21 May 06

Triple Champions Culter drew their FIRST game of the season in this their penultimate fixture in a match that had "end of the season" written all over it. Manager Bobby Gray rang the changes following the title triumph with a few players rested and a coupe missing. On a brighter note the Drumoak Dart, Peter Stewart, returned to the camp following a long spell out and looks certain to feature at the start of the new season.

The game started as a very low key with neither team showing much enthusiasm for the fray with Culter especially finding it difficult to put anything together possibly due to the numerous changes enforced. The Champs did however have the first opportunity when Ord crossed for McRitchie in the 10^thminute but stand in Turriff keeper Stewart pulled of a smart save from the powerful header. Moments later McRitchie twisted before finding Shand who crossed for Morrison and his deep bail into the area was nearly headed in his own net by Wilson of Turriff. United then had a good spell and Pirie had to make a decent save from a Ralton attempt. The visitors kept up the pressure and were awarded when a comer was swung into the box and with the Cutter defence resembling the terracotta soldiers McKenzie. had the easiest of tasks to put the bail into the net with his napper. United continued to dominate for long .periods without threatening too much but again Ra!ton found space in the box before pinging a shot goalwards which Pirie saved easily. Culter did get the ball in the net in the 33rd minute when Craik fed McRitchie but amidst controversy the goal was disallowed. The remaining minutes of the half were scattered with a series of mistakes and poor play and to the relief of the crowd the half time whistle came.

The early exchanges in the second period did little to lift the gloom until a super cross from Ord was mistimed by Scott of United and his attempted clearance went fizzing past the post. Pressley then earned a harsh yellow card for dumping a Turriff player as Culter started to show some fight and MCRitchie should have done better than force a save from the keeper following a good Farmer cross. In an attempt to get back into the game Culter sent on Rattray and Ogboke for Farmer and McRitchie but it was Smith who almost got the equaliser when his pot shot from distance flashed wide. Ralton was next to earn the wrath of the referee when he howked down Ord on the edge of the area before Culter sent on Sim for Cowell. The equaliser did eventually come from an excellent move when Ogboke held up the ball wide on the left before firing in low to Shand who in turn laid the ball back to Christie lurking around the spot and he finished clinically. There was a stramash on the touch line minutes later when the assistant referee called in the man in the middle and Smith was booked and Manager Gray sent off for remarks made. Ogboke almost sealed the win for the Deesiders in the dying minutes when he raced clear but Stewart managed to steer the ball round the post for a corner.

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

Referee: A Donohoe Assistant Referees: G Catto and G Cheyne

Team of the Month. Culter were announced as Team of the Month for February 2006. Culter won all four games that month - beating Wilson's XI 2 - 0 at Crombie in the 3`^d Round of the Dugout Inter Regional Cup, then all three Super League games: 5 - 0 against FC Stoneywood at Polo Park, 3 - 1 versus Ellon United at Crombie then 1 - 0 opposed to Longside at Davidson Park.

Next Week - Final Fixture - Tuesday 23 May 2006 - Soccer World Superleague

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

Scoring Statistics. In 43 games played Culter have won 32, drawn one and lost 10 games, scoring 123 and conceding 52 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 4, 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.

Match Day Prize Winners.

Half Time Raffle: Bottle Grouse Whisky - Sandy Youngson, Turriff;

6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Brian Mathers, Torphins;

Bottle Wine - Yvonne Massie, Turriff.

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition:- Chris Collie, Portlethen.

Culter FC 100 Club. Organiser Frank Watt held his 9th normal draw and his Season End Super Draw in The Culter Mills Social Club on Saturday 20 May 2006 and the four normal draw prize winners were as follows:- £50 - Scott Bremner; E20- Steve Thomson; £10 - Eileen Morrison; £10 - Colin Craik.

Super Draw winners were

£80 -Doug Jamieson; £40- Gus Johnstone; £20- Mario DiMaio; £20 - Dave Calder. Frank says "Thanks again and look out for the poster just before next season".

Last Lottery. Next week's Lottery Draw, Sat 27 May 2006, will take place in Culter Mills Social Club at 1.00 pm and will be the last draw due to the close season break. The Lottery will resume at the start of next Season. The early start on Saturday 27 May 2006 is due to the Culter Gala that afternoon when the Club will be very busy.

Season End Social/Race Night and Annual Awards. Our function will be held in The Palm Court Hotel on Friday 16 June 2006 at 7.30 pm - full details available from Albert - names if wishing to attend to me please.

Drab Draw