Ogboke the Oak in the Acorn

Acorn Cup 1st Round

Culter 2 Stonehaven 0 H-T 0-0 Scorer: Ogboke 73, 88

Holders Culter progressed to the next round of the Acorn cup with a hard fought victory against `Hive who put up a strong performance and can consider themselves a little unlucky not to have taken something from the game. Once again it was Chris Ogboke who came off the bench to seal the tie with two late goals.

The Deesiders started brightly enough in near perfect conditions at a sunny Crombie Park when Rattray had an attempt drift behind from a Stewart corner. In the early stages Stonehaven seemed content to sit back and soak up the pressure and they almost paid the penalty when Stewart drifted free on the right but his shot hit the base of the post and bounced to safety. `Hive then went sweeping upfield and Pirie had to be at his best to turn away a vicious Cruickshank shot for a corner and from the resultant kick Pirie once again came to the rescue when he saved a good header from Barbour. Play was beginning to seesaw now and Stewart had a try fly over from a good Morrison ball. The Coasters then gained another corner which Campbell headed down to Barbour but the giant centre half missed a great opportunity by blasting past. At the other end terrific vision from Shand saw him send a long ball to Farmer but the Huntly Hitman shot wide when in the clear. ' Moments later Stubbs pulled off a good save from Shand who had-been-so-deadly the week before-.-It-was-all action stuff now and once again the Culter custodian showed his undoubted class when he pulled off a low save from a Sim grounder.

At the start of the second period neither team threatened much until Pirie advanced from his line to pluck out a dangerous Cruickshank cross before a good move by CEalter saw Smith fire just over from a Rattray pass. Referee Morag Pirie then produced a couple of yeIIow cards in quick succession as she booked Stewart of Culter and Campbell of `Hive. The game was screaming out for a goal and it looked as if a single counter would be enough to settle this stuffy tie and in an attempt to change the pattern Culter sent on Ogboke for Shand in the 67th minute. Before the powerful striker had a touch of the ball 'Hive almost went in front when Steel flicked a header into the path of Adams who forced another splendid save from Pirie. Moments later Smith almost did the same at the other end but Stubbs pulled off a terrific stop when the shot seemed to be goal bound. Culter got their noses in front in dramatic fashion in the 73rd minute when Craik sent Ogboke free in the area and the big striker blasted home a great opener despite Stubbs getting a hand on the ball. At the resumption Calder came on for Farmer to steady the ship and 'Hive put on Hay and Blacklaws in an attempt to pull the goal back but it was Stewart who thought he had gained a penalty for the home side but the referee  waved play on. `Hive almost got the equaliser they craved for in the 85th minute when a super header from Blacklaws crashed off the face of the bar and away to safety. Seconds later the same player shot wide from good position as Culter held on by the skin of their teeth. With the final whistle beckoning Glass found Ogboke with his back to goal and he controlled the ball with his chest before turning his defender inside out and slamming an unstoppable left foot screamer into the net off the far post.

Culter: Pirie, Sim, Rattray, Craik, Thain, Smith, Morrison, Shand, Stewart, Christie, Farmer. Subs: Calder, Ogboke, Glass, McRitchie, Thow

Match Day Prize Winners:- 14/01/06

Half Time Raffle  

Bottle of Smirnoff Vodka - Mark Greig. , Culter.

Bottle of Wine -lan "Kip" McKenzie,  Culter (who is thanked for donating same back to Culter FC)

Six Cans Tennent's Lager- Angus Duncan,Culter

Choose Your Team Scratch Card - £20 winner - Ian Bryce, Culter. 

Forthcoming Fixtures

Saturday 21 January 2006 - Soccer World Superleague

Referee: Alex Lovie. Fraserburgh United v Culter (at College Park, Fraserburgh) Kick Off 2.15 pm.

Our special bus will depart from Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter at 11.30 am and collect the Aberdeen contingent at The Palm Court Hotel, Seafield Road, Aberdeen at 11.45 am. The bus will depart from Fraserburgh at approximately 5.30 pm for the return journey to Culter via Aberdeen. Fares to be £3 for Adults and £1.50 for Senior Citizens.

 Saturday 28 January 2006 - Second Round Rollstud Regional Cup

Culter v East End (at Crombie Park, Culter) KO 2.00 pm - played to a finish (straight to penalties if level at 90 mins).

Saturday 4 February 2006 - Third Round Dugout Inter Regional Cup

Culter v Wilson's XI (at Crombie Park, Culter) Referee: L Robertson. Kick Off 2.00 pm - played to a finish (straight to penalties if level after 90 minutes).

Scoring Statistics.  In 25 games played Culter have won 20, drawn none and lost 5 games, scoring 85 and conceding 32 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 17, P Stewart 10, N McRitchie 9, M Rattray 7,

C Ogboke 7, D Ord 6. D Calder 4, R Cameron 4, K Christie 3, G Farmer 3, D Glass 3, C Robertson 3, C Collie 2, C Craik 2, K Scott 2, A Sim 1, B Smith and Opponent 1.

Birthday Boys.  Congratulations go to former player George Ritchie and to our loyal supporter/helper John Ogston on the occasion of their birthdays this weekend - George on Saturday and John today (ages withheld!).

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