7 May 06

Culter capitulated against a Dee side who were full of running and this puts the Deesiders triple championship aspirations on hold for a little while yet. The Champions never really got going but in an exciting climax they almost pulled something out of the game very late on. With only four matches remaining Culter still are red hot favourites but the nerves are beginning to jangle a wee bit.

Dee took the game to Culter early on with a period of sustained pressure and Pirie had to look lively to deny the opener as early as the 2"^d minute when he pounced on a ball which Scaiffe looked favourite to win. Moments later Milne sent in a vicious cross for Dee but there were no takers. With only 4 minutes gone Brownhill crossed for Smith but his header was woeful, from a free position, and did not trouble Pirie. The onslaught continued when the diminutive Scaiffe was given the freedom of Aberdeen but his header skited wide of target. Culter put their first meaningful attack together in the 25^th minute when the hard working Smith released Sim down the right but the ball stotted at the vital minute and his cross cum shot sailed just over. Culter were dealt a blow in the 28^th minute when Whyte, apparently with nowhere to go, wide on the right somehow managed to sneak past a boorochie of defenders and send a low curling ball into the bottom of the net. This did not seem to act as a wake up call to the men in red and they were almost caught cold when Carstairs almost made it two when clean through but his finish did not match his run.

The early exchanges in the second period were pretty level with the bouncy pitch taking it's toll but once again the Dee speed merchants got in behind a strangely static Culter defence and Scaiffe was on hand to pirouette in the box and send delightful drive past the diving Pirie to double the advantage. This signalled a change for Culter with Ogboke replacing a subdued Farmer but it was Dee who kept on pushing with the Culter midfield as populated as the Marie Celeste. It was no shock that the home side went further ahead with 62 minutes gone and again it was Scaiffe who did the damage with a clever turn and shot in the box which left Pirie no chance. Amazingly Culter got their first shot on target soon after when Ogboke dinked a ball to Morrison but Forbes produced a decent stop. Culter then sent on Ord for Sim as Culter loaded the bases with forward players in a do or die attempt to get something out of the match and Ogboke had a chance to pull one back immediately but Forbes saved well. Glass was the next forward to come on at the expense of Morrison with 15 minutes remaining and he almost made an immediate impact when he flicked a corner to Shand but his effort hit the base of the post. Dee were beginning to feel the pressure now and were chuffed to concede a corner when an Ord shot looked like heading for the top corner. It was all Culter now and Scott had a header drift off target from an Ord corner. In a brief raid Dee had a chance to go four up but Pirie produced a great save from Scaiffe. Smith of Culter was then yellow carded by ref. Cheyne as the frustration began to mount but Culter were thrown a slim lifeline with seven minutes to go when Ogboke got on the end of an Ord corner and powered a header into the back of the net. Moments later Ogboke had a good chance to pull it back further but somehow Forbes managed to snaffle the ball from the striker's feet. Shand then tried to get in on the act as the seconds ticked away and he was desperately unlucky when his dink over a defender took a bad bounce and Forbes pounced on the ball. Culter were throwing caution to the wind now and Rattray ambled upfield to send a thundering half volley just wide. In the dying seconds Dee pushed forward and Smith was harshly given a second yellow card for what looked like a good tackle on Carstairs.

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

Next Week's Fixtures - 9 and 13 May 2006 - Soccer World Superleague

Tuesday 9 May 2006 - Culter v FC Stoneywood (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 7.15 pm. Referee: I Burrows. Saturday 13 May 2006 - Culter v Fraserburgh United (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.30 pm.

Final Fixtures - Soccer World Superleague

Saturday 20 May 2006 - Culter v Turriff United (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.30 pm.

Tuesday 23 May 2006 - Formartine United v Culter (at North Lodge Park, Pitmedden) Kick Off 7.15 pm.

Scoring Statistics. In 40 games played Culter have won 30, drawn none and lost 10 games, scoring 112 and conceding 50 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 22, C Ogboke 16, N McRitchie 12, P Stewart 10, 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.

Committee Convenes. A Committee Meeting of Culter Football Club will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Wed 10 May 06 commencing at 7.00 pm (delayed by a day due to evening fixture on Tues 9 May 06).

Edwin Davidson. We were saddened by the news of the death of 88 Year old Edwin yesterday, shortly after his birthday on Tuesday 2 May 2006. Edwin was a former- player and was in the team pictured at the opening of Crombie Park in 1948. He was a stalwart on my Sunday sweepstake round over many years and was a great friend of my late father Abbie. Edwin continued to support us on a lifelong basis, formerly turning up on his wee motor bike then latterly being taken to our games by his son Steven. Edwin, former Culter Mills worker, former Culter Community Centre Hallkeeper, died in Rowan Court, Cults, and was without doubt a Culter character who will be sadly missed by us all. We extend our condolences to Steven, Ilene and their families on their and our sad loss.

Dee Defeat