Bryansburn Rangers FC

Bryansburn Rangers travelled to Dunmurry YM last Saturday and despite an unconvincing performance came away with a 3-1 win.

The away side came flying out of the blocks and were unlucky not to go ahead after great work by Malomo-Paris. The opening goal did arrive moments later after great play by Maguire who fed the ball for Culbert to side foot into the corner of the net.

The home side rallied quickly and found themselves back in the game when the referee gave a very dubious penalty much to the disbelief of both teams and supporters. ‘Burn upped their game but some very poor passing and finishing left the scores level at halftime.

After a few harsh words from the Management Team at halftime the visitors almost scored straight from the kick off only for the home keeper to deny Tumelty. Moments later the same player rifled one from the edge of the box into the bottom corner only for the referee to signal offside ruling that Culbert had got the final touch.

The YM started to get on top of the game and only great defending and goalkeeping from Steventon kept them at bay. Twenty minutes from time Tumelty scored his 17^th of the season to put Bryansburn in front after great play from Cooling and Coard down the right hand side.

Again the home side came back at ‘Burn and only great defending and goal-line clearances from Cooling and Rick Barr kept the away side 2-1 to the good.

Shortly before the final whistle, after a long throw from McGimpsey, Culbert used his strength to hold off a Dunmurry player and he turned and smashed the ball into the bottom corner to leave the final score 3-1.

Not a great performance but another three points and with Newcastle drawing against Dundonald its all to play for as Bryansburn are still in the promotion mix with eight games remaining, seven of which are at home.

The 3rds pulled off a remarkable win against Comber YM in the Supplementary Cup fighting back from 4-1 down to take the tie to extra time before eventually winning on penalties.

‘Burn actually made a bright start and took a deserved lead when Cardwell capitalised on a poor defensive header to run through and drill the ball under the advancing keeper. The visitors could then have doubled their lead when Corr took a quick free-kick and the Comber keeper denied Dempster with a superb save.

However after that it was the YM who took over. They played a very direct but effective game and ‘Burn had no answer to it. They quickly equalised scrambling the ball home from a corner, took the lead minutes later when a forward was first to the second ball and by the time they added a third goal were well on top. ‘Burn struggled to get the ball down and play with only Corr providing much threat and Bryansburn were perhaps fortunate to be only 3-1 down at the break.

The second half did not start any better with Brady having to make one great save before Comber made it 4-1 with the ball going straight in from a corner. With the tie all but over a change in tactics saw Right-back Cole withdrawn in favour of Edwards up front as ‘Burn switched from a 4-4-2 formation to 3-4-3. Suddenly Bryansburn were having more joy as Comber struggled to pick players up and ‘Burn aided by the instrumental Murphy began to get the ball down and play. With Beckett bombing down the left there was now a belief that the game was not yet over.

On the hour mark Dempster turned his man thirty yards out and threaded a precision ball to Thompson who took one touch and fired home to make it 4-2. Six minutes later it was game on as a flowing six man move ended with Corr rifling the ball into the top corner from just outside the box. The momentum was now totally with Bryansburn with Comber looking a shadow of the team that had controlled the first half. Corr and Cardwell went close before the equaliser duly arrived in the 78^th minute. Again it was a flowing move with the ball finally finding Lemon at the corner of the box and he drilled a low effort into the bottom corner.

Bryansburn pushed forward trying to finish the game within the ninety minutes but their hopes took a blow when they were reduced to ten men. Suddenly it was a case of making sure that the tie did go to extra time and they held on despite a late Comber rally.

With twenty minutes extra time to come ‘Burn abandoned the three at the back policy because of having a man less and reverted to a 4-4-1 formation, Peeples coming on at the back to replace Dempster up front. The idea was to hold on for penalties. The tactic worked well because although ‘Burn never looked like scoring neither did Comber. As time ticked away ‘Burn had two lucky escapes. Firstly a free-kick struck the outside of the post and then a Comber forward beat the offside and lobbed the advancing Brady only to see the ball drop just over the crossbar.

Disaster struck with two minutes remaining when the referee awarded a penalty against Peeples, which was duly despatched. Comber thought they had won the tie but Jones immediately replaced Cardwell and Peeples was sent up front to try and redeem himself and that is exactly what he did turning the ball in from twelve yards to make it 5-5. Straight away he was back in defence as ‘Burn made sure that they did not throw the game away after so much hard work.

So to the shoot-out with regular penalty taker Dempster and his deputy Cardwell both off the pitch. However it did not matter as Bryansburn scored all five penalties while Comber put one of their four wide. On target were Corr, Edwards, Lemon and Peeples with Murphy hitting the winning kick.

Very poor first half but a scintillating comeback with a Quarterfinal tie against either Ballygowan or Newtown Forest the reward. Best for Bryansburn was Corr.

The 4^th XI travelled to Stranmillis 37^th OB ll for a Tommy Murphy Memorial Shield match and drew 3-3.

‘Burn made a great start going 2-0 up in the first ten minutes through J.Geddis and Jeffers. The home side then worked their way back into the match and it was no surprise when their Centre-forward fired high into the net after half an hour to reduce the deficit. They continued to look the more likely to score but it looked like Bryansburn would take their lead into the interval when a corner on the stroke of half time was handled in the box and the resultant penalty was duly dispatched to level the scores.

37th continued the second half where they left off and took the lead twenty minutes in when a half cleared corner was hooked back over goalkeeper Geddis for a fine goal. ‘Burn improved after this with chances falling to Taylor and Patterson but with time running out it looked like the equaliser would not come. However, a couple of minutes from the end, sub Crawley was fouled just outside the box and Jeffers stepped up to curl a lovely free kick into the top corner off the crossbar to leave the final score 3 all.

Fixtures this Saturday: 1^st V 1^st Bangor OB (h), 2^nd XI V Shorts FC ll (a), 3^rd XI V Ballygowan (h) and 4^th XI V Agape ll (a)

The next social function is a “Nite at the Races” in the Rose on Saturday 24^th April so please keep that night free. Horses are now on sale – please see Alan Dempster. Tickets are available for that event and also for the Annual Dinner and Awards Night in the Marine Court Hotel in May. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come basis. Again see Alan Dempster.

Bryansburn Rangers hosted League-leaders and fellow title challengers Dundonald at Ballywooley last Saturday and it was the away side who came away with a 4-2 victory to put a dent in the home sides push for promotion.

Dundonald won the toss and chose to play with the strong wind at their backs and this was a decision that in hindsight impacted most on how the game panned out.

Bryansburn during the early exchanges looked to be on the back foot but still looked comfortable dealing with the Dundonald attacks until a needless challenge by Maitland who barged into the back of Chambers in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The penalty was rifled into the corner giving Steventon no chance.

Worse was to follow minutes later when the Right Fullback of Dundonald was given too much time and space to send a pinpoint cross to the back post and after the first headed effort by Chambers was brilliantly cleared off the line by Magee, Matthews for Dundonald reacted quicker to head the ball back into the gaping net and Bryansburn were on the rack.

‘Burn started to come to life and a great ball by Coard released Tumelty one on one with the keeper but the visitor’s keeper stood firm saving the ball with his legs. Minutes later the same player had another great effort but once again it was the same outcome.

A third goal for Dundonald looked on the cards as they tried to finish the half strongly and a wind assisted deflected shot from wide left rifled past Steventon only for it to somehow bounce off the crossbar and S Barr put it away for safety.

The 3^rd and decisive goal eventually came when after a great tackle on the edge of the box by Graham the ball fell to the young midfielder of Dundonald who swung his right boot at it and gave Steventon no chance as it hit the top corner of the net to leave the half time score 0-3.

What a difference the halftime team talk made and within minutes of the restart Bryansburn were on the attack and it was evident that the Fullbacks of Bryansburn were now asking questions of the visiting team. After two quick corners in succession, a 3^rd corner was awarded in the 51^st minute which was whipped in and half cleared into the path of Tumelty who was lurking at the edge of the box and he blasted an unstoppable shot through a crowd of players into the net to give Bryansburn the perfect start to the 2^nd half.

Dundonald now had their backs against the wall, and the home side, with the wind at their back, penned them in as they went in search for a quick 2^nd goal. After a few long range efforts the 2^nd goal came on 58 minutes when Tumelty again struck a venomous shot from distance but the keeper could only parry into the path of Thompson who slid it into the net much to the delight of the home side supporters.

Dundonald were clearly rattled by the comeback and the comeback was near complete when Thompson rose unmarked from a corner to power in a header but the Dundonald defender on the post somehow headed it off the line via the cross bar and out for safety.

Disappointingly Bryansburn failed to capitalise on this and this chance that came and went seem to deflate the home side and from then the visitors slowing battled their way back into the game.

Bryansburn, only showing glimpses of attack, were now being matched all around the park and the final nail in the coffin arrived on four minutes from time when Dundonald broke away and scored a controversial 4^th goal to more or less kill the game. The ‘Burn players stopped waiting for the referee to blow for a foul but the whistle never came and they broke down the left and the winger checked inside and crossed the ball for an easy finish for Chambers and send Dundonald to a resounding victory.

The league table does not lie but even though Dundonald have picked up maximum points from the two games against Bryansburn there is still reason for optimism that the chance of promotion is far from over. Now fourteen points behind but with four games in hand all eyes will be on Dundonald who play title rivals Newcastle back to back the next two Saturdays. So although it is out of ‘Burn’s hands at present it is possible that there will be more twists and turns from now until the end of the season.

The 2^nd XI continued their climb up the Division 3C table travelling to League-leaders Nortel ll, unbeaten at home this season, and returning with a resounding 4-0 victory.

‘Burn started the game well and had Nortel pinned back from the off as neat passing from the back through the midfield to the front two had the home side all over the place. The first chance of the half fell to Captain Thompson when he headed a great Lemon corner against the bar. ‘Burn were in total control and should have taken the lead when Morrison failed to beat the keeper from inside the box. Thompson, again, found a bit of space from a corner but fired his shot wide of the post.
The Bryansburn defence was capable of dealing with anything Nortel could muster going forward and with the midfield well on top there was plenty of service to the front two who were running the back four ragged. Despite this the half finished with the game still goal-less.
After an inspiring halftime team talk by Edwards, ‘Burn came out for the second half a duly wrapped the game up within fifteen minutes. The opener came when Morrison latched onto a long ball and fired an unstoppable volley right into the top corner. The second came again from the talented Morrison who outpaced the Nortel back four and from a tight angle stroked a sweet strike into the roof of the net.
The lead was extended further with a great team effort as ‘Burn played the ball out from the back through the midfield and when Morrison flicked on to the incoming Thompson he hit a great first time effort into the net.
The visitors then made a few changes with Edwards and McCullough coming on and the scoring was complete after good work down the right from Cunningham and Kehoe carried on by Edwards who switched the play to Storey and he went on a mazy run from his own half all the way into the Nortel box before scoring with a sublime finish.
Manager Edwards was delighted with the team performance as everyone was outstanding and hopes they can carry this into this week’s big game against East Belfast ll at Ballywooley.

The 3^rd XI turned in a scintillating second half performance to hammer Comber Rec lll 6-1 at Parkway Comber.

The home side made the better start and forced one smart save from Andrews before ‘Burn began to get into the game. However once they got a foothold they caused Comber loads of problems without actually carving out too many chances. Gallagher had a rasping 25-yard drive tipped over but the only other opportunities of note fell to McComb at corners but his shots were comfortable for the keeper. With Murphy and Rea running the midfield, Gallagher marauding down the left flank and the experienced front pairing of Cardwell and Dempster pulling the Rec back four all over the place there was no doubt who was on top with the home side bickering amongst them selves. However despite their dominance and the backing of a strong wind the game remained scoreless at the break.

Bryansburn could not have made a worse start to the second half as Comber Rec broke the deadlock after a 0ne-two on the edge of the box and a good volleyed finish. ‘Burn now looked to be up against it trailing by 1-0 and against the wind. Patterson went close with a low shot just wide of the post but no-one could have guessed what was to come as Bryansburn ripped the home side apart with some brilliant football and banged in five goals in the space of fifteen minutes.

Firstly Beckett released Dempster on the left flank and he made it to the by-line, cut in and crossed for Rea to head home the equaliser. Minutes later Cardwell pounced on a loose ball in the box to stab home and the visitors’ were in the lead. Murphy then caught the home defence sleeping with a quickly taken free-kick and Rea reached it before the advancing keeper to walk it round him and roll the ball home. A good team goal followed with Rea playing Cardwell in down the inside right channel and he crossed for Gallagher to hammer home from close range. Rea then completed his first ever hat-trick for Bryansburn with a superb header after a great run and cross from Gallagher down the left. From trailing 1-0 Bryansburn were now 5-1 up and the game was over. ‘Burn proceeded to stroke the ball about with some great possession football.

Subs Speers and White were given an extended run in place of the hard-working Patterson and hat-trick hero Rea. Comber brought on a couple of experienced players but despite carving out a couple of chances they failed to hit the target. The goal of the game was saved to last. McComb played Cardwell in down the middle and as two defenders tried to challenge he bent the ball into the top corner with the outside of his boot from 25 yards.

The game then petered out with the home side well beaten and Bryansburn were left to reflect on a terrific second half showing. Good team performance with the “Man of the Match” award deservedly going to Rea on a rare appearance.

The 4^th XI held Rosemount Rec ll to a creditable 2-2 draw at Ballywooley.

In what was a very even match throughout, Rosemount struck first with a good free-kick to their striker who used his superior height to power the ball into the net. ‘Burn kept battling and were rewarded when Surgenor scored his first goal for the Club. After a good cross from Jeffers, he struck the ball into the bottom corner of the net to equalise.
The second half started well from a home perspective. A long throw from Jeffers was headed home by Taylor, which was also his first goal for Bryansburn. Rosemount kept pressing and in a goalmouth scramble Taylor handled the ball on the line and the resultant penalty was scored to make it 2-2. Rosemount nearly pinched a winner but for a great save in the last minute.

Fixtures this Saturday: 1^st XI V Ballynahinch United (a) in the 4^th Round of the Clarence Cup, 2^nd XI V East Belfast ll (h), 3^rd XI V 3^rd Bangor OB (a) and 4^th XI V Brentwood ll (h).

Please note two dates for your diary. A Nite at the Races has been organised for the Rose on Saturday 24^th April and the Annual Dinner and Awards Night will be in the Marine Court Hotel on Friday 14^th May. Tickets for both events are currently on sale from Alan Dempster.