Saintfield pay heavy price

Saintfield pay heavy price

27 January 2016

SAINTFIELD United’s spirited second half fightback fell short as Bryansburn Rangers went home from the School Field with the spoils. 

The visitors held all the aces in the first half and went in at the break with a 2-0 lead, but it was a different United that came out for the second half. Unfortunately, despite creating a host of chances, all they had to show for their efforts was a headed goal from Stuart Black in the 75th minute. 

Bryansburn, now managed by John Jones, former Ballynahinch United coach, played some nice back to front football and almost took the lead after seven minuets when a sizzling free kick from Mark Coard went narrowly wide.

The opener wasn’t long in coming and with nine minutes on the clock a misplaced header from David Morrow fell into the path of Mark Ballantyne and he raced away to make it 1-0 with a crisp finish.

United mounted a few sporadic raids of their own and Bryansburn were lucky to survive a fee goalmouth scrambles before re-asserting their authority.

Tom Magee and Ballantyne both had chances the visitors, but were thwarted by ‘keeper Matt McClurg, who had an impressive showing.

However, the young custodian was left helpless in the 45th minute when John Mahoney latched on to a through ball and with the Saintfield cover awol, beat McClurg with a good finish.

Saintfield should have halved the deficit two minutes after the break when Morrow got on the end of a sublime corner kick from Phil King, but he inexplicably headed over from a great position.

The beavering Adam Sofley had a super shot saved by Gavin Robb before Morrow headed another corner over the bar as United pushed and probed.

The normally reliable Black, who was now playing much further forward, started giving Bryansburn a few headaches with his pace and movement, but wasted a few good opportunities when goals looked certain.

It didn’t seem to be Saintfield’s day, but with 75 minutes gone Black worked some space in the box and converted Childs’ perfect cross to make it 2-1.

Bryansburn were now rocking and Saintfield had a great penalty shout waved away after Black went down in the box.

The young visitors showed a tremendous willingness to work for one another in the dying stages and with Black unlucky from a King corner, they held on for three points.

Saintfield United: M McClurg, A Sofley, O Duff, C Bowman, D Morrow, P King, J Brennan, A Sofley, S Black, J Johnston-Wood, L Patton. Subs: D Sherrard, A Childs, A Weir.

Bryansburn Rangers: G Robb, R Gray, J Parkes, R Thompson, C Beattie, P Green, M Coard, T McGreevy, M Ballantyne, L Steenson, J Mahoney, Subs: C Hindmarsh, A Thompson, A McKeown.

Saintfield United 1

Bryansburn Rangers 2

AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 1C