Hermes Highlight

Culter kept themselves at the top of the pile with a hard fought victory over a hard working Hermes side who fought and harried for every ball but the class of the Deesiders told in the end although the Bridge of Don side gave the champions a late fright when they pulled one back right at the death.

In perfect conditions for the time of year Culter started crisply but Sweeny dealt well with a curling Rattray cross but moments later Sim made a beautifully timed tackle to deny Robertson a sight of goal. Despite the early action both teams were taking time to settle into a rhythm but Culter were awarded a free kick a few yards from the edge of the area as Shand was downed. Stewart stepped up to send in a fiercely bending strike which Sweeney did well to touch behind for a comer. The visitors had a decent chance in the 11^ti' minute when a purposeful run by Robertson saw him drive into the box but his parting shot skated wide of the mark. Five minutes later Culter were saved when Calder popped up on the line to deny Hermes the opener. This seemed to sting the home side into action they went into a period of ascension with both Smith and- Rattray having decent-attempts -blocked -deep in the box before Sweeney was forced to race from his charge to head the ball clear but it fell to the feet of Morrison however 'his cute lob slipped agonisingly past the post. At this juncture the play was getting a little fractious with tackles flying in this fiercely contested match and the game had to be stopped as Morrison went dawn with a head injury. The best chance of the match thus far fell to Craik on the half hour mark when he went on a mazy jinking run but his final shot was lame and Sweeney dealt with it easily. At the other end Hermes breached the Culter defence but Sinclair made a hash o! his effort and the ball trundled straight to Pirie. Craik had another wonderful opportunity near the break when he met a Stewart free kick but his commanding header flew past the upright. Stewart then had an opening when he danced into the box but he chose to pass within sight of the target and the chance was gone.

Hermes resumed the second period with a bit of possession and Pirie did well to save Robertson's shot from an Edmonds cross. Culter then upped the ante and Shand was felled on the edge of the danger area and from the direct set piece Stewart brought out another good save from Sweeney. The Deesiders were beginning to fire now with Stewart and Shand beginning to create openings and from one of these Gibson was on hand to clear a Stewart try off the line. The opener was not long in coming though when Stewart attempted another direct free kick and his seriously meandering attempt was parried by Sweeney but Craik was on hand to thump the ball high into the net. Culter seemed to settle on the slender lead for a while and referee Catto was well positioned when Sinclair went down in the box but play was waved on. Culter woke up again as the half progressed and Stewart had a dig at goal but the ball skimmed wide of the post. As is the norm it seems Ogboke came on for Shand but it was Stewart who almost added a second from a Sim pass but the visiting keeper was well placed to save. From the resultant corner Rattray had a great header cleared off the line and the rebound fell back to him but he blasted wide with his preferred left foot. Ogboke made his mark with less that 15 minutes remaining when he went skipping down the left and Sweeney, not for the first time, raced out to meet him but the big striker showed the deftest of touches by lifting the ball delicately over the custodian and into the back of the net. Glass then came on for Craik with the game apparently won and a few minutes later Thain, returning from injury, replaced Calder for Culter. Hermes were dealt a blow in the final few minutes when Gabriel was less than angelic and his action earned him a red card. Culter were stunned in the last minute of normal time when the diminutive Yeats sneaked a header into the net with the Culter players playing statues. This set up a jittery finish but the old heads of the champs kept possession to deny Hermes any chance of a shock comeback.

 Next Week's Fixture - Soccer World Superleague - Saturday 17 December 2005

FC Stoneywood v Culter (at Polo Park, Stoneywood) KO 1.30 pm.

 

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 10 December 2005.

Half Time Raffle: Bottle Whisky - Craig Murray, Glenrothes, Bottle Wine - Gordon Morrison, 99 Kirk Brae, Cults. 6 Cans Tennent's Lager- Douglas Munro, Hermes FC.        

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition - Alice, Culter Mills Social Club.

Cutter FC 100 Club Organiser Frank Watt held his 4^tl' normal draw and his Christmas Super Draw in The Culter Mills Social Club on Saturday 10 December 2005 and the four normal draw prize winners were as follows:- £50 - Andy Thain, £20 - Lesley Koo, £10 - Jim Gordon, £10 - Eileen Bremner. The Christmas Super Draw winners were £100 Bonus - James "Jeeker" Brown (drawn again by Jeeker!), Special Bottles of Spirits - Glenfiddich Whisky - Allan Menhinick, Bennachie Whisky - Mario DiMaio, Bennachie Whisky - Gus Johnstone, Glenmorangie Whisky - Bruce Duncan, Boxes Chocolates - Peter Stewart, John Murphy, Campbell Imlach and Linda Massie. NEXT DRAW JANUARY 2006. Merry Xmas to all members

Duncan's Day.  Congratulations go to Player Duncan Ord on the occasion of his marriage to Tracy

on Saturday 10 December 2005. Their Wedding Party took place in the Tor-na-Coille Hotel, Banchory.

Free from Festive Fixtures. The NRJFA's decision not to hold fixtures due to the clash with Festive Season dates involving Christmas Eve and Hogmanay mean that there will be no matches on Saturdays 24 and 31 December 2005. Our Lottery will also cease for these two weeks.

Diary Dates.  Early decisions have been made on next year's function dates.     Our Season End Social will be held in The Palm Court Hotel on Friday 16 June 2006 and our Celebrity Dinner XX1 will take place in The Dyce Skean Dhu on Friday 10 November 2006.