14 May 06

Culter clinched a remarkable third consecutive Superleague title with an emphatic win over relegation haunted United. It was a fine display from the Champions who can now relax for their remaining two fixtures. Hat tricks from top scorer Martin Shand and the enigmatic Neil McRitchie did the damage to spark scenes of sheer delight following the final whistle.

The Deesiders started in confident mood knowing a win would seal the title with Glass prominent early on and it took some desperate defending to deny Culter going into an early lead. This starter however was not long in coming when Shand produced a neat turn and high finish from inside the area for a superb opener. Culter continued to push forward and Glass threw in a comer for McRitchie but his flicked attempt was headed off the line by Whyte as the home team threatened to overwhelm the Broch side. United were almost thrown a lifeline when the reliable Scott cocked up but Bissett made a complete hash of the opportunity. Culter were on easy street with 15 minutes gone when McRitchie engineered space in the box before sending a low drive under the body of keeper Masson. The Champs then seemed to take the foot off the throttle and the game went flat for a period and Culter consistently fell into the offside trap to make the game a start stop affair. The Deesiders however upped the ante and won a series of comers but it was Glass who had the best chance when he headed wide from a Calder pass. Just on the half hour mark United got themselves in a snort but the normally alert Culter forwards did not pounce quickly enough and the chance was gone. Morrison should have added a third on the stroke of half time when he was sent scampering free but his shot did not match his run.

At the start of the second period the hard working Smith went down following a heavy challenge but is was the mark of the man that he recovered and continued to orchestrate from the middle of the park. With 17 minutes of the half gone a sweeping move saw Morrison ping in a low cut back and Shand showed great composure before humping the ball into the back of the net. The champs then began to showboat as Broch struggled to get hold of the ball and it was no surprise when a long Rattray ball found McRitchie in the clear and he showed great composure to round the despairing keeper and send a perfect ball into the empty net. Culter sent on Sim and Ord for Morrison and Smith with the game well won and it was Ord that almost added another when his free kick went diriing past the post. Glass who was having a good game went off for Farmer as Culter piled on the pressure but McRitchie was left kicking himself when he missed when clean through but he made amends seconds later when he beat the offside trap to send the players and fans into raptures. Five minutes before the end the beleaguered 'United defence conceded a penalty when Farmer was upended in the area and Shand stepped up to send the ball into the net although Masson did get a finger nail to the ball.

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

Referee: G Duncan. Assistant Referees: D Taylor and N Robertson.

Tuesday 9th May 2006 Culter took a step closer to securing their third consecutive Superleague title with a fine win over now relegated F.C. Stoneywood who fought hard throughout. The Deesiders always dominated with the midfield looking much stronger than in recent matches.

The Deesiders started as their lives depended on the outcome of the match with Calder charging down the right but his cross ballooned over the bar. Culter looked to have gone in front in the 3`d minute when a fine move involving Glass, Ogboke and McRitchie culminated in Morrison slotting home but the referee blew for offside. Moments later Ogboke setup the recalled Glass and the speedy wide man let go a stinger which was well saved by Marwick. McRitchie was next to try his luck but his toe poke was again saved by Marwick. The burly striker had a better opportunity soon after when he headed wide from a fine Glass comer as Culter piled on the pressure. The opener came in the 16th minute when a corner was cleared only as far as Smith, lurking 25 yards out, and he sent an unstoppable shreiker high into the top corner. In the next minute Glass released Ogboke down the left but the sleek striker opted to shoot with McRitchie screaming for the ball in the middle. Culter had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Marwick raced out and in the attempt of getting to the ball felled Glass but the referee waved play on. With half time approaching `Wood came a bit into the game and the home crowd were stunned Burnett chased what looked like a lost cause and he somehow managed to hook the ball back across goal and Dawson was on had to send a free header into the net.

The Champions resumed with steely determination with Ogboke rampaging down the left and he was tripped in the box but he managed to stay on his feet before feeding Glass who saw his powerful strike saved by Marwick. Calder then had an opportunity following a super turn in the area but he blasted over from not far out. The Deesiders continued to push and were rewarded in the 58 minute when McRitchie shrugged off his unathletic image to send a superb overhead kick into the net from a deep Morrison cross. Shand replaced Ogboke just after the restart as Culter sought to increase the lead and it paid dividends five minutes later when the top scorer was left free in the box and he had the simplest of tasks to rifle the ball home. Soon after Framer came on for Glass but it was Shand who was causing problems and he was desperately unlucky when Marwick stuck out a foot to deny him a fine goal. With nine minutes remaining Ord came on for McRitchie and he was soon in the thick of it when he was on hand to trundle a Calder centre into the net. Morrison should have added to the tally in the last minute but he missed from dose range following fine work by Rattray and Ord.

Culter: Pirie, Cowetl, Rattray, Calder, Scoff, Pressley, Morrison, Ogboke, McRitchie, Smith, Glass. Subs: Farmer, Sim, Shand, Ord, Cameron. Referee: I Burrows. Assistant Referees: A Lovie and W Gerrie.

Next Week's Fixture- Saturday 20 May 2006 - Soccer World Superleague

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

Final Fixture - Tuesday 23 May 2006 - Soccer World Superleague

Formartine United v Culter (at North Lodge Park, Pitmedden) Kick Off 7.15 pm.

Scoring Statistics. In 42 games played Culter have won 32, drawn none and lost 10 games, scoring 122 and conceding 51 goals in the process. Scorers are: - M Shand 26, C Ogboke 16, N McRitchie 16, P Stewart 10, M Rattray 9, D Ord 8. 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, B Smith 2, Opponents 2, R Pressley 1 and A Sim 1.

Evening Match Prize Winners. Half Time Raffle: Bottle Whisky - Sid Newton, Banchory; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Brian Mathers, Torphins; Bottle Wine - Bruce Davidson, Culter (who is thanked for donating it back to Culter FC).

Match Day Prize Winners. Half Time Raffle: Bottle Grouse Whisky - Frank Milne, Aberdeen; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Ian Paul, Banchory; Bottle Wine - Richard Smart, Culter (Frank and Richard are thanked for donating their prizes back to Culter FC.

After Match "Choose Your Team" Competitions: £20 Prize - Andy Thain, Ballater; £10 Prize - Doug Haggart, Culter.

Annual General Meeting. Culter Football Club's Annual General Meeting will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Sunday 18 June 2006 commencing at 11 a.m. The Annual General Meeting is open to all enrolled Members and Honorary Members of Culter Football Club. Any member wishing to alter the Constitution and Rules must submit the proposal along with a seconder 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

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