Bryansburn Rangers FC

Bryansburn 1^st XI made the long trek to Rathfriland Rangers on Saturday hoping to continue their great run of form in the league but although remaining unbeaten they dropped two points despite a decent enough performance.

Bryansburn were without Barr, Murray and McConkey from the team that defeated Orangefield a week earlier with Tumelty and Morrison both drafted in and from the outset they took the game to Rathfriland.

Rathfriland, playing very defensively with five across the middle, were out to contain Bryansburn and their game plan was clearly working as ‘Burn, although having plenty of possession, were failing to find the telling pass to open the rear guard of the home defence.

Tumelty and young Morrison in particular both making their first starts for the side were working extremely hard and with Tumelty’s direct running from Morrison’s clever passing they both caused the home defence havoc all afternoon.

Clear-cut chances in the first half were kept to a minimum with two chances of note falling to Culbert and Malomo-Paris. The first chance came about when two Rathfriland defenders collided and Culbert picked the ball up but unfortunately struggled to get his shot off under pressure from the covering defender. The best chance of the half fell to Malomo Paris after a terrific cross from Graham picked him out but somehow he failed to get any touch on the ball and the chance went flashing past him when the faintest of touches would have opened the scoring.

Half time 0-0

Malomo-Paris was to redeem himself two minutes into the 2^nd half when he finished off a great team goal. The ball started off down the left hand side and after great switch play the ball found its way to Cooling who was in an advanced position wide right and he skipped by the defender and pulled back a great cross to Malomo-Paris who had peeled off his marker to unleash and unstoppable shot to give Bryansburn the perfect start to the 2^nd half.

Bryansburn continued to play some great passing football and at times it was pleasing on the eye but their lack of urgency to make the penetrating pass forward and push for the 2^nd goal was to cost them dearly. On 70 minutes Rathfriland with their only attack of the whole game broke down the left side and with only one Rathfriland attacker in the box the ball was delivered in only to find it loop up over the stranded Doran for what was clearly a fluke goal.

Bryansburn responded well and began to bombard the Rathfriland defence. Culbert who surprisingly had an off day found himself clear just outside the box and although he should have pushed on into the box to make the chance easier he chose to have a snapshot which was rushed and the chance came and went.

The best chance of the game fell to Tumelty when the keeper spilt Maguire’s long-range effort but Tumelty’s follow up shot went wide of the mark.

The keeper came to the home sides rescue again with McGimpsey curling a great effort from the left but the keeper was equal to it as he tipped the ball over for one of many corners to the visiting team.

Morrison also had a close range effort which he should have converted but it was just one of those days when the winning goal did not materialise and the game finished 1-1.

Bryansburn can take a lot of heart and praise from the performance today and although it merited the three points, if they are to be considered a top four side then they are going to have to learn to kill teams off as no team can be taken lightly in this division.

The 2nds returned to league action against top-of-the-table Nortel ll and in a keenly contested contest were edged out 1-0.

The visitors, assisted by a strong wind, had the majority of possession and territory in the first half and their best chance came when their centre half headed against the post from a corner. ‘Burn were limited to the counter attack but created three excellent chances from them. J McAllister turned his marker in the box and was crudely hacked down but the ref waved penalty appeals away. Five minutes later, he shot straight at the Nortel keeper when well placed. Just before half time, Dickson found himself in the opposition box but he shot over from close range with the goal begging to leave the first half scoreless. HT 0-0.

The roles were reversed in the second half with ‘Burn having the wind advantage and the majority of the play in the Nortel defensive area. However, they could not make the breakthrough. At the other end, the visitors were dangerous from set pieces and they scored against the run of play from a free kick with their no 10 volleying in from close range. ‘Burn tried to find an equaliser and almost did so when Edwards headed against the post from an Owens cross. They continued to press until the last whistle, but the visitors held on for a narrow victory. FT 0-1.

The 3^rd XI were missing a number of key players for their trip to title contenders Greenwell Star and although beaten still managed to return with a respectable score-line.

Bryansburn had a slight wind advantage in the first half but still managed to spend the majority of the first half on the defensive. Dempster and Davison both had half-chances but that was all Bryansburn could muster. At the other end it took some heroic defending to keep the home side at bay with the back four of Cole, Shaw, McComb and Beckett simply outstanding. Brady pulled off a full-length diving save and another effort was cleared off the line but if truth be told Greenwell failed to really get at Bryansburn despite their dominance. On the half hour the breakthrough came and amazingly it went to ‘Burn with an early contender for goal of the season. The home keeper cleared the ball to Dempster just inside the Greenwell half and from 45 yards he smacked the ball back over the keepers head and into the roof of the net. This gave ‘Burn something to defend which they did successfully until the last minute of the half when a long ball into the box was not dealt with and Greenwell equalised.

As the second half progressed the wind increased and the home side stepped up the pressure pinning ‘Burn back. As in the first half the experienced back four defended heroically as ‘Bryansburn tried to hold on for a point. However as the half wore on and legs tired Greenwell started to get through and that was when keeper Brady came into his own. He pulled off at least four superb saves to keep ‘Burn in with the chance of a point. As time ticked away the home side were growing frustrated but fifteen minutes from the end they managed to take the lead when a mistake from substitute Young was duly punished. In the closing minutes Greenwell scored a third straight from a corner. Bryansburn were denied a blatant penalty when the keeper brought down Dempster but it would not have affected the final outcome.

This was a decent performance from the 3rds against a team who will most definitely be fighting it out for the title. “Man of the Match” was keeper Brady.

The 4th Xl met Greenwell Star on Saturday at Ballywooley and were beaten 5-1. Playing into a strong wind in the first half ‘Burn were put under pressure from the start with Greenwell moving the ball around quickly. The home side survived a couple of early scares and were dependent upon occasional breaks with Cairnduff providing the main threat. The visitors took the lead after 20 minutes when a free-kick, which seemed to be heading out, was headed back across his own goal by Keable and the wind carried it into the net. Five minutes later it was 2 nil when a well struck shot from 30 yards flew into the top corner. Pinion saved well with his legs to prevent a third and then ‘Burn pulled themselves back into contention when Cairnduff scored following a quick break. The same player nearly got his second but Burn’s hopes of turning around only one goal down were dashed when a moment of confusion led to Proctor heading the ball past Pinion into his own net.

The second half was a more even affair without too many clear cut chances but it was Greenwell who extended their lead when a free kick into the ‘Burn penalty box caught Pinion in no mans land and the ball was headed past him into an empty net. Greenwell saved their best goal to last when a quick break was finished in style with a strong shot by their centre forward to leave the final score 5 – 1.

A disappointing performance by ‘Burn after the encouraging display of the previous week.

Training continues at Ward Park tonight (Thur) at 6.30pm and on Tuesday 8pm at Bangor Sportsplex.

Fixtures this Saturday: 1^st XI V 1^st Bangor OB (a), 2^nd XI V Abbeyview (h), 3^rd XI V Abbey Villa lll (a) and 4^th XI V Stranmillis 37^th OB ll (h).

The Christmas Dinner has been booked in the Stormont Hotel for Saturday 19^th December. All those interested can secure their place with a £25 deposit to be given to Alan Dempster asap.

All players are reminded that annual subscriptions are now due. Could those who have not yet paid please do so this Saturday.

Bryansburn 1^st XI are now the only unbeaten team in Division 1B after travelling to Orangefield OB and recording a good 4-2 victory.

Bryansburn playing up the hill in the first half started the game brightly and within the first few minutes Malomo-Paris had a great opportunity to settle the nerves when the ball fell to him in the box and from an acute angle from close range he could only find the keepers legs and out for a corner.

Bryansburn continued to press and were clearly enjoying the September sunshine until the referee on 22 minutes changed the complexion of the game. Orangefield defender was bringing the ball out of the back and as he attempted to clear the ball, Ricky Barr slid in to prevent the clearance and caught the standing foot of the defender and up ended him. The referee deemed the challenge as an “over the ball incident” and showed Barr the red card but from the angle of the tackle it was impossible for Barr to have gone over the ball. On 28 minutes clever work down the right side from McConkey where he beat two players and delivered a cracking cross to the back post when Culbert was on hand to bullet the header past the stranded goal keeper. Soon after Culbert had the chance to double the lead when the referee adjudged the Orangefield player of handling the ball in the area but Culbert penalty beat the keeper but unfortunately came out off the post and he finished the rebound. His relief was short lived as the referee disallowed the goal and awarded a free kick to Orangefield, as the same player is not allowed to touch the ball in consecutive touches from a penalty kick.

Bryansburn continued to be on top but Orangefield slowly were starting to get them selves into the game and were looking dangerous on the break. Bryansburn looked vulnerable from set pieces all afternoon and they failed to take heed of two previous corners when the number 9 had one cleared off the line by Graham only to once again on the stroke of half time leave the Number 9 unmarked and he made no mistake this time when he rose above everyone to rifle his header in to the net for the equaliser. A cruel blow to the efforts of the Burn side but if you continuously give the opposition chance after chance then they are inevitably going to take one of them.

The 2^nd half started like the first with Bryansburn on the ascendancy and taking the game to their opponents. Great play all afternoon from the pairing of McGimpsey and Maguire and it was the both of them who had early shots. Firstly McGimpsey jigged past a couple of players but his shot went tamely wide and then Maguire followed suit with a venomous shot but his effort was also off target.

Bryansburn took the lead on 55 minutes when a long throw into the box where Sizzler Graham rose and directed an unstoppable header in to give Bryansburn the lead for the 2^nd time.

Orangefield were on the rack as Burn pressed to kill off the game but on 65 minutes against the run of play a great through ball found the left winger and he managed to get himself to the bye line and hit a cross type shot which Doran could only parry out and the Orangefield striker was on hand to toe poke the ball home for the equaliser and stun the visiting team. This clearly give Orangefield a lift and they were now playing with a lot more urgency and impetus however the back 4 of Bryansburn stood firm and reduced Orangefield to efforts from long range that at no stage troubled Doran.

New signing from Dundela Jonathan Tumelty replaced Malomo-Paris and he made an immediate impact. His direct running and general pace was clearly giving the home side a few additional problems. Of all my days watching a game I have never witnessed what was to happen next. On 70 minutes Goal keeper Doran picked the ball up and he let loose a mammoth kick down field and the ball bounced just inside the 18yard line and the home keeper failed to judge it correctly and it sailed over him into the net for what was to be the wining goal. To settle the nerves of the visiting spectators on 85 minute the 4^th goal came when Culbert made it to the bye line and delivered a telling cross to debutant Tumelty who with one touch out of his feet he unleashed a left footed drive into the net to secure an emphatic win.

This was a well-deserved victory for Bryansburn and after going down to ten men early on they stuck to their task and showed great determination and desire.

If they can brush up defensively with their set pieces and convert more of their penalty kicks to kill teams off, things could bode well for the season.

The 2nds made the long journey to play Aghadowey of the Coleraine & District Premier league in the 1^st Round of the Junior Cup and eased through to the next round with a 4-1 victory.

For the first twenty minutes the game was even, with chances created at both ends. Bryansburn’s best chance fell to Morrison whose shot was saved by the Aghadowey keeper. The visitors took the lead when the home defence did not deal with a long throw by Morrison and an unmarked Edwards nodded in to continue his fine goal-scoring streak. ‘Burn had several chances to extend their lead but failed to do so to leave the half time score at one nil. HT 0-1.

‘Burn pushed on in the second half and extended their lead ten minutes in. Edwards picked up the ball 25 yards out and seeing the keeper off his line, hit a lovely shot over his outstretched arms into the back of the net. Aghadowey resorted to attempting the long ball over the top but this was dealt well with by the visiting defence. Bryansburn’s third came courtesy of a rare goal from Larmour. Making a late break into the box he hit a fine left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net to spark off the celebrations. The home team then pulled one back from a corner, which was the one blip in an otherwise excellent defensive performance. ‘Burn then made it 4-1 when their three subs combined to great effect. Owens crossed deep to Anderson who pulled the ball back for Fitzpatrick to knock the ball in from ten yards.

A very good performance all around from Bryansburn and a well deserved win.

FT 1-4.

The 3^rd XI remain in 4^th place in the Down Area Premier after a 2-2 draw with Vision Athletic at Ballywooley.

‘Burn put in a poor first half showing and trailed 1-0 at the break. Two good chances fell to Beattie early on but he failed to hit the target and after that the home side created little in the way of chances. At the other end Vision headed against the bar with Cole clearing the danger but they too carries little in the way of a goal threat. The only goal of the half had a touch of route one about it. A long kick from the keeper beat everyone and a forward latched on to it. Brady saved his effort but the rebound fell kindly for another striker to tuck it into the empty net.

Bryansburn came out strongly in the second half and dominated for a spell pushing the visitors back and they were rewarded with an equaliser. Cole fired a free-kick into the box and Cardwell got a touch to deflect the ball home. Having worked so hard to get back in the game, ’Burn then fell behind again within minutes. A vision forward was several yards offside but the referee let play continue and he rounded Brady to put his side in the lead. Although the game continued to be scrappy with good football at a premium it was Bryansburn who carried the urgency as they tried hard to salvage something from the game. Three times they hit the woodwork with the keeper well beaten. Firstly Cardwell rapped the post and then Shaw appeared in the box and banged the ball against the same upright. Finally a free-kick came back off the crossbar and on all three occasions the rebound fell kindly to Vision.

‘Burn did have one let-off when a short back pass from Murphy looked to have cost the game but Brady made a brilliant save as the player attempted to go round him. With ten minutes to go Bryansburn equalised courtesy of a defender who put the ball in his own net while under pressure from Murphy. The home side pressed hard for a winner in the closing minutes but in the end a draw was probably a fair result on the back of what was a fairly poor performance.

The 4^th XI travelled to Agape ll and despite controlling the first half were beaten 3-1.

‘Burn had to travel with the bare eleven players due to late withdrawals. Despite this they made a confident start with first Jeffers and then an Agape defender hitting the opposition’s woodwork. ‘Burn took a deserved lead after 25 minutes when the ball ran loose in the Agape penalty area following a corner and Jeffers back-heeled the ball into the net. Geddis then went close with a 25-yard effort and at half time Bryansburn led 1-0.

Agape took the game to ‘Burn in the 2nd half and put the defence under some pressure. The visitors continued to pose a threat on the break and Lowry had a great chance to increase the lead but the keeper saved well. The lack of any subs hampered Bryansburn as a couple of players picked up knocks and Agape took their opportunity to equalise on the break with fifteen minutes to go. Just when it seemed ‘Burn would hold on for a deserved point, a long ball from defence in the 85th minute found the Agape centre forward in what looked like an offside position and he ran on to slot the ball past keeper Pinion. Just to rub salt in the wound, Agape scored a third in the last minute when their substitute won the ball some 45 yards from goal and the ball sailed over Pinion’s head for a spectacular – if lucky – goal. To round off a miserable afternoon, centre – half Jones who had been ‘Burn’s best player on the day, was then harshly sent off for disputing a referees decision.

On the whole, Burns’ young team had much to be proud of, especially their first half performance but paid in the end for having to travel with no substitutes.

Training continues at Ward Park tonight (Thur) at 6.30pm and on Tuesday 8pm at Bangor Sportsplex.

Fixtures this Saturday: 1^st XI V Rathfriland Rangers (a), 2^nd XI V Nortel ll (h), 3^rd XI V Greenwell Star (a) and 4^th XI V Greenwell Star ll (h).

The Christmas Dinner has been booked in the Stormont Hotel for Saturday 19^th December. All those interested can secure their place with a £25 deposit to be given to Alan Dempster.

All players are reminded that annual subscriptions are now due. Could those who have not yet paid please do so this Saturday.