The opening fixture of 2016 ends in a home defeat for Scarva Rangers

Opponents Keady Celtic led by a single goal at the half time interval and added two further goals in the second half to strengthen their grip on the three points at stake.

The visitors exerted pressure in the early stages, forcing a series of corners, but the home defence was resolute.

At the opposite end the Keady keeper made a save from Kyle Foster and then from a long range Rod Douglas free kick that was heading into the back of the net before it was tipped wide.

After Celtic opened the scoring Scarva mounted a number of attacks, with Andrew Boyce embarking on a strong, determined run into the box but he was thwarted when the visiting keeper saved with his feet.

Before that a Gregory Douglas free kick flashed just wide of the upright and the same player made a lung busting run almost the entire length of the field and played in Foster but a Keady defender made a timely intervention to deny the Scarva player.

Another free kick from Gregory Douglas went narrowly wide as Rangers continued to press for an equaliser.

Celtic went 2-0 up and then struck the Scarva woodwork before the ball was scrambled away for a corner.

It was swung in and Philip Magill cleared the ball off the Rangers goal line when a third goal seemed certain.

At the other end Rod Douglas lofted a free kick into the Keady area.

The ball was spilled by the keeper and Freddie McKelvey followed up but his effort was deflected over the bar.

The visitors effectively ended the game as a contest with a third goal.

The hosts had a couple of free kicks but neither troubled the keeper and late in the game a headed effort sailed over the visitors’ crossbar.