Disappointment

for Scarva Rangers

Scarva Rangers 3

Ardmore Rovers 4

LAST Saturday's roller coaster Mid Ulster Shield clash at Scarva Park ended ultimately in disappointment for the hosts.

Visitors Ardmore Rovers struck an early opening goal but Scarva were soon back on level terms courtesy of a magnificently executed long range half volley from Gareth Dillon that screeched past the helpless keeper into the net.

Scarva responded well after the visitors regained the lead but as half time approached Ardmore broke to devastating effect and Scarva found themselves trailing 3-1 and in deep trouble.

The village side were a rejuvenated force in the early stages of the second half.

An immaculate cross from player manager Maurice Brown picked out Ryan Dodds inside the Ardmore penalty area and the midfielder buried an unstoppable header into the bottom corner of the visitors' net.

As the hosts started to pile on the pressure, striker Alex Hammond outfoxed his marker with a clever spin and turn before unleashing a terrific curling shot that cannoned off the crossbar.

Gary McCune weaved his way past two Ardmore players before a third brought him crashing to the ground. His artistry was rewarded when Gareth Dillon brilliantly curled the resulting free kick into the top corner to level the tie.

It was end to end by now and McCune made a lung bursting run back to his own goal to swipe the ball off the foot of a visiting player and prevent an almost certain goal.

At the other end Ryan Dodds swept his cross perfectly across the face of the Ardmore area and Alex Hammond beat the onrushing keeper to the ball but he was cruelly denied by a superb last ditch clearance as his shot was about to cross the goal line.

Rovers made the most of the let off, springing Scarva's offside trap to score the goal that booked their passage into the next round.

Best for Scarva Rangers were Gary McCune and Ryan Dodds. There was also an encouraging debut from John Gallagher, playing his first competitive game for three years, and he was beginning to make a telling contribution in central midfield before injury intervened.

Scarva Rangers FC would like to thank Hugh and Sam Grattan for their generous sponsorship of Saturday's match.