Late late show for Scarva

Ambassadors 1

INJURY time can be a cruel curse or a cause for celebration.

Scarva Rangers had suffered the down side when they were dumped out of the Marshall Cup by a goal deep in added time but seven days later a goal after the clock had passed the 90 minute mark secured an impressive victory for the village side.

Ambassadors were hot favourites to take all three points from this Mid-Ulster Division two clash and when they surged into an early lead the outlook for Scarva appeared grim.

They were dealt another blow when midfielder Paul McBride had to be taken to hospital , where he had six stitches inserted in a nasty head wound.

The visitors dominated the first half but some tenacious defending from Patton, Douglas, Sterrit and Dillon, and tireless chasing and harrying from their teammates in front of them, prevented Ambassadors extending their single goal advantage.

Stephen Anderson put his side back on level terms with a magnificent strike that screeched into the Ambassadors’ net from 30 yards.

Late in the second half the visiting keeper was forced out of the game after a collision with a Scarva player and, having used their substitutes, they were forced to play out the remaining minutes with ten men.

With the game seemingly destined to end in stalemate, Scarva won a corner and Gareth Dillon rose above his marker to send a header crashing into the Ambassadors’ net and seal the home side’s first league win of the season.

Best for Scarva Rangers were Wes Baird, goalkeeper Paul Davidson and goalscorer Gareth Dillon.

The club wishes Paul McBride and the Ambassadors goalkeeper speedy recoveries from their injuries.