Sunny Delight

Culter came back from the dead to record a last gasp victory over league leaders and arch rivals Sunnybank in an enthralling game at Crombie Park. The champions looked to be heading for an inauspicious defeat but `Banks discipline let them down and the arrival of Chris Ogboke as a second half substitute changed the game. Culter are now only a point behind joint leaders `Bank, Banks O'Dee and Wilson's.

In an astonishing start Culter took the lead with less than a minute on the clock when Shand fed Stewart who thrashed the ball into the back of the net from inside the area. The Deesiders could have gone two up three minutes later when a Morrison cross was met by Craik but he flashed the ball wide of Mclntosh's post. `Bank came storming back into it and Somers should have done better than fire past from a Wilson ball. The equaliser came soon after when a fine run and cross by Thomson fell to Shand deep in the penalty box and he had the easiest of jobs of side footing the ball home. A minute later Stewart attempted to add to his tall with a curling free kick but the attempt cannoned off the defensive wall. It was all action stuff and' 'Bank took the lead in the 16th minute when a clearing Christie header arrived at the feet or Douglas and- he sent a fantastic shot-,past the diving Pirie and high into the net. The visitors had their tails up at this stage and were looking threatening but an Anderson cross was headed into Pirie's arms by Somers. Culter however were by no means out of it an Anderson had to hook a dangerous Shand cross behind for a comer and from the flag kick Scott could do no better than head the ball back across goal where a grateful Mclntosh clutched the ball. A few minutes later Smith had a chance from a Scott free kick but he snatched at the ball and his try trundled harmlessly wide. At the other end a wicked Rintoul cross was eventually gathered by Pirie. Play was ebbing and flowing from end to end but Culter were beginning to gain the upper hand but Stewart was disappointed to see his snap-shot fly just over before the same player found Shand but his header for goal was a tad on the high side. Just on the interval `Bank had a great chance to go further ahead when a corner was met by Wilson but he headed over when completely unmarked.

Culter came out fighting at the start of the second period as the poor conditions began to deteriorate but it was Shand of Culter who had the chance from a Stewart comer but he nutted the ball behind for a goal kick. This was Shand's last piece of action as new hero Ogboke came on in his stead. Anderson of `Bank was yellow carded as Culter tried to apply the screw then Ogboke held the ball up well for Craik but he timed his run poorly and the chance was gone. Craik almost made amends a few minutes later when he squared the ball for Christie but he blasted the ball well wide. The visitors were reduced to 10 men with 69 minutes gone when Anderson was sent packing for a second bookable offence. Farmer then came on for Sim as Culter tried to force something from the game but almost out of nothing Pirie of `Bank forced a great save out of his namesake in the Cuiter goal. Moments later Culter were right back in it when a resolute Farmer run saw him pick out Ogboke and to the delight of the Culter contingent he blasted the ball past the hapless Mclntosh. This seemed to galvanise the visitors and it took a brave tackle by Smith on Somers to keep the game even. The large crowd had a match on their hands now as `Bank held on for dear life but all their hard work was undone in the 90<sup>tt</sup>' minute when a,hopeful Stewart attempt was bundled into his own net by the dejected Pirie. `Bank were dealt a further blow deep into stoppage time when Rintoul was given a straight red for apparent petulance.

 

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 12 November 2005.       Half Time Raffle: Bottle Whyte & Mackay Whisky (donated by John Brown, Culter) - Angus Duncan, Culter; Bottle Wine - Gordon Taylor; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Doug Smith.   

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition: Frank Watt,Culter.

Draw Date.       Next Week's Lottery Draw will take place in Culter Mills Social Club on Saturday 19 November 2005 at 4.00 p.m.

Next Week's Fixture -Grill League Cup Final -Sunday 20 November 2005

Formartine United v Culter (at Heathryfold Park, Aberdeen) Kick Off 12 noon. Played to a finish - straight to penalty shoot out if level at 90 minutes.

Referee: Garry Duncan. Assistants: Alex Lovie and Bill Gerrie. 4^th Official Scott McKenzie.

 Dinner Delight  Our 20^th Celebrity Dinner at The Dyce Skean Dhu on Friday 11 November 2005 was another great night. President Doug Jamieson made an excellent introductory speech and Gordon Morrison surpassed himself with an amazing Grace! Guest Speaker Jimmy Nicholl, Raconteur John McKelvie and Compere Peter Mitchell did us proud. The event was attended by just under 200 Gentlemen.  Full details of the event will be published next week.