West End Win

Dugout Inter-Regional Cup 2nd  Round

Forfar  West End 2  Culter 3 H-T 1-1

Scorers: Forfar: McKenzie pen 16, pen 76. Culter Shand 12, 86, Calder pen 71

Forfar: Vanderdeyk, Nicol, R. Black, M. Black, Gibb, McKenzie, Logan, Leighton, Pirie, Mudie, Hamilton. Subs: Brown, Gellatly, Strachan, Duncan, Stark.

Culter: Pirie, Collie, Rattray, Calder, Scott, Robertson, Morrison, Shand, McRitchie, Smith, Farmer. Subs: Craik, Glass, Allan, Thow

A depleted Culter squad travelled to Forfar and squeezed a win in a controversial match which saw TWELVE bookings, TWO sending off and THREE penalties. Readers may believe that this was a torrid affair but in truth there was hardly a tackle which merited mention and the kindest that can be said is that the local referee had an off day in more ways than one.

Culter started well on tight pitch when Shand set up McRitchie in the second minute but Vanderdeyk pulled off a fine stop. The first of the booking came seconds later, when Logan earned a yellow card for an innocuous challenge on Robertson. Culter went ahead in the 12th minute in bizarre circumstances when a long ball was partially headed clear by Gibb but the ball struck Shand on the head and squirmed past the rooted keeper and into the net. Minutes later Forfar were back in the hunt when a long ball from Hamilton evaded all the home players in the box and fell to Robertson wide on the left but the ball bobbled as it approached him and struck him on the arm. The ref. had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Collie was booked for his protestations. This did not faze McKenzie who stepped up and despite Pirie getting a hand to the ball the ball nestled in the back of the net, The Culter players were still incensed by the decision and McRitchie was next to go into the book. Moments later Culter were awarded a free on the edge of the area but Farmers attempt went zipping over the bar before the same player scorned an opportunity from a Collie through ball. Forfar had their first real chance in the 32nd  minute when Hamilton ran free but he shot wide with Pirie encroaching. Scott was the next to be booked for a tackle which in other circumstances might have gone unpunished before Shand skipped free before driving the ball just over. With 35 minutes on the clock Forfar were reduced to 10 men when Logan was dismissed for deliberate hand ball and a second bookable offence. With half time approaching neither team seemed wilting to put in a challenge of any sort for apparent fear of reprisal but Scott had a chance from a Morrison comer but his powerful header slid wide. The home side should have gone ahead in the 42"d minute when Pirie fed Hamilton but he panicked and shot well wide for a bad miss. Pirie was then booked before Culter looked to have a stone wall penalty when M. Black clearly handled in the area but the official waved play on.

Culter started the second period in the ascendancy but Shand was the next to go into the book for apparently speaking back. With 5 minutes of the half gone Calder went on a swashbuckling run before setting up Framer but his whistling half volley was deflected behind for a corner. Moments later McRitchie was bundled off the ball deep in the area but once again the ref. was not in a position to see the action. McRitchie almost came good a few minutes later when he collected a difficult Farmer ball but the keeper saved his grounder well before Gibb earned a yellow card. A few minutes later Rattray had a chance from a Farmer corner but his header sped wide of target. In the 21st minute of the period R. Black appeared to get a hand to the ball in the box but again the appeals were turned down but a few minutes later McKenzie made a rash challenge on Scott deep in the box and this time a penalty was awarded. Calder stepped up to bury the perfect spot kick to put the Deesiders in front once again. The crowd might have thought that this would settle Culter but both Smith and Calder were soon booked for innocent protestation. West End were back on level terms soon after with yet another penalty when Robertson put in a clumsy tackle and McKenzie stepped up to send Pirie the wrong way. Strachan was next to go into the referee's rapidly filling book but Culter got their noses in front for the third time in the 86th minute when the ball went ping-ponging around the box until it fell to Smith who steadied himself before sending a powerful low shot which Shand steered into the net. Culter sent on Allan and Craik for Collie and Farmer but not before Calder was booked again and sent from the field. There was then an inordinate amount of time added on for stoppages but Culter held onto their lead as Forfar rarely threatened to go forward.

Correct Score Competition £17 Winner - Saturday 22 October 2005 - Jack Davidson, Culter.

Culter FC 100 Club. Organiser Frank Watt confirms that the 2"^d draw of the 100 Club will be held in The Culter Mills Social Club on Saturday 29 October 2005 after the Longside game.

Next Week's Fixture - Saturday 29 October 2005 - Soccer World Super League

Culter v Longside (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.30 p.m.

Glentanar Game - Saturday 5 November 2005 - Soccer World Super League

Glentanar v Culter (at Woodside Sports Complex, Aberdeen) Ref: D Taylor. Kick Off 2.00 p.m.

Committee Convenes  ACommittee Meeting of Culter Football Club will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Tuesday 1 November 2005 commencing at 7.00 p.m.

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