6 August 06

Lossiemouth United v Culter

Culter did away with North rivals Lossiemouth United fairly comfortably but a couple of defensive lapses almost embarrassed the Cup holders.

The Deesiders got off to a flyer when Calder picked out Morrison wide on the right and his inch perfect cross was met by McRitchie who headed home powerfully in the 1^s' minute. Less than 6 minutes later Culter appeared to be on easy street when a strong McRitchie effort cannoned off the post and Stewart was on hand to steer the ball home. The visitors kept piling on the pressure and Christie went close with a cute lob following a Stewart pass before Stewart almost added his second but Todd pulled off a smart save. The pressure was mounting on the United defence but despite almost total dominance Culter could not find a way past the resolute though beleaguered Coasters rearguard. Culter, though a little too intricate at this stage, scorned a shed load of chances with Christie, McRitchie, Stewart and Farmer the main culprits. United got their first real effort on target just before the interval when a dangerous Laing ball was clutched under the cross bar by the largely inactive Pirie.

United sent on both of their subs at the start of the second period but it was Culter who continued to dominate with Christie-going close-early on. Culter looked to have gone three up when McRitchie netted following some superb flowing football but the ref blew for offside. Culter eventually did make it three and it was a goal worth waiting for, in the 53`^d minute, when Moerison ambled across the middle of the park from wide on the right before unleashing a beezer from 30 yards which flew over Todd and into the roof of the net. McRitchie almost added a fourth following a swaggering run but Todd saved well. In the 61⁸' minute United were thrown an unlikely lifeline when Pirie attempted to dribble out of his area and Alexander capitalised by robbing the big keeper before stroking the ball into the empty net. Immediately Culter sent on Milne and Shand for Christie and Morrison but it was McRitchie who wasted a great chance when he headed wide from a Farmer cross. Seconds later Campbell retired to be replaced by Glass and he almost made an immediate impact when he crashed a terrific shot off the bar and Shand reacted first to send the ball into the net but he was adjudged to have been offside. United had a great chance to reduce the deficit with 8 minutes remaining but McConnichie blasted over from good position. Culter got their fourth when a curling Farmer corner was headed home by Rattray. McConnichie reduced the deficit once again when he pounced on some slack marking to knock the ball past the stranded Pirie in the 85`^h minute. Stewart had the ball in the net for Culter in the last minute but once again the Ref blew for offside.

Culter: Pirie, Craib, Rattray, Christie, Campbell, Calder, Morrison, Stewart, McRitchie, Craik, Farmer. Subs: Glass, Shand, Milne.

Culter v Lewis United

Culter were held to a draw by the hard working 1^s` Division Lewis United who scored late on to tie the opening fixture in Section C of the Grill League Cup. In a competitive 1st half neither side dominated although Park in the Lewis goal had a tremendous double save from Shand then McRitchie. The second period was still evenly contested but Culter went ahead with a goal of the highest quality. Morrison scampered down the right before drifting in a ball which McRitchie dispatched with a flying scissors kick. Culter continued to push forward in search of the elusive second and Morrison almost got it but his rising drive skimmed the bar. With 5 minutes remaining Lewis drew level when Smith side footed home from an unmarked position. Of local interest was the fact that former skipper Graeme Galashan's son Mark captained Lewis and Gregor Moir son of Culter loon John started at right back for the visitors.

Culter: Pirie, Cowell, Rattray, Presslie, Campbell, Calder, Morrison, Shand, McRitchie, Craik, Farmer, Subs: Smith, Stewart, Christie, Milne, Sim,

Referee: A. Lovie

Evening Match Prize Winners - Tuesday 1 August 2006. Half Time Raffle:- Bottle Whisky - Graeme Galashan; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Ryan Thomson; Bottle Wine - Kenny Milne.

Next _Week's s_Fixtures - Grill League Cup - Section 3

Tuesday 8 August 2006. Culter v Dyce (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 7.15 pm.

Saturday 12 August 2006. Cruden Bay v Culter (at Bayfield, Cruden Bay) - Kick Off 2.30 pm.

Prior to Saturday's match against Lossie there was a minute's silence to honour North Region stalwart Jim Grant who Passed away earlier in the week.

Shelter Problem Due to changes in SJFA rules the Shelter at Crombie cannot be used until further notice. This is a big disappointment for some of our elderly supporters but efforts are being made to resolve the problem. Bureaucracy gone madt

Culter FC Monthly Draw (formerly 100 Club). Organiser Frank Watt announces that a new Monthly Draw will begin in September 2006. Please contact a Committee Member for details, cost £20 per year to be paid in full by 31 August 2006. Prizes will be announced when full membership numbers are known and draw numbers will be assigned to each member early September. There will be at least three prizes per month with bonus draws at Christmas and at the end of the season.

Lossie Win but Lewis Draw