Scarva taken to penalties

(Foster Cup quarter-final - Scarva won after penalties)

CUP runs can be rollercoaster rides of emotion and this Foster Cup quarter-final was a real nerve jangling affair.

The two sides faced each other for the second week in a row.

Scarva Rangers had comfortably triumphed in the league meeting the week before but the rematch, with a cup semi-final place at stake, was a much closer contest.

Visitors Keady Celtic took a first half lead from the penalty spot but before the interval hosts Scarva were on level terms again.

Stephen Hendron sent in a pinpoint cross from a corner and Dean McCammon met it with an unstoppable header.

The woodwork seemed determined to bring Scarva’s cup hopes crashing down around them. Twice Glenn Moffett headers struck the frame of the goal and a magnificent free kick from Kyle Jennett struck the post, cannoned onto the crossbar and bounced to safety.

At the other end Rangers keeper Ritchie McGivern produced an inspirational save when a Keady goal seemed certain.

Ninety minutes and then extra time failed to separate the two sides and it was down to who could hold their nerve in the penalty shoot-out.

The hosts were a match for the challenge, with goalkeeper McGivern making two crucial saves while the visitors missed another spot kick. Kyle Jennett, Colin Brown and Dean McCammon all found the net for Scarva Rangers.

The local side can now look forward to a semi-final encounter with Lurgan BBOB.