Grill Glory

Culter added their first Grill Cup to their impressive tally of silverware with an accomplished if yet dogged display against a young Formartine side who fought all the way but could not answer the experience of the Deesiders. In the end it was a comprehensive victory for the suburbian specialists who thoroughly deserved the victory. New recruit Kyle Scott was outstanding at the heart of defence but there were no failures with Murray Rattray, captain fantastic, organising his in experienced back row but special mention must go to elder statesman Bruce Smith and the ever improving Andy Sim.

Despite the occasion the match started pretty low key with neither team gaining advantage until Shand popped up with a half chance from a Rattray pass but Christie pulled off a remarkable save. United then went on a period of domination but failed to trouble Pirie who had little to do until Reid had a good chance from a header but he aimed the ball straight at the Culter keeper. Stewart of Culter then went on a typical swingeing run but he was upended on the edge of the area and from the ensuing free kick Shand struck the post With Christie scrambling like a fish" out of water. United came racing back into it and great double interception by Scott and Christie denied Reid a good opportunity. Stewart then upped the anti for Culter when his persistence let Calder in on the right but Graffin stuck to his guns and sent the ball behind for a flag kick. It was far from exciting stuff for a final but both teams kept excerpting exceptional aptitude and the young United team were almost rewarded when a goal bound Corsar header was cleared of the line by Scott. The exuberance of the young at heart Formartine team was beginning to draw much admiration and Rattray had to use all his auld heid knowledge to deny Reid an excellent chance. As the half went on Culter began to find their rhythm and they began to worry their less experienced opponents with Shand and Stewart particularly persistent in the offensive department and it took an instinctive save from Christie to deny Morrison following a disparaging foul on Stewart. At the end of the period Rattray in his usual role of saviour did well to make sure Reid did not get a cross in after a great ball from K. Fraser.

The second half started pretty evenly with plenty of petty fouls in the centre of midfield before the opener that the game was crying out for came. Craik, who had been quiet but effective, sprung his marker and before he slid the ball into Stewart deep inside the box and despite a despairing attempt at a save from Christie the ball nestled in the back of the net for the opener in the 55^th minute. The way things were going that looked as if that would be the winner but both sides employed an array of substitutes in an attempt to swing the game with the enigmatic Ogboke replacing Shand for Culter and Craib coming on for United. A few minutes later hero Stewart was replaced by the feisty Farmer but it was Smith, Culter's longest serving player who had the ball in the net following a majestic Morrison ball but to his chagrin he was deemed to have been offside. United at this stage were beginning to wilt but they kept plugging but they could not see a way past resolute Rattray and Co. Culter had the cup won with less than 10 minutes to go when Farmer picked out the lung bursting run of Calder and he ghosted into the box to take a special pass before simply steering the ball past the stranded Christie. The game was over as a contest by now but to their undying credit United kept pushing and it took a spectacular save by Pirie near the end to deny McLeod a consolation.

This is the 1^st time that Culter have won the Grill League Cup and the celebrations at the end showed it.

 

Forthcoming Fixtures - Soccer World Superleague

Saturday 26 November 2005. Parkvale v Culter (at Findon Park, Portlethen) KO 1.45 pm.

Saturday 3 December 2005.  Culter v Banks o' Dee (at Crombie Park, Culter) KO 1.30 pm.

Cup Competition.   The draw for the Rollstud Regional Cup has resulted as follows for Culter:­

Second Round - Culter v East End (at Crombie Park, Culter) on Saturday 28 January 2006.

Committee Convenes. A Committee Meeting of Culter Football Club will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Tuesday 6 December 2005 commencing at 7.00 pm.

 

Crombie Clash.    R Cup Tie was played at Crombie Park at short notice on Wed 16 November

2005 due to Spain Park suddenly being unavailable. The exciting match featured Aberdeen against North of Scotland in the seniors Scottish Schools Cup Competition. Brian Angus, in charge of the Aberdeen team, was most grateful to ur Groundsman Gordon Laing for his ready help in their use of Crombie Park on the wintry but sunny afternoon.    Aberdeen won 3 - 2 withgoals from Stewart and a brace by Man of the Match Djahansouzi.  The Referee was W Young