THE REVENGE Banbridge AFC Reserves inflicted on Scarva Rangers Reserves was as swift as it was sweet.

 

On Saturday 10 April Scarva had subjected their derby rivals to an 11-2 defeat but 18 days later in Banbridge it was payback time.

 

A much-changed AFC side made a perfect start to last Wednesday night’s clash at the Tech pitch, heading past Gordon Magill with their first attack of the match.

 

Only a series of exceptional goal saving challenges from Scarva’s commanding centre half Brian Topley prevented the home side building an unassailable lead.

 

Scarva had some chances of their own, the best a Gary Dodds shot that was blasted wide of the target, and with half-time approaching they were on level terms courtesy of a mix-up in the home defence.

 

Life got even better for the visitors after the half-time interval when substitute Mark Bicker cleverly chipped the ball into the path of player manager Mo Brown, whose perfectly executed strike flashed between AFC’s helpless keeper and his near post.

 

The lead didn’t last long. AFC Reserves equalised with a header from a corner and controversially took the lead when the referee awarded a penalty against Brian Topley after the ball landed on his arm as he lay prone on the ground.

 

The home side’s alert attacker nipped in between Magill and Brown to score the Banbridge side’s fourth goal.

 

As full time approached the home keeper produced an excellent save to tip John Cullen’s scintillating strike over his crossbar and extinguish Scarva’s hopes of mounting a late rescue mission.