30 April 06

Monday 25th April :

Culter's stranglehold on the Super League was strengthened at a windy Hillhead of Seaton Park against Wilson's XI in a controversial game which saw three penalties. Only a total collapse would now deny the Champs from making it three on a row.

Culter started with the stiff breeze at their backs but it was the home side who had the 1st opportunity but Pirie saved easily. In the 9th minute Calder missed a sitter after Rattray and Ogboke combined. McRitchie then exchanged passes with Sim before letting in Ogboke but the big striker's effort was blocked for a corner. With half an hour gone Culter won a penalty when Lewis was adjudged to have bundled Ogboke in the box. Calder stepped up to send a grounder bouncing under the diving keeper. There was little action for the remainder of the period as both teams struggled in the wind but Sim did manage to get in a header from a Morrison pass but it ballooned over the bar.

The Deesiders had a good chance early in the second half when Calder set up Ogboke but he blasted the ball wide. The same two combined again moments later but this time Ogboke elected to blast the ball across the face of goal and . despite an attempt by McKenzie to clear the ball ended up in the back of the net. The home side were thrown a lifeline minutes later-when-Scott upended -a-Wilson's forward and he was booked for-his-trouble.-England-tcwk-a clinical-penalty to reduce the deficit. Incredibly a little while later Culter were awarded another penalty when Morrison was felled in the box by Lewis and this time Calder did the business by sending the keeper the wrong way. Culter continued to dominate , the remaining time with Smith and Ogboke both going close but the damage had been done and Culter march on relentlessly.

Saturday 29th Aprii

Holders Culter cashed out of the Acorn Heating cup at the semi-final stage thanks to a largcay, inept first half I performance against Formartine who clung on for a deserved victory. The Deesiders were strangely subdued and only really got going in the second period.

United started with the-wind at their backs and-were-soon into their stride and won a corner. From the resultant kick Binnie was allowed space in the box but he headed wide. At the other end Farmer found Shand, back in the starting line up, but his cross was blootered away by Graffin. The visitors took the lead in 12th minute when a rare mistake by captain courageous Rattray let in Reid and despite a great save by Pirie, Gauld followed up to ram the ball home. The home side were dealt a devastating blow in the 17th minute when following a sweeping move Gauld was once again on hand to strike the ball behind a despairing Pirie. This seemed to have positive effect on the Culter team who suddenly seemed to wake up and they started to take the game to the Pitmedden side with Pressley going close after a driving run. Sim then released Shand but his shot was bravely blocked by a resolute United rearguard. With half time on the way Ogboke went on a meandering run but his finish stotted wide of the post.

Culter were thrown a lifeline early on in the second half when a cross cum shot from Ogboke deceived Christie in the United goal and somehow ended up in the back of the net. The same player had a chance to tie the match moments later but Christie pulled of a fine save at the expense of a corner. Culter then sent on Morrison for Sim, who had been having a fine game, in an attempt to get something out of the match but it was all huff and puff but although they were forcing United deep into their own territory they could not find a way through. Veteran Ord then replaced Smith late on but despite an easy chance from Ogboke who headed wide from great position United held on for a deserved win which sees them take on Parkvale in the final.

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

Referee: C.Sim

Next Week's 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 39 games played Culter have won 30, drawn none and lost 9 games, scoring 111 and conceding 47 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 22, C Ogboke 15, N McRitchie 12, P Stewart 10,

M Rattray 9, D Ord 7. D Calder 6, 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 1, A Sim 1 and B Smith 1.

Culter FC 100 Club. Organiser Frank Watt held his 8^thdraw in Culter Mills Social Club on Saturday 29 April 2006 and the four prize winners were as follows:- £50 - Roddy Cameron; £20 - Shaun McCombie: £10 - Alice Gall; £10 - George Fraser. Frank advises that next month's draw will be the last of the Season and will comprise of two draws. Prizes areas above and a "Super Draw" for four prizes - £80, £40 and 2 x £20. Frank, on behalf of Culter FC, expresses thanks to all participants and he is looking forward to an increased membership next Season.

Match Day Prize Winners. Half Time Raffle (All Prizes donated by former Culter FC player Gordon Buist): Bottle of Grouse Whisky - John Ledingham, Aberdeen; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Graham Morrison, Aberdeen; Bottle Wine - Ian Park, Banchory;

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition: - Eric J Duncan, Aberdeen.

Committee Convenes. A Committee Meeting of Culter Football Club will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Tuesday 9 May 2006 commencing at 7.00 pm

Super League Lift but Cup of Woe