Millar brace pushes Scarva Reserves to victory

Two top quality strikes from Matthew Millar helped to propel Scarva to an away victory in their opening league fixture of the season.

The foundations for the away side’s opening goal were laid by some industrious work from player manager Freddie McKelvey who harried the home side until they surrendered possession.

Stephen Morton then dissected the home defence with a precise through ball and Millar coolly swept the ball into the net as the keeper advanced to meet him.

Danny Cullen headed the ball off the Scarva goal line to keep his side’s lead intact before Millar struck for a second time.

Another cleverly crafted pass, this time supplied by Freddie McKelvey, gave the young forward the opportunity. He took full advantage, striking early and emphatically and sending the ball fizzing into the corner of the goal.

Tullygally halved the deficit with a fantastic finish into the top corner of the Scarva goal and at the other end Danny Cullen unleashed a stinging volley that was superbly saved by the home keeper.

Scarva’s reserve side restored their two goal cushion after the interval with a clinical finish from Stephen Morton but the visitors spent most of the half on the back foot as the home side dominated possession.

Another excellent finish reduced the arrears to 3-2 and by now the visitors were under sustained pressure but some assured goalkeeping from Alan Hammond and some dogged defending by his outfield teammates enabled them to weather the storm.

A very ugly incident at the end of the game marred the afternoon and was not in character with what had been a keenly contested but not ill-tempered match.