Scarva Reserves impress but crash out in extra-time

SCARVA’S Reserve side showed an abundance of character in their 3-1 extra-time defeat to Glenavy Reserves in the Mis-Ulster League Cup.

Glenavy are top of division above Scarva, but if they were expecting to cruise comfortably into the next round, they had a shock in store.

Matthew Millar came closest for Scarva early on as they struggled to create clear openings. His well struck shot was cleared off the goal-line.

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The visitors were weathering the Glenavy storm well but a slice of misfortune, when a shot went in off the knee of a Glenavy player saw them falling 1-0 behind.

They kept Glenavy at bay until the half-time interval and slowly but surely began to press forward in the early stages of the second-half with some neat passages of play.

Alan Hammond made a brilliant save to prevent a shot curling into the top corner of his goal and Scarva’s reserve side stunned Glenavy when they levelled the tie with an exquisite goal. Alex Hammond showed great strength to win possession and slide the ball to Gareth Dale who powered forward past helpless opponents and sent a sledgehammer of a shot screeching into the net from distance.

Scarva worked tirelessly to stop Glenavy retaking the lead. Alan Hammond tipped a goal-bound shot over the bar and Danny Cullen headed off the line. Cullen and his defensive colleagues were immense. Ernie Hammond won every aerial battle despite suffering injury in the early stages, Gareth Anderson had an inspired game and David McCabe filled in admirably at right back.

With no further goals in normal time, Glenavy scored twice in extra-time to send Scarva out.

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