

The 3^rd XI romped to a 9-2 victory at a spirited Newtown Forest side with the home side having no answer to the veteran strike force of Cardwell and Dempster who scored eight goals between them.

The opening exchanges were tight until Dempster peeled off the back post to powerfully head home a Beattie corner. The referee then waved away penalty appeals for what looked a blatant foul on Cardwell but minutes later he did point to the spot. A flowing move carved Forest apart and as Beattie was about to shoot he was fouled. Cardwell tucked home the resultant spot-kick. The home keeper then pulled off spectacular saves to deny Gallagher and Dempster before ‘Burn made it 3-0. Dempster split the home defence with a precision ball and Cardwell ran through to round the keeper and roll the ball into the net. Newtown Forest had their best spell of the match towards half-time and were rewarded with a goal to give themselves some hope for the second half.

Bryansburn remained on top in the second half and as the game progressed became even more dominant. Goal number four came after a powerful Gallagher run and when he pulled the ball back Dempster swept in his second goal off the far post. Then Cardwell burst through and although the keeper took the sting out of his shot Dempster reached the ball before a defender to complete his hat-trick. Cardwell then duly completed his hat-trick when Beattie put him through and he made no mistake. Goal number seven soon followed. Beattie burst forward, played a one-two with Dempster to get into the box and proceeded to beat the keeper with a deft chip.

To their credit the home side battled away and latched on to a bad back pass to score a consolation. McComb limped from the fray but had an able replacement in the shape of Rea before ‘Burn gave youngsters Hanna and Patterson a run-out.

Still the scoring was not finished and Cardwell took his personal haul to five by rounding the keeper twice to score having been put through by excellent balls, which were the climax of flowing moves. Right on time teenager had the chance to make it double figures when put clean through but he failed in his attempt to lift the ball over the advancing keeper.

Excellent team performance and a great way for the 3rds to announce their return to form.

BRYANSBURN DUMPED

Bryansburn Rangers 1^st XI travelled to second placed Shankill Utd on an excellent day for playing football and ended up on the wrong side of a 5-1 drubbing. Bryansburn were missing no fewer than six players but had hoped to give a better account against a strong home side.

From the first whistle the ‘Burn back four were under extreme pressure and after four minutes the home side found themselves in front. Things got worse for the away side when Shankill scored two further goals inside the next ten minutes. Bryansburn did however create a chance after a good passing move and Keenan should have capitalised but put his shot the wrong side of the post. Shortly before the halftime whistle things got worse for ‘Burn when Shankill scored a 4^th goal.

The second half started and ‘Burn started to get back into the game with some good football yet they had only keeper Steventon to thank for a couple of great saves. Mallon scored for Bryansburn with a well-taken goal but a couple of minutes later Shankill scored a 5^th to complete the scoring.

Hopefully a number of the absentees will be available this Saturday as Bryansburn travel to Drumaness looking to earn a place in the 3^rd Round proper of the Irish Cup for the first time.