Burns fears Ballynure will be rusty at Brantwood

The Burns brothers, Gary and Ronnie, were left without a match at the weekend when their teams fell foul of the Arctic weather.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jan 2016, 15:23 BST
Updated 18th Jan 2016, 15:29 BST
Football updateFootball update
Football update

Ballynure OB were scheduled to play Magherafelt Sky Blues in a Ballymena Premier League fixture at Mossley, but an early morning inspection ruled out the possibility of play.

“When I saw the black ice on the road near my home I had grave doubts about our pitch being playable, so I decided to have a look myself,” said Gary. “Parts of the playing surface was frozen, especially in the goalmouths, so I immediately contacted Magherafelt officials to inform that the match was off, and that avoided any unnecessary travel, so this one will have to be rearranged.

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“This postponement means that we have not kicked a ball since November, and I fear that we might be a little rusty going in to Saturday’s league clash with Brantwood at Skegoneill Avenue. They are always hard to beat especially on their own patch, and we will travel without goalkeeper Paul Hughes who has signed for the Comrades, but Ryan Stewart has served us well in the past when he stood in for Paul (Hughes), so we have every confidence that he will do well in goal,” he ended.

Ballynure are still in pole position four points ahead of Newtowne who have played one match fewer.

Over at Dixon Park, younger brother Ronnie also had a free afternoon when Comrades Reserves clash with Cookstown RBL was postponed because of frost.

“With the seniors away we planned to stage this Ballymena Junior League Division 1 fixture at Dixon Park instead of our normal home ground Threemilewater Park, but neither passed the test,” stated Ronnie.

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“After beating champions Antrim Rovers last week we were keen to keep our noses in front of Newington at the top of the table, so we were all very disappointed, and I won’t know who we play next weekend until after Monday night’s league meeting,” he ended.

The Wee Reds are five points clear at the summit, but Newington YC II have three games in hand, so an interesting second half of the season is on the cards.

This weekend Rathcoole prepare to welcome Dunloy to The Diamond for McReynolds Cup second-round tie.

Ballymena and Provincial League results (Jan 16)

Junior Division 1: Sport & Leisure II 1 - 3 Antrim Rovers

Junior Division 3: Antrim Rovers Swifts 3-3 Carrick Thistle