Broch Bonus

Soccer World Super League -

Fraserburgh United 0 Culter 1 H-T 0-0 Scorer: Martin Shand 83

Culter maintained their position at the top of the Super League with a late winner at College Park, Fraserburgh, on a pitch which did nothing for the beautiful game. The Broch surface was very wet and bumpy with Culter struggling to get their passing game going and it took a late winner from top scorer Martin Shand to seal all three points. Manager Gray and his backroom team had to ring the changes with several players unavailable or injured with Neil McRitchie making his return to action for the first time since his return from Down Under.

The Deesiders started positively when Farmer aptly ploughed down the left to set up Shand but his header was easily held by Masson. Sim then combined with Morrison but the full back's final ball skidded behind on the wet surface. Scott back in at the centre of defence following last week's absence almost let Bisset in when he miscued but the Broch striker thrashed the ball well behind. Culter almost went in front with 15 minutes gone when Morrison moved the ball onto Shand but his cute flick was cleared off the line by Forbes. Despite the surface Culter were attempting to play football on the ground and Farmer won the first of a myriad of--corners-and from Morrison's flag kick Scott ballooned the ball over. At -this stage Broch were thumping in the tackles and Murray was lucky to escape with a warning from referee Lovie when he felled McRitchie. Farmer then set up Shand as Culter dominated but this time Masson i

almost let the ball slip under his body but he recovered to grab at the second attempt. In a rare attack the  homesters almost took the lead when Murray found Wood unmarked 4 metres out but he blazed the ball   over the bar. McRitchie then showed his class at the wrong end of the park when ulveier pressure he sent I a clever ball back to Pirie who cleared spfield. Farmer then went on one of his typical runs and this time l he elected to shoot but the ball whistled just past the upright. Morrison then had a good opportunity from

a Calder pass but he blasted over from good position as Broch weathered the storm. The Deesiders had - the ball in the net in the 37th  minute when McRitchie headed on to Shand but he had drifted offside. Seconds later there was an almighty melee in the home box but at the end of it Masson pulled off an astonishing save to keep the scoreline blank. Farmer should have sent Culter in at half time with the lead when he latched on to his own rebound but once again the ball sailed over from well inside the area.

The second period started much as the first with Culter pushing forward and Farmer found Morrison with a good ball but he struck his shot well wide. Calder almost broke the deadlock with 10 minutes of the half gone when he attempted a deep cross which almost deceived Masson but he recovered to turn the ball over the bar for a corner. The pitch was now beginning to cut up pretty badly and this showed as Culter struggled to make the final ball tell but a wonderful move involving several players saw Rattray power forward but once again his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner. Culter replaced Morrison with Glass midway through the half and he almost made an impact but Masson pulled off a terrific double save to deny the sub. Culter were then awarded a free kick on the edge of the area as the game looked to be heading for a draw and Shand stepped up but his shot flew just over. Culter eventually went ahead with seven minutes left when Shand popped up deep inside the area to poke the bail low into the net. Culter finished on the ascendancy and Glass looked as if he had doubled the advantage late on but he was clearly offside.

Culter: Pirie, Sim, Rattray, Calder, Scott, Thain, Morrison, McRitchie, Shand, Craik, Farmer. Subs: Glass, Allan, Thow, Collie

Referee: A. Lovie

 Forthcoming Fixtures

Saturday 28 January 2006 - Second Round Rollstud Regional Cup - Referee: S McKenzie

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

Saturday 4 February 2006 - Third Round Dugout Inter Regional Cup - Referee: L Robertson

Culter v Wilson's XI (at Crombie Park, Culter). KO 2.00 pm - played to finish (straight to pens if level after 90mins).

Saturday 11 February 2006 - Soccer World Superleague

FC Stoneywood v Culter {at Polo Park, Stoneywood.            Kick Off 2.30 pm.

Scoring Statistics.  In 26 games played Culter have won 21, drawn none and lost 5 games, scoring 86 and conceding 32 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 18, 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 1 and Opponent 1.

Correct Score Competition £17 Winner - Jack Davidson, Culter.

Top Team.   Culter won the Superleague Award as the Team of the Month in December 2005.

Pennants Pursuit. Culter FC continued our fine relationship with John Docherty from Glasgow in his

pursuit of visiting all Junior grounds and collecting every team's pennant.      John and his Grandson Liam who was an active ball boy at Fraserburgh yesterday accompanied him.                      John and Liam drove up from Glasgow, parked at Crombie Park and joined us on our bus trip north. They much enjoyed their day and John has brought his tally of pennants up to 170 with only 6 to go to complete the entire set.

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