Scarva Reserves bounce back to hammer AFC

Banbridge AFC Seconds 2

SCARVA’S reserve side experienced wildly contrasting fortunes in a week of derby duels.

After being subjected to a comprehensive 8-3 defeat at the hands of Banbridge Rangers Reserves in midweek, a much-changed Scarva Rangers Reserves side bounced back on Saturday to record an emphatic 11-2 win over Banbridge AFC Reserves.

Mark Bicker opened the floodgates with a goal in the early stages of Saturday’s clash at Scarva Park, and carved the AFC defence apart to pave the way for his side’s second, finished clinically by Gary Dodds.

An incisive pass by Greg Douglas released Wes Baird who hared down the left wing and sent a low cross fizzing across the face of goal, leaving Dodds with a straightforward finish to secure his second goal of the game.

Baird and Douglas reversed roles for Scarva’s fourth goal, with the left midfielder sending Douglas clear on the right flank.

He smashed the ball emphatically into the AFC net and moments later another raid down the right flank produced a second goal for Douglas. This time Bicker was the supplier and Douglas coolly steered the ball across the visiting keeper and into the empty net.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic and AFC hit the base of Gordon Magill’s post prior to the half-time whistle, before sending the ball past the Scarva keeper from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Greg Douglas embarked on another powerful run down the Scarva right and fired a low cross into the path of Wes Baird, who drilled the ball confidently home as his side surged 6-1 ahead.

AFC scored their second of the game before Gary Dodds made it 7-2, bagging his hat-trick in the process, from the penalty spot.

Two Scarva substitutes combined for the home side’s next goal, with Stephen McNeill sending a pinpoint cross to the back post. Mark Gracey’s header was well saved by the AFC keeper but Gracey was first to react and thrashed the ball into the unguarded net.

The same players were the architects of Scarva’s ninth goal. McNeill burst down the right and unleashed another exquisite cross and Gracey drifted in at the back post to hammer the ball home.

Gracey then laid the ball off to Mark Bicker, who sent a delightful curling shot into the top corner of the AFC net as Rangers reached double figures.

It was left to Man of the Match Greg Douglas to round off the rout and claim his hat-trick, picking himself up after a foul inside the penalty area to nonchalantly stroke the resulting penalty past the AFC keeper.