Swift revenge for Scarva Reserves

Banbridge AFC Seconds 4

Scarva Rangers Reserves 2

THE revenge Banbridge AFC Reserves inflicted on Scarva Rangers Reserves was as swift as it was sweet.

On Saturday 10 April Scarva had subjected their derby rivals to an 11-2 defeat but 18 days later in Banbridge it was payback time.

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A much-changed AFC side made a perfect start to last Wednesday night’s clash at the Tech pitch, heading past Gordon Magill with their first attack of the match.

Only a series of exceptional goal saving challenges from Scarva’s commanding centre half Brian Topley prevented the home side building an unassailable lead.

Scarva had some chances of their own, the best a Gary Dodds shot that was blasted wide of the target, and with half-time approaching they were on level terms courtesy of a mix-up in the home defence.

Life got even better for the visitors after the half-time interval when substitute Mark Bicker cleverly chipped the ball into the path of player manager Mo Brown, whose perfectly executed strike flashed between AFC’s helpless keeper and his near post.

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The lead didn’t last long. AFC Reserves equalised with a header from a corner and controversially took the lead when the referee awarded a penalty against Brian Topley after the ball landed on his arm as he lay prone on the ground.

The home side’s alert attacker nipped in between Magill and Brown to score the Banbridge side’s fourth goal.

As full time approached the home keeper produced an excellent save to tip John Cullen’s scintillating strike over his crossbar and extinguish Scarva’s hopes of mounting a late rescue mission.

Scarva Rangers Reserves were on the road again on Saturday to face a Richhill Reserves side sitting third in the Reserve Three table.

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The hosts broke the deadlock but Scarva soon equalised with a venomous low free kick from the boot of Mark Bicker.

A see saw first half saw Richhill re-establish their lead before Danny Cullen lashed a powerful low shot into the home side’s net.

Lady luck wasn’t smiling on Scarva or they would have been ahead at the interval, Darren Clarke’s thunderous shot crashing off the crossbar and away from goal.

The first half had been evenly poised but the second half firmly belonged to Richhill Reserves, who scored three times without reply and only superb goalkeeping from Gordon Magill prevented the winning margin growing any greater.

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Scarva enjoyed a late purple patch but couldn’t find the finishing touch to match some enterprising attacking play and the game ended 5-2 to the hosts.

Best for Scarva Rangers Reserves on Wednesday night was Brian Topley and on Saturday left midfielder Mark Gracey.