Acorn Cup Semi Final: Culter 1 East End 0 H-T 0-0
Scorer: - McRitchie 90th minute
Culter reached the final of the Acorn Cup where they meet Sunnybank who
overcame title rivals Turriff after extra time and penalties. In the
Super League Glentanar came to within a point of the champions when they
overcame Banks O' Dee at Spain Park, 0-1, courtesy of an own goal. The
game at Crombie Park was a dour affair with relegated East End having
the upper hand early on but Culter persevered and ran out worthy
winners.
End were first out of the blocks and had a great chance in the 4th
minute when Gaims crossed to Shinnie who blasted wide from good
position. A minute later a fantastic strike by Dykes dirled off the post
with Pirie beaten before Simpson shot well wide. Gaims was first to be
carded for diving in 10 minutes prior to Barr making a good run and
cross which Pirie held well. Culter were struggling to get out of their
own half at this stage and Simpson should have done better when he was
let in by Marr. The Deesiders first meaningful attack came in the 32nd
minute when Stewart scampered away before sending in a deep cross which
Stewart of End was happy to head behind for a comer. Culter were
beginning to get back into it and a super move involving McRitchie and
Cameron saw the latter have a shot sent behind for a comer by Shinnie.
McRitchie did eventually get a try on target for the home side in the
40th minute from a Rattray free kick but his header was easily saved by
Robinson. Near the end of the half Stewart again sent in a telling cross
that Stewart of End sliced over the bar for a corner. At the start of
the second half Stewart had a brilliant chance to put Culter in front
but he chose to try and pass to McRitchie when clean through and
the opportunity was gone. Minutes later Dykes earned a yellow as
frustration began to grow in the End camp before McRitchie put a chance
into the side netting from an Ord free kick. The same player was unlucky
soon after when he struck the post following another Ord free kick: ln a
rare second half break McKenzie of End ran through but shot well wide.
This was a brief respite from the onslaught as Calder found Cameron who
set up Adam who hit the post with his crisp drive. Culter were well on
top now and Christie toe poked an attempt just wide from a McRitchie
pass. The woodwork came to the rescue for End again in the 30th minute
of the half when McRitchie laid the ball back to Adam in the area. In
the last minute of normal time Culter were awarded a free on the edge of
the area on the right and Ord whipped in his cross for MCRITCHIE to head
the ball home as extra time loomed.
Culter: M.Pirie, Cowell, Greig, Calder, Rattray, Adam, Stewart, Cameron,
McRitchie, Ord, Christie. Subs: Craik, Smith, Allan, Davidson, Thain.
Tight at the Top
With just a few league games remainin the to of the Soccer World Super
League looks like this:
Team
P Games Left W
D L F A
G/D Pts
Culter 23
3
18 1 4 65 18
47 55
Glentanar 23
3
17 3 3 51 18
34 54
Turriff
21 5
15 3 3 42 23
19 48
-
Culter play Stonehaven
and Turriff at home and Glentanar away
-
Glentanar play Sunnybank
and Culter at home and Turriff away
-
Turriff play Glentanar
and Maud at home and Banks O'Dee, Maud and Culter away.
Most welcome visitors at Crombie Park yesterday were former players
George (Dod) Ritchie and Jim Wright. Jim is thanked for his donation to
club funds.
Former players are always welcome at Crombie Park.
Scoring Table to Date.
In 37 games played Culter have won 27, drawn two and lost 8 games,
scoring 108 goals and conceding 33 in the process.
R Cameron 39 C Craik
6 M Rattray 3 A
Cowell 1
N McRitchie 28 D Adam
4 D Ord 3
G Davidson 1
P Stewart 15
K Christie 4 D Calder 2
M Greig 1 A
Thain 1
Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 7 May 2005.
Half Time Raffle: Bottle Grouse Whisky (donated by Edwin Davidson) -
Douglas Duncan; Bottle Wine - A McCombie; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Allan
Menhinick, Aberdeen.
After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition: Kevin Christie,
Culter FC.
Crombie Clash -Tuesday 10 May 2005. Culter Boys' Club Under 13s
are programmed for a match at Crombie Park, Culter - Kick Off 6.30 pm.
Next Week's Fixture - Friday 13 May 2005 - Soccer World
Superleague
Culter v Stonehaven (at Crombie Park, Culter). Kick Off 7.15 p.m.
Forthcoming Fixtures - End of Superleague Programme 2004/2005
Saturday 21 May 2005 - Culter v Turriff Utd (at Crombie Park, Culter)
KO 2.30 p.m. Tuesday 24 May 2005 - Glentanar v Culter (at Woodside,
Aberdeen) KO 7.15 p.m.
