SCARVA RANGERS RES 3 DONACLONEY RES 0

PATIENCE paid off for Scarva Rangers Reserves at the weekend as they finally recorded their first victory of 2010.

 

After a disappointing sequence of three straight defeats, a clash with bottom of the table Donacloney Reserves presented a perfect opportunity to return to winning ways.

 

But it was the visitors who had the game’s first big chance when they won an early penalty.

 

The spot kick was dragged wide of Wayne Dodds’ goal and Scarva made the most of the let off when they were awarded a penalty of their own a short time later.

 

Captain Freddie McKelvey cleverly waited until the visiting keeper dived and steered the ball coolly the other way to put his side ahead.

 

Wes Baird propelled a superb deep cross to the back post and when Mark Gracey’s header was saved Scott Jardine stabbed the loose ball home from close range to give Scarva a 2-0 cushion before the break.

 

Scarva enjoyed the majority of the possession and carried the greater attacking threat in the first half but it wasn’t all one way traffic.

 

After conceding that early penalty the hosts had a second lucky escape when the visiting striker sent a stunning long range strike crashing against the Rangers crossbar.

 

Donacloney rarely threatened after the interval and after a lacklustre period at the beginning of the second half, the home side stepped up a gear and created, but couldn’t capitalise on, a succession of chances.

 

Wes Baird and Gary Dodds both headed wide of the target and player manager Mo Brown was desperately unlucky not to connect with a terrific free kick from Danny Cullen.

 

The third goal came from striker Gary Dodds, a fine solo run rounded off with a shot that lacked pace but had enough direction to creep past the keeper and into the corner of the net.

 

The 3-0 win reflected the home side’s superiority and more clinical finishing would have delivered an even more emphatic margin of victory.

 

Best for Scarva Rangers Reserves was Scott Jardine, who proved in his first start since returning from injury what a major miss he has been with a dominant display in the heart of midfield. There were also impressive performances from left sided midfielder Wes Baird and attacker Gary Dodds.

 

Scarva Rangers FC would like to thank Jim Patton who sponsored a match ball.