Battling Scarva earn a share of the spoils

Moira Albion 1

A BATTLING performance ensured Scarva Rangers made an unbeaten start to the new season.

Some players exited the club during the summer while others have joined.

In addition some of the current squad were either unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Moira or on the injured list.

It all meant the starting line-up for the curtain raiser had a very different look to the one that played on the opening day of last season.

But the players who took the field at Havelock Park - Scarva Park is currently closed for repairs to the playing surface - can be very proud of the determination and desire they showed for their side.

Nathan Dodds rattled the Albion post with a beautifully crafted early free kick but it was the visitors who drew first blood.

Rangers refused to allow the setback to unsettle them and they were level before the interval. Left back Ryan Dodds had his shirt pulled as he burst into the penalty area and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.

Responsibility for the spot kick fell to Nathan Dodds and the midfielder unerringly planted his strike into the back of the Albion net.

Both sides pressed for the winner after the interval but the game ended all square. A fine Stephen Anderson free kick found Mark Gracey at the back post but his header was well saved by the Moira keeper.

At the other end Neil Campbell made a number of crucial saves to protect the point Rangers had worked so hard for.

Best for Scarva Rangers was Ryan Dodds.

New manager Mo Brown can be proud of the effort and commitment shown by his players.

Scarva chairman Sam Grattan wished him well in the role and paid tribute to his predecessor Alan Hammond, thanking him for his loyal service to the club.

“Alan was an exceptionally talented player who enjoyed a successful career as an uncompromising defender in the Irish league,” he said.

“Even though he was coming towards the end of his playing career when he returned to Scarva he was still effortlessly superior to everyone else on the pitch and his contribution at the heart of the defence was invaluable.

“Because of his sense of loyalty to Scarva he agreed to take on the role of manager and in his first season in particular created a side that was easily one of the most potent attacking forces in the division.”