Bryansburn Rangers travelled to Billy Neill on Saturday to take on League-leaders and title contenders Dundonald and suffered their first League defeat of the season by going down 3-1.
Bryansburn started the game on fire and were in the ascendancy right from the first whistle and could have found themselves in front within the opening minute when a high ball flicked on by Culbert was met by Rick Barr but his great effort went inches over the bar.
The visitors continued to press early on and took the lead after only four minutes when a well-worked corner on the right between Steven Barr and Coard found Culbert at the back post to rifle it high into the roof of the net for the perfect start.
‘Burn, turning the screw, were in search of the second goal and had Dundonald pinned back in their own half with Rick Barr looking the most dangerous playing down the right flank.
However, against the run of play, in the 14th minute, a long ball from defence to attack sent Dundonald’s Fisher clear down the right channel and Graham could do nothing but pull him to the ground just outside the box.
Up stepped Harvey for Dundonald who outwitted the ‘Burn side by unleashing a shot around the one-man wall into the net whilst the goalkeeper and defence stood static contemplating a cross.
Bryansburn responded well to this setback and took the game to Dundonald and began to create chance after chance.
Rick Barr on two occasions found himself clear in on goal but his delayed final ball or shot and he was crowded out.
Another telling cross from Rick Barr found Culbert but his header dipped just over the bar. The same player was unfortunate soon after as he connected with a volley just inside the box when the best option was maybe to take a touch but on another day it could have bust the net.
There were then two big decisions by the referee that helped define the outcome of this match. Firstly Bryansburn were denied a stonewall penalty when a shot from the edge of the box was blocked by the hand of the Dundonald defender. Then another controversial decision followed after a back pass to the home keeper was well closed down by Rick Barr and although the ball clearly hit him on the chest the referee harshly deemed it to be a handball.
Bryansburn were still well on top and after another goalmouth scramble Culbert had three snap shot attempts on goal as he tried to force the ball home but Dundonald defence stood firm.
Another chance of note was after more great work down the right from Rick Barr his delivery was flicked on by Culbert but Coard playing his first game in three months tried an acrobatic overhead kick and his effort went inches wide of the upright.
On the stroke of half time Dundonald gave a warning of what was to materialise during the 2nd half when they broke away down the right channel once again and a telling cross was lost in flight by the ‘Burn goalkeeper and the ball fell to a Dundonald striker whose shot was brilliantly cleared off the line by Magee.
HT 1-1
The 2nd half started with the home side looking a lot more urgent and playing with more impetus. It was evident that their game plan was to play quick high balls to the stocky built Centre-forward and for the rest to feed off him. It was clearly working as the visitors’ defence, for the first time, looked uncomfortable and under pressure.
Ten minutes in the game turned on its head when Dundonald were awarded a penalty when Matthews was scythed down by Graham who could have no complaints when the referee pointed to the spot. Harvey duly obliged when he despatched his 2nd goal of the game hitting his penalty in off the right hand post.
Bryansburn’s woes deepened when injury prone Magee had to depart due to injury and Maitland replaced him in the centre of the defence. Then a shot by a home striker came off the post and just when it looked as if ‘Burn had escaped, it rebounded back into the grasp of goalkeeper Galbraith but he fumbled it and as Maitland tried to help him out, his clearance only found the midriff of the advancing striker and it rebounded into the net for what can only be described as a farcical goal.
This goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and from then on there was only one team in the contest. Dundonald’s trio of forwards were giving the ‘Burn defence a torrid time and were cutting them open at will.
With the midfield three now showing their superiority a 4th goal looked inevitable but the best chances fell to Matthews wide on the right as he found himself clear on two occasions but his resulting shots were squandered. Dundonald were reduced to ten men late on when the same player was firstly booked for a foul on Cooling. He then trod on thin ice when he kicked out but his fate was sealed when he kicked the ball away minutes from the end of the game
Chances came and went for Dundonald as the visitors looked as if they were looking for the whistle but there was still time for Coard to have an effort on goal. A deep cross form the right found Coard unmarked at the back post but his header was well saved by the keeper and this effort was closely followed by a shot by Culbert from just inside the box which was well met on the line by the Dundonald defender.
The game petered out after that as the home side ran out worthy winners in the end.
Bryansburn have to take the positives from their first half performance as they could easily have had the game won by halftime. It was not to be but to go unbeaten in the league until mid February is still a gallant effort but the side need to get this 2nd half performance out of their system and get back on track with their next game at home to Bloomfield this Saturday.
The 2nd XI battled to an entertaining 4-4 draw with Mossley YM ll at Ballywooley in a game were the initiative swung from end to end.
The home side started well but it was Mossley who took command with two goals in the opening twenty minutes. Bryansburn fought back superbly and Andy Thompson reduced the deficit with a header before being pushed in the box and stand-in keeper Edwards equalised from the penalty spot. The comeback was complete just before the break when Morrison scored to put Bryansburn 3-2 up at halftime.
Mossley wrestled the advantage back with two goals in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half to lead 4-3. After that the game flowed from end to end with Mossley unable to get the strike that would kill the game off and ‘Burn failing to get an equaliser. The score remained the same until two minutes from time when Peeples powered home a header to leave the final score 4-4. Overall a draw was probably a fair result.
The 3rd XI were second best for large periods of their game at home to Comber Star but a rousing finale saw them run out 4-2 winners.
‘Burn made a bright start playing all the football and dominating possession and were particularly unlucky not to take the lead when a Dempster header from a Beattie corner seemed to be cleared after it crossed the line but the referee waved play on. Comber then came into the game and deservedly took the lead when the home defence failed to clear and a forward scored from close range. The visitors should then have doubled their advantage when a penalty was harshly awarded after a challenge by McComb. However the resultant penalty was fired over the bar. ‘Burn failed to capitalise on this escape and Comber continued to create and miss chances on a regular basis with the home side fortunate to only be trailing by one goal.
Bryansburn had one good opportunity when Cardwell fired inches wide from close range.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Comber Star well on top but failing to accept any of the chances to extend their lead. With it being seemingly only a matter of time until the game slipped away Bryansburn made a tactical switch pulling Cardwell back into midfield and pushing Gallagher up front and the move reaped dividends minutes later. Cardwell made a superb run and slipped the ball through for Gallagher to equalise. Three minutes after this the game was turned totally on its head when Owens popped up at the back post to volley home a Beckett cross and ‘Burn were now winning a game that they were fortunate to still be in. Gallagher then pounced for his second goal of the match and it was 3-1. Murphy and Cardwell were now running riot in the centre of the park and the visiting keeper made great saves to deny Cole and also Gallagher his hat-trick. Shivers also came on for a cameo role and helped carve out a few chances.
With the points seemingly in the bag Comber reduced the deficit with a blistering volley that seemed to hit the post and then Beckett on the line but the referee gave the goal. With only a couple of minutes remaining Comber sensed the chance to rescue a point but all hopes were quickly distinguished with the goal of the game. Dempster slipped his marker at the corner of the box and curled a delightful effort into the top corner past a static keeper. Game over.
The 4th XI travelled to title challengers Greenwell Star ll and were well beaten 5-1.
Greenwell started the stronger and stand-in keeper Geddis had to make a couple of early saves. ‘Burn started to settle but went a goal behind after fifteen minutes when a missed clearance allowed the Centre-forward to fire home into the left hand corner from 15 yards. ‘Burn rallied and equalised five minutes later when Patterson showed great persistence to create a chance which he converted with a good right foot shot. Unfortunately poor defending cost Bryansburn again as Greenwell regained the lead on the half hour mark. ‘Burn would have been content to go in 2-1 down at halftime but five minutes from the break failure to clear properly resulted in a cross being powerfully headed home to put Greenwell’s 2 goals to the good.
Bryansburn began the second half strongly without really troubling the Greenwell keeper and gained in confidence as the game went on. Greenwell did create several chances but found Geddis in fine form in goals and he made at least three excellent saves to keep his side in contention. In the 82nd minute a clumsy challenge resulted in a penalty to Greenwell, which was duly converted, and Burn’s improved second half performance was undone by a fifth goal just before the end.
Best for ‘Burn was Geddis in goals who was let down by a poor performance by his defence.
This Saturday: 1st XI V Bloomfield (h), 2nd XI V 18th Newtownabbey OB ll (a), 3rd XI V Vision Athletic (a) and 4th XI V Moat Park Rangers ll (a).
Everyone connected with Bryansburn Football Club would like to pass on deepest sympathy to Vice Chairman Graham Lowry on his recent bereavement. Our thoughts are with him.
