Maryhill Hell

OVD Cup 3rd Round.

Maryhill 2 Culter 1 H-T 1-1

Scorers: Maryhill Dingwall 21, McGuiness 65. Culter, McRitchie 28

Culter arrived back in Aberdeen disappointed that they are not in the draw for the 4th round after matching and then outplaying their more fancied opponents on a typically heavy Glasgow pitch in front of a fiercely partisan crowd. A series of missed chances late in the first and early in the second half proved costly for the Deesiders. Bobby Gray stated that that is the most disappointed he has felt in all his time in football.

'Hill started positively when Murray crossed but Cowell was on hand to steer the ball to safety. A few minutes later Murray released McGuiness and he blasted wide with the goal at his mercy. Culter began to pick up the pace as the game progressed and Rattray had a chance from a Cowell free kick but he headed well wide. Rattray then instituted a fine move involving Adam, Cameron and Craik with the later whipping in a cross that flashed behind for a goal kick. The impressive Essler then tried his luck from well out but the ball flew miles over. Culter had strong claims for a penalty turned down in the 16th minute when Greig was pushed in the box by the giant Gites but both referee Hilland and his assistant saw nothing. At the other end Cocozza sent in a high dipping cross but Allan used his experience to hook the ball to safety. Culter went one behind when McRitchie lost possession on the half way line to Miller who sent a long ball out to the right for DINGWALL who raced into the box before crashing a low drive past the despairing Milne. A few minutes later Adam opened up the `Hill defence with a splitting ball to Cameron who tapped the ball to Christie but his blistering hit was charged down as the ball sped towards the net. Stewart then started his twisting and turning act and was awarded with a free kick which Adam took to Stewart. The electric front man sped away from his markers and sent in a great cross to MCRITCHIE who headed powerfully into the back of the net off the post. Minutes later McRitchie had the chance to put the visitors in front from a Rattray free kick but this time his header was weak and Black saved. Culter kept pushing at this stage with Milne a virtual spectator and a mistake by Essler let in Christie but with plenty of time his attempt went wildly past. Deep in the first half Culter had another chance to go in front when an error by Cocozza let in McRitchie on the left and he strode into the box but fired wide with only Black to beat.

Culter started the second half like a house on fire with McRitchie sending Stewart scrambling clear but Black pulled of a good save. McRitchie was now in the thick of the action and held up the ball before letting in Craik who rounded the keeper and prodded towards the empty net but the ball held up in the dubs and Wilson rushed back to boot the ball away. The Deesiders were flying now and a goal seemed inevitable and once again Adam was at the heart of a dynamic move when he sent Craik away on the left. The winger rounded two players before thumping in a cross for McRitchie but the big fellow could only direct his header just over with Black nowhere. In a rare spell of `Hill pressure they were awarded a corner but it looked more like a foul on Milne who was walloped by Gallagher. With the Culter keeper still limping Gallagher fired in a cross and MCGUINESS rose to send a header past the stranded custodian. Culter continued to pile on the pressure despite this setback and Stewart skinned the agricultural home defence once again but with Cameron lurking Miller cleared at the last gasp. With Culter pushing they were beginning to leave gaps and Milne pulled of a great save as McGuiness raced clear. Cowell, now in the midfield as Thain replaced Christie, went on some great driving runs and he set up Cameron who blazed a shot off the backside of a defender and out for a corner. Milne then came to the rescue again with a fine save from Essler but it was all getting a little tense now. In the dying seconds, Ord on for Allan, flashed in an explosive shot which whistled millimetres over as Culter threw caution to the wind. Unfortunately it was not to be the Deesiders day. Team: Milne, Cowell, Allan, Greig, Rattray, Adam, Stewart, Cameron, McRitchie, Christie, Craik. Subs: Collie, Davidson, Thain, Ord, Grant

Lottery Lapse. In view of the fact that Christmas Day and New Year's Day are both on Saturdays this year, with no games being played, it has been decided that our Lottery will cease on Sat 18 December 2004 and restart on Sat 8 January 2005.

Christmas Closure. The Hire of the Training Pitch to Culter Boys Club will have a Festive Season closure with no hires from 18 December 2004 to 10 January 2005.

Next Week's Fixture - Saturday 18 December 2004 Soccer World Super League

Culter v Stonehaven (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 1.30 pm.

Match Sponsor: John Murphy, Aberdeen.

Scoring Table to Date. In 20 games played Culter have won 14, drawn one and lost 5 games, scoring 63 goals and conceding 22 in the process.

R Cameron	24	C Craik	3	D Ord	2	A Cowell	1
N McRitchie	15	D Adam	2	M Rattray	2	G Davidson	1
P Stewart	10	K Christie	2	D Calder	1

Bulletin Produced by Albert J. Moir Tel. 01224 732006
Match Reporter Ian "Kip" McKenzie