Scarva left with little to cheer about

The firsts lost 2-0 in their home game against Goodyear. The visitors have made a bright start to the new season and now sit top of the Division Two table.

Scarva started Saturday’s game impressively but a defensive lapse enabled the visitors to score the opening goal and they added a second before the half time whistle sounded.

Scarva carried a greater attacking threat in the second half, with long range efforts from Wes Baird, a Gary Dodds shot that was scrambled off the goal line and an Alex Hammond header that drifted just wide of the post, but they were unable to grab the goal that might have ignited a comeback.

Best for Scarva Rangers were goalkeeper Paul Davidson and Wes Baird.

Meanwhile Scarva’s reserve team suffered its first defeat of the season, on the back of a hugely disappointing second half display.

Playing with the wind behind them in the opening 45 minutes of their clash with Lisanally Rangers Reserves in Armagh, they had carved out a 3-1 lead by the half-time interval.

The local side’s goals came from a venomous low free kick unleashed by midfielder Dillon, a clinical strike by Stephen Morton after a neat pass from Peter Hanzo and an effortlessly dispatched spot kick from player manager Freddie McKelvey, awarded when Stephen Morton was hauled down inside the area.

Opponents Lisanally scored a stunning long range first half effort. The hosts then took full advantage of the windy conditions and ran riot after the break, quickly wiping out the deficit and going on to score the decisive match winning goal.

Scarva’s cause wasn’t helped when they were reduced through injury to ten men and the visitors almost forced an equaliser during a spirited late spell of pressure.

Best for Scarva Rangers Reserves – Dillon and Hanzo.