6 November 05

Culter destroyed last season's title rivals with a cultured second half display with new signing Chris Ogboke having a dream debut scoring with his first touch, making the third and adding the fourth. The powerful hit man looks at this early stage as if he could fill Neil McRitchie boots as the Culter talisman for the past few seasons is Australia bound before the end of the year for the grand tour. Coincidentally Culter signed Chris from Melbourne team Shepperton United. Culter lined up with young Andy Sim at right back for his starting debut and Kevin Christie installed as sweeper for a must win game. The victory sees Culter rocket into the top half of the table.

Both teams took time to settle but Glens were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area which A. Campbell took but he hit it straight at Pirie. A few moments later a Stewart attempt skidded past the post with Riches scrambling along the wet surface. With barely 8 minutes gone Culter were stunned when a Ross cross was met by Bartlet and despite Pirie making a fine stop he followed up to net the rebound. A minute later Shand met a good Morrison cross but his downward header slid agonisingly wide before a fierce Stewart shot was deflected behind for a corner. From the resultant kick, taken by Stewart himself, a good Shand header was cleared off the line by Ross. The next period saw neither team dominate with much of the action confined to midfield until Robb broke free on the right but his wild shot did not trouble Pirie as it sailed well over. With half time approaching Glens gained a couple of corners and Pirie gathered both of them whilst under pressure from A. Campbell and Pirie. At the other end Rattray might have done better than head wide from a good Morrison free kick just on the whistle.

Culter started the second period as if they meant business and a Glass corner was met by Scott who returned it to the winger but his cross from good position was easily taken by Riches. Glens might have gone further in front when Pirie appeared to beat the offside trap but Pirie raced from his line to pull off a great save. Christie was booked for protesting the non offside decision but the Deesiders did get the ball in the net at the other end from Stewart but the referee pulled back play for offside. Culter then handed a debut to Ogboke and moments later the visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and the big hit man stepped up to curl a wonderful free kick round the wall and into the back of the net. Five minutes later Ogboke was homing in on goal and Henry had little option but to bring him down on the edge of the box. The centre half was red carded for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Ogboke was revelling in the match and brought out a great save from Riches as Culter pummelled the beleaguered Glens defence. Culter almost got their noses in front when a good Sim run and cross was met by Shand but his powerful header struck the bar and rebounded to safety. The inevitable did happen in the next attack when a Stewart corner was shielded by Rattray allowing Shand to bury the ball behind the unprotected Riches. In a rare Glens attack Pirie scrambled clear but Christie recovered to get a leg to his shot and the ball spun crazily behind for a comer. Farmer then came on for the hard working Stewart as Culter sought to build on their narrow lead but it was Scott who put the game beyond doubt when he picked up an Ogboke touch deep in the area, following a corner, and he fairly thrashed the ball high into the back of the net. Robertson then replaced Smith as Culter looked to sit back on their lead but it was that man Ogboke who went on a swingeing run but there were no takers for his dangerous cross. Glen's then sent on all three subs as they tried to lift the gloom but it was Culter who added a fourth when Shand made a penetrating run into the box before setting up Ogboke who neatly side stepped a couple of challenges before firing the ball home to complete the second half rout.

Glentanar FC Half Time Raffle (drawn by Albert!): Litre of Smirnoff Vodka - Colin Low, Culter.

Next Week's Fixture - Saturday 12 November 2005 - Soccer World Super League

Culter v Sunnybank (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.00 p.m.

Celebrity Dinner XX. Our 20th Dinner will take place on Friday 11 November 2005 at the normal venue, Dyce Skean Dhu Hotel. The Guest Speaker will be Jimmy Nicholl, Assistant Manager Aberdeen FC. Raconteur is John McKelvie and the Compere will again be Peter Mitchell. Our special bus departs from the Malcolm Road lay-by at 6.00 pm and after collecting everyone in Culter we'll pick up The Palm Court contingent then make our way to Dyce. The Function is timed at 7.15 pm for 7.45 pm.

Playing Pool. We welcome Chris Ogboke to Culter FC's squad. Chris formerly played for Shepperton United; Melbourne, Australia. Chris made a magic debut, scoring with his first kick of the ball when he came on as a second half substitute to transform the game in our favour and added a second for good measure.

OK Ogboke