Scarva left reeling by defeat

Scarva Rangers 1

DEFEAT may have been by the slenderest margin but that did nothing to dampen the disappointment in the Scarva Rangers camp at the end of Saturday’s clash with Stranmillis.

The village side were well equipped to secure a result from this match and forged ahead after a quarter of an hour.

Stephen Anderson slid a pinpoint pass into the path of the onrushing Mark Gracey who raced clear of the defence and slotted the ball past the home keeper.

Scarva had chances to stretch their lead during a bright first half display but they couldn’t capitalise and at the other end Stranmillis took advantage of a defensive mix-up to level the score.

Rangers would have found themselves a goal behind at the interval if Maurice Brown hadn’t completed a goal line clearance.

The home side hit the crossbar in the early stages of the second half and Stephen Morton headed a goal bound effort off his line before Stranmillis clinched the goal that sealed victory.

It wasn’t one-way traffic and the home keeper had to save from a Ryan Dodds free kick and a Mark Gracey strike but Scarva couldn’t find the goal that would have rescued a point.

Rangers should not have returned home empty handed but they know they fell short of what was required during a below par second half.

Best for Scarva Rangers – Derek Patton and Stephen Morton.