Bryansburn Rangers FC

Last Tuesday Bryansburn travelled to Billy Neil to play Donard Hospital hoping to continue on from their great performance and result at Ballynahinch three days earlier.

Donard, playing with a brisk breeze at their backs, were easily the better team and passed the ball well. With the late withdrawal of McMullan, Thompson came into Centre-half and alongside Graham was excellent and kept Donard at bay on a number of occasions.

With Donard showing most of the pressure going forward, without actually creating any chance of note, ‘Burn scored against the run of play. Bryansburn were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and up stepped Thompson to hit a cracking shot up and over the wall, which had the keeper scrambling across but he was only able to palm it into the net.

Donard continued to dominate the game and were back on top in search for the equaliser but for their endeavour there was no end product for the home side. The best chance of the half fell to McConkey who was cleverly put through by Maguire only for his shot to be hit high and wide over the bar.

‘Burn managed to see the game out to half time and went in at the break 1-0.

Bryansburn started the 2^nd half in better fashion and started to get their passing game going. With the game evenly matched now Donard were still looking dangerous especially down the left side.

Donards’ left sided player was a real handful with his direct running and in the 54^th minute Cooling was adjudged to have upended him on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick six yards out from the goal line was delivered across the box which ‘Burn failed to clear and the Donard Centre-forward was on hand to direct it into the corner of the net for a deserved equaliser.

Within five minutes of the Donard equaliser, the ‘Burn side showed a positive response having refused to sit back and try and contain the home side. Bryansburn forced a couple of corners in quick succession before a well worked rehearsed move between Chambers and McConkey saw the ball put into the box and up popped Captain Thompson for his and ‘Burn’s second rifling the ball into the roof of the net with a confident finish.

Things went from bad to worse for Donard when their very efficient Centre-half was stretchered off injured and this seems to allow ‘Burn to get on top of the game.

With Donard pressing for the equaliser ‘Burn actually looked the side with more of the goal threat. Culbert had two half chances to kill the game off but the best chance of the 2^nd half fell to McConkey after Culbert hit a snap shot which the keeper parried and if McConkey had have shown a little more composure he should killed the game off but unfortunately the chance was squandered wide of the post.

That miss subsequently did not cost the side and credit must go to Captain Thompson with not only his goals but along with the rest of the backline defensively stood firm which bodes very well for the season ahead.

The following night the 3^rd XI had a comfortable 3-0 win over Bangor Amateurs lll at Ballywooley. The Amateurs bounced a free-kick off the top of the bar early on but failed to pose much of a goal threat for the rest of the match with stand-in keeper Cole only having one save of note to make towards the end. Rea went close early on and Dempster saw a chip come back off the crossbar but the main difference between the sides was Gallagher who scored a well-taken hat-trick. His first strike midway through the first half finished off an impressive four-man move with Shivers supplying the final ball for him to hammer home from twelve yards.

This was followed up by two explosive runs in the second half and each time he kept his composure to finish well. Substitute Davison came on in the second half to make his Bryansburn comeback and was twice denied by Craig in the Amateurs goal. With Murphy and R.Thompson pulling the strings in midfield Bryansburn totally dominated the second half and really should have added to their three goals. “Man of the Match” was Gallagher for his hat-trick.

Then on Thursday at Ballywooley the 2^nd XI played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Lisburn Distillery Development squad.

Bryansburn opened their league campaign away to much fancied Ballynahinch United last Saturday and came away with a well deserved two nil win.

‘Burn started rather nervously in the opening minutes, however, the midfield partnership of the influential Maguire and McGimpsey started to stamp their authority on the game and with great passing released Mallon down the left only for his low cross to be too close to the home side’s goalkeeper.

The away side’s back line was well marshalled by young keeper Wallace who dealt comfortably with everything that was asked of him.

McConkey, playing alongside main striker Culbert, should have opened the scoring early on for Bryansburn. After great wing play from Mallon he was put through on goal but his resulting chip was deflected away for a corner.

McConkey’s League debut for Bryansburn was short lived as he had been suffering the affects of a chest affection and with his energy levels sapped he unfortunately was unable to continue and had to retire after only twenty minutes. A further blow to the visiting team was when Mallon, only five minutes later, also had to go off due to a reoccurring knee problem. The players were replaced Williams and Mills who made their competitive debuts for the Club.

In past seasons this would have disrupted the ‘Burn attack but with the new additions Bryansburn continued to control the game. The hard-working Murray burst by three Ballynahinch players to unleash a great effort only for it to go inches wide. Shortly after he had another great effort when at point blank range the keeper managed to get his body in the way and scramble the ball away. The agile keeper was in magnificent form and he continued to keep his side in the game.

Firstly from McGimpsey, back to his normal self and along with Maguire dominating the midfield, after a great move down the right by Cooling forced a corner for the away side. After a scramble in the box the home side keeper made a miraculous save to turn the ball away for another corner. A great ball in then found the head of Graham and with the ball heading into the corner of the net the keeper once again managed to get across his goal to put the ball around the post, for a save that can only be described as world class.

The second half started as the first half finished with striker Culbert using his strength on the half way line to release Mills but his effort did not trouble the home keeper.

The 1^st goal finally came when a free kick from Chambers was nodded into the path of Culbert who fired home from eighteen yards much to the delight of the away side management.

Ballynahinch came at ‘Burn but with the central defence pairing of Magee and particularly the impressive Graham standing firm denying the home side any real chances of note in the entire game.

The killer goal finally came with ten minutes left on the clock and after a few attempts from McGimpsey and Thompson the deadly Culbert slotted the ball into the net for the final score 2-0 to the away side.

Culbert was denied a hat-trick when he was put through on goal but the home keeper, in keeping with his “Man of the Match” performance got to the ball just before him to deny what would have glossed a very good performance.

When the fixtures were drawn, today’s match was always going to be a difficult and well contested affair. The management team no doubt will be happy with the result but more so in the manner in which it was earned. This very impressive team performance from Bryansburn has hopefully set the standard for the season. We only hope that the injuries picked up during the game are not too serious and the team can go into Tuesday’s game away to Donard Hospital with plenty of confidence.

Also on Saturday the 2^nd XI travelled to Bangor YM ll for a local derby that saw an emphatic and morale-boosting 6-1 win for Bryansburn.

‘Burn took an early lead through Morrison, who hit a low shot past a crowd of players into the bottom corner of the net. The second came from a well-delivered corner from McCullough that was well met by the head of S McAllister to double the lead. HT 2-0

‘Burn continued were they left off at halftime and a couple of quick-fire goals extended their lead. Peeples scored from a narrow angle at the back post and then a flowing move from the back finished with Corr playing the ball through to Kehoe who burst through the YM defence and coolly slotted past the YM keeper. An Edwards penalty and a slick finish from J McAllister made it six and YM replied with a consolation goal with ten minutes left on the clock. FT 6-1.

The 3^rd XI lost 8-3 against Agape. The game was a lot closer than the final score would suggest but ‘Burn suffered from the lack of a recognised keeper. Agape played some good football, took their goals well and certainly deserved to come out on top, just not by five goals. On target for Bryansburn were Shivers, Dempster and Cardwell.

In midweek the 2^nd XI travelled to Ballynahinch United ll. ‘Burn got off to a strong start, taking the lead fifteen minutes into the game when Edwards fired the ball into the roof of the net. However the home side battled back to equalise through a penalty and then took the lead with a well-worked move after ‘Burn lost possession. HT 1-2

Bryansburn played some good football in the 2^nd half and Edwards had several chances to restore parity for the visitors but either failed to find the target or was thwarted by the Ballynahinch keeper. The home side were always dangerous with a ball over the top and they extended their lead when their striker fired home from close range. Edwards pulled one back late on for ‘Burn but the home side held on for the win. FT 2-3

Also midweek the 3^rd XI entertained 3^rd Bangor OB and were narrowly beaten 3-2. All the goals came in the last fifteen minutes after an evenly contested first seventy-five. Cardwell opened the scoring for ‘Burn before 3^rd equalised in the 79^th minute. Within minutes Dempster put Bryansburn back in the lead from the penalty spot. 3^rd Bangor plugged away and two goals in the final five minutes put them 3-2 in front. In injury time ‘Burn were awarded a second penalty but this time Dempster’s spot kick smacked back off the crossbar.

On Tuesday the 1^st XI were away to Donard Hospital in their 2^nd League game while last night (Wed) the 3^rd XI faced Bangor Amateurs lll. Tonight (Thur) the 2^nd XI play a Lisburn Distillery Development Squad while the other three teams train as normal.

On Saturday the 1^st XI travel to Dromara Village in the 1^st Round of the Steel & Sons Cup. The 2^nd XI are at home to a Bangor Rangers side. The 3^rd XI entertain Newtown Forest while the 4^th XI play their first friendly when they travel to Newtown Forest ll for a 12 noon kick-off.