Longside Lift

Culter kept their winning run in the Super League going with the narrowest of victories over a competent yet uninspiring Longside outfit who rarely threatened the visitors' goal. Much of the match was marred by some "interesting" refereeing decision by Mr Donohoe.

The Deesiders started strongly enough at a bitter Davidson Park and won a corner with their first attack of the match. The first few minutes were all Culter as they camped in the `Side half and Farmer drifted onto an Ogboke pass but Beddie recovered to send the ball behind for a corner. With 10 minutes gone the home side mustered an attack when Cowie collected the ball wide but his cross ~ was easily dealt with by Pirie. Moments later Farmer went down in the box but referee Donohae waved the strong claims aside and pointed to the flag for a corner kick. Longside then upped the pace a little and Pirie produced a good save from a McRobbie attempt before Ogboke found Morrison-whose flick fell just behind the-bar. Calder then produced a bit of wizardry but he was unfortunate to see his deep cross strike the top of the bar and away to safety. Culter almost took the lead in the 33^rd minute when Morrison picked out Ogboke in the danger area but the big striker's snap shot flew narrowly wide. A few minutes later at the other end McRobbie had a great chance to open the: scoring from good position but he fired straight at the well positioned Pirie. Just before the interval Farmer won a free kick and from the ball in Ogboke tried his luck but the ball found the side netting.

Right at the start of the second half referee Donohoe produced yellow cards for Shand and Morrison of Culter but to all and sundry there appeared to be no apparent reason. Longside then took territorial control without ever threatening but Culter got a sniff when Farmer sent in a cross to the strangely subdued Shand but he headed well over. The Deesiders took the lead in emphatic fashion in the 9^t minute of the half when Farmer selected Ogboke in the box and he flashed the ball behind Simpson for a glorious opener. This seemed to spring Longside into life and they had a decent chance when Stephen was given an opportunity but he shot straight down the throat of Pirie. Culter gradually came back into it and Scott had a header shave the bar from a Farmer corner. There was further controversy in the 24^th minute of the half when to the astonishment of all the home side were awarded a penalty but justice was done when Pirie pulled off a remarkable save from Stephen's spot kick. The Buchan loons kept pressing for the elusive equaliser but they could not manage any credible shots on goal. Culter sent on Smith for Pressley with 15 minutes remaining and then McRitchie for Ogboke but it was Shand who almost put the game beyond the home side from a Morrison pass but he stroked the ball just past the post. McRitchie had a golden opportunity in the closing stages when he pounced on a Farmer square ball but he pushed the ball wide of target with the goal at his mercy.

Culter: Pirie, Thain, Rattray, Calder, Scott, Pressley, Morrison, Ogboke, Christie, Farmer. Subs: Stewart McRitchie, Glass, Ord, Smith

Referee: D. Donohoe

Next Week's Fixture - Dugout Inter Regional Cup 4th Round - Saturday 4 March 2006

Montrose Roselea v Culter (at Broomfield Park, Montrose).       Referee: C Duncan   Kick Off 2.15 pm - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes.

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 Montrose at approx 5.30 pm for the return journey to Culter via Aberdeen. Fares to be £3 for Adults and £1.50 for Senior Citizens/Children.

Forthcoming Fixtures

Acorn Heating Cup 2nd Round - Saturday 11 March 2006

Culter v FC Stoneywood (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.15 pm - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level after 90 minutes.

Soccer World Superleague - Saturday 18 March 2006

Culter v Turriff United (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.30 pm.

Scoring Statistics.  In 31 games played Culter have won 25, drawn none and lost 6 games, scoring 97 and conceding 34 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 20, C Ogboke 12, P Stewart 10, N McRitchie 9,

M Rattray 9, D Ord 6. D Calder 4, R Cameron 4, K Christie 3, C Craik 3, G Farmer 3, D Glass 3, C Robertson 3, K Scott 3, C Collie 2, A Sim 1, B Smith 1 and Opponent 1.

Longside Luck.      

£17 Correct Score Competition Winner - Frank Milne, Aberdeen;

Half Time Raffle 18' Prize £10 - Stuart "Dobz" Hart, Culter;

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Winner - Gordon Laing, Culter.

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