23 April 06

Culter moved closer to their third successive Super League title with a comprehensive victory over relegation threatened Parkvale who included former Culter players Marc Small and Kevin Thomson in their ranks. The winning margin should have been more as the Deesiders took their foot off the gas after going two in front early on.

`Vale started at 100 miles an hour as they sought to pull themselves out of the relegation mire but Culter weathered the early storm with Scott having to send the ball out for a corner. A few minutes later Calder had a snap from distance but his effort whistled wide of the post. Following a spell of sustained pressure the favourites went ahead after a Farmer comer which was only partially cleared and somehow Pressley, lurking at the back post, sneaked the ball home past the despairing Hopkins. Moments later a massive show of peevishness from Long earned him a yellow card for melting the ball out of the park after the whistle had gone. Calder then tried his luck again from range but on this occasion the ball ballooned well over. The Deesiders appeared to be on easy street with 20 minutes on the clock when Farmer cut in from the right before sending a left foot skirler high into the net. All the good work could have been undone a few minutes later when Pirie was forced to flash from his area to head the ball dear but it fell kindly to Greig who hit a pot shot towards goal but Pirie recovered well to pull off an acrobatic diving save. `Vale were beginning to press and it took a great sliding tackle by Scott to deny Jappy who was through on goal. With half time just minutes away Culter could have gone three ahead when the dominant Smith sent Morrison skittering free down the flank anc; his cross was met by :McRitchie but his header was deflected behind for a corner: Farmer took the kick and it was met by Scott but he sclaffed his effort wide. McRitchie almost made amend seconds later when his attempt from a Farmer cross took a slight deflection and skidded behind for another corner. The pressure-was-mounting on the visitors and it took a fantastic save-by-Hopkins to deny Morrison.

At the start of the second period Culter continued their domination when Scott was howked down on the edge of the area and from the resultant free kick Shand blasted the ball wide of target. This was to be Shand's last piece of action as he was replaced by Ogboke with 6 minutes of the period gone but it was the sub. who almost got his name of the sheet when he latched on to a great Smith pass but it took a super saving tackle from Long to deny the big hit man. In an attempt to get back into the game `Vale sent on Yakamani and Taylor for Greig and Home but it continued to be one way traffic and McRitchie should have done better from close range after Farmer had whipped in an inviting ball. Ogboke who looked desperate to get a goal was then denied by a good save from Hopkins who was intent on keeping the score down. Smith then reminded the fans of his vision when he produced a wonderful ball to Farmer wide on the left but the Huntly Harrier was too intricate and a good chance was gone. Culter then sent on Glass and Cowell, who was getting his first start of the season following an horrific injury and he settled into his game with the usual aplomb. Glass almost made his presence felt immediately when he latched on to a McRitchie rebound but he flashed the ball wide. In the dying seconds Small who had done well for Vale contrived to steer a cross past his own keeper to complete the scoring.

Culter: Pirie, Thain, Rattray, Calder, Scott, Pressley, Morrison, Shand, McRitchie, Smith, Farmer. Subs: Ogboke, Glass, Cowell, Sim, Thow.

Match Day Prize Winners. Half Time Raffle: Bottle of Whisky (donated by James "Jeeker" Brown - still the same bottle!) - John Long; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager- Graham Shand, Portletfien; Bottle Wine - Frank Watt, Cutter (who is thanked for donating it back to Culter FC).

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition: George McKenzie, Culter.

Next Week's Fixtures

Monday 24 April 2006 - Soccer World Superleague

Wilson's XI v Culter (at Keith Park, Aberdeen) Kick Off 7.00 pm. Saturday 29 April 2006 - Acorn Heating Cup Semi Final

Culter v Formartine Utd (at Crombie Park, Culter) KO 2.15 pm - played to finish - straight to penalties if level at 90 mins.

Forthcoming Fixture - Friday 5 May 2006 - Soccer World Superleague Banks o' Dee v Culter (at Spain Park, Aberdeen) Kick Off 7.15 pm.

Scoring Statistics. In 37 games played Culter have won 29, drawn none and lost 8 games, scoring 107 and conceding 44 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 22, C Ogboke 13, N McRitchie 12, P Stewart 10, M Rattray 9, D Ord 7. D Calder 4, R Cameron 4, G Farmer 4. K Christie 3, C Craik 3, D Glass 3, C Robertson 3, K Scott 3, C Collie 2, Opponents 2, R Pressley, A Sim 1 and B Smith 1.

Albert's Award. I was greatly surprised when Gus Gammie, Awards Convenor of the Aberdeen Sports Council contacted me and invited me to their Sports Personality Awards 2005 Dinner in the Beach Ballroom on Friday 21 April 2006. I was further surprised when he informed me that I had been selected as the year's recipient of the "Sportscotland Award"! I was presented with an engraved Edinburgh Crystal plate for "Local Services to Sport Award". I was accompanied by Ian "Kip" McKenzie at this prestigious awards ceremony.

100 Club. Organiser Frank Watt advises that his 8th draw will take place in Culter Mills Social Club on Sat 29 April 2006.

Birthday Boy. Congratulations go to Gus Johnstone, former fine player and now a Committee asset on his 45th birthday yesterday. Gus joined Culter in 1983 from Dyce and made his debut in a 2-1 win over Ellon Thistle on 13 August 1983.

Parkvale Pipped