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CULTER FC |
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Sunday 24 October 2004 Issue No. 1753 |
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Turriff Triumph |
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Soccer World Super League Turriff United 0 Culter 1 H-T 0-1 Scorer:- Rattray 32 mins. Culter overcame a stuffy United side at the Haughs and should have won more comfortably but for some controversial refereeing decisions, great goalkeeping and poor finishing. Culter have climbed into 4t' place two points behind new leaders Formartine United who overcame Glentanar at North Lodge Park. Culter started well and had the ball in the net early on from Stewart but his fine effort was incredibly ruled out for offside. Stewart had two further opportunities a few minutes later but on the first occasion Will produced a secure save and on the second the Culter striker fired just over. Davidson then had an opportunity for the visitors but failed to trouble Will too much. Henderson had the prospect of scoring for the home side but Pirie saved easily. Craik then found Stewart with an astute pass but once again he shot over from decent position. Chalmers then found Henderson as United struggled to get into the game but Pirie saved with ease. Another dynamic run from Stewart caused panic in the home defence and P. Stewart was forced to head the ball behind for a corner. Culter took a deserved lead in the 32nd minute when a Craik comer was bulleted home by RATTRAY to the delight of the travelling support. Minutes later K. Christie found McRitchie who turned before sending in a cross which was deflected for another corner. McRitchie was gradually getting into the match and he was presented with a chance from a combined Thain and Craik move but his dink drifted just wide. Culter then produced the move of the match, which saw Stewart through on goal, but Will produced a stunning save to deny the speedy forward. Culter kept pressing for a second and a good lay off from McRitchie found Smith lurking on the edge of the area but his volley flashed wide with Will beaten. Stewart was having a field day on the right and just before half time Will conjured up another save to deny the Culter player. At the start of the second period McRitchie released Stewart with a long ball but once again Will managed to thwart him. Culter had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Montgomery appeared to handle in the box from a Craik free kick but referee Swanson and his stand side assistant waved play on. Henderson then had a rare opportunity for the home side but Pirie managed to gather easily. A few minutes later with Culter beginning to sit back Pirie denied McLeod with his feet. Culter were however looking good on the break and Craik went on a fine run before finding McRitchie free in the box but his connection was poor and the ball squirmed behind for a goal kick. McRitchie then won the ball before going on a mazy run and only a last gasp tackle by Wilson denied the striker a shot at goal. In the 19"' minute of the half a sweeping move by the visitors involving Collie Davidson and McRitchie saw Stewart fire barely over with the goal at his mercy. Another fine move saw K. Christie exchange passes with Stewart but he saw his final effort brilliantly saved by Will. Rattray then strayed up field to find Stewart but this time he failed to trouble Will. Craik was then replaced by Ord but it was that man Stewart who almost got the second following good play by K. Christie and Davidson but this time he beat Will but watched in agony as the ball rebounded off the foot of the post. With five minutes remaining Stewart was hauled down in the box for what looked like a stonewall penalty but both the well placed assistant and the referee waved play on. In the very last minute Pirie produced a fine save to deny the home side an ill deserved draw. Culter: Pirie, Cowell, Thain, Collie, Rattray, Smith, Davidson, Stewart, McRitchie, K. Christie, Craik. Subs: Fraser, Ord, Calder, Grant Adam, Next Week's Fixture - Saturday 30 October 2004 -
Soccer World Super League
Our team that afternoon was |