Montrose Mishap

Dugout Inter Regional Cup Quarter Final

Montrose Roselea 2 Culter 1 H-T 0-0 Scorers:

Montrose: - Smith 52, Page 79. Culter: - McRitchie 90

Culter failed to master the cold windy conditions and a determined Roselea side who worked hard without playing decent football which was perhaps the correct choice on the day. The Deesiders only started playing once they were 2-0 down but it was too little too late and the coasters held on for a deserved victory.

The first few minutes were confined to the centre of the park as both sides jostled for position but Watson of `Lea had a half chance in the 8th minute but Scott and Pirie combined to deny him a sight of goal. Moments later Findlater had a decent run up the right wing but his parting shot left a lot to be desired and Pirie gathered easily. Culter then began to dominate without threatening with an intricate passing game until Ogboke darted in to send a snap shot just wide. The hard working Shand then set Morrison scurrying free on the right but his low cross eluded everyone and whistled out of the danger area. Culter had a great opportunity to go in front in the 29<sup>th</sup> minute when Ogboke passed to Farmer who set up Rattray on the edge<sup>-</sup>of the area but his blistering drive was heroically blocked by Smith who flung himself at the ball. The strengthening wind was beginning to play havoc with any sort of passing game and `Lea resorted to a route one game but it was Culter who carne closest as half time. beckoned when: a good Farmer run and cross saw McLeod clutch the ball with Shand lurking to capitalise on any mistake.

Culter had a decent opportunity at the start of the second period when Calder picked out Morrison but McLeod reacted to make a reasonable save. A minute later Findlater sped through the Culter rear guard but his attempt at goal flew wide of target.  Soon after a Morrison free kick was pounced on by Rattray but the ball would not sit down and the chance was gone. Culter were stung with seven minutes of the half gone when a free kick was needlessly given away on the edge of the area and `Lea worked a clever short one which saw Strachan's attempt strike the base of the post and Smith was on hand to drill the ball into the empty net. `Lea then made their intention clear when they withdrew centre Simpson in favour of Miller who settled into a defensive midfield role. Culter kept pushing for the elusive equaliser and as manager Gray contemplated a triple substitution `Lea went two up out of the blue when against the run of play Page somehow found himself unmarked in the area and he buried the ball behind Pirie. Before play could resume Culter sent on McRitchie, Smith and Craik for Calder, Shand and Farmer in the vain hope of taking something out of the tie. `Lea tried to put up the shutters but were living dangerously as Culter won a host of corners none of which came to anything. With the clock ticking away the Deesiders were throw a lifeline when Craik escaped down the left, beat a couple of straggling defenders, and centred for McRitchie who chested the ball home. Culter huffed and puffed to bring the tie to penalties but `Lea stood firm to hold on for a fine victory.

Culter: Pirie, Thain, Rattray, Calder, Scott, Pressley, Morrison, Shand, Ogboke, Christie, Farmer.

Subs: Smith, McRitchie, Sim, Craik, Glass.

Soccer World Superleague - Saturday 18 March 2006 (amended fixture)

Hermes v Culter (at Lochside Park, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen) Kick Off 2.30 pm.

Scoring Statistics.    In 32 games played Culter have won 25, drawn none and lost 7 games, scoring 98 and conceding 36 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 20, C Ogboke 12, N McRitchie 10, P Stewart 10, 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.

Montrose Money Men.   

£26 Correct Score Competition Winner - Gordon Laing,  Culter;

Montrose Roselea Half Time Raffle 2nd Prize £5 Winner - Gordon Morrison, Cults.

30 Years Ago.     Culter beat Cove Rangers 3 - 0 at Crombie Park, Culter, on Saturday 13 March 1976 to go six points clear at the top of the Amateur League Division I table.     The Referee was R A Imrie, Ellon, and our scorers were Ronnie Smith, Peter Robertson and Peter George. Team Manager Jim Birse commented that Peter George's last minute goal, our 150^th goal of the season, was worthy of winning the League Championship (we did go on to take the title). This game had family rivalry with the Saddler brothers in opposition - Mike playing for Culter and Charlie playing for Cove Rangers. Our line-up that day was:­

H Steel; G Galashan, G Gauld; G Spry, A J Irvine (Captain), P George; P Robertson, D A Jamieson, R Smith, M Saddler, A Watt; Substitutes: P Longmoor and I MacDonald.

A few days after this game Jim Birse signed Raymond "Doddie" Gibson.

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