8 October 06

Culter progressed to the second round of the Scottish with a hard fought victory over Saltcoats at Crombie Park. The visitors gave a good account of themselves but in the end the class of the North Champions told. Captain Murray Rattray started the ball rolling and a fine solo effort by Chris Mountford sealed the victory.

The Deesiders started by pushing forward and a dangerous Paul Morrison cross was headed behind for a corner by Jamie Forrest before the same player tried a speculative shot from distance which flew well over. Moments later a flowing move by the visitors was halted when Andy Cowell stepped in to clear the danger. Vics were applying a bit of pressure at this stage without troubling Martin Pirie in the Culter goal but the play was getting a bit fractious and referee S. McKenzie had step in to break up a melee on the half way line. The visitors got their first shot on target in the 17t' minute but Martin Pirie comfortably held Steve McLean's effort. At the other end a piece of Gordon Farmer magic fooled the visiting defenders and he crossed the ball to Davie Calder but his return across the box just evaded Neil McRitchie. With 22 minutes on the clock Ryan Presslie gave away a free kick on the edge of the area and Steve Millar stepped up to curl in a beauty which Martin Pirie was happy to palm over for a corner. Ten minutes later Culter took the lead in fine style when a long throw in from the impressive Ryan Presslie was controlled by Neil McRitchie deep in the area and the burly striker laid back the perfect ball to Murray Rattray who stroked the ball past the diving Dean Sexton and into the net. With half time approaching rapidly Vics almost got back into it when Martin Pirie spilled a high cross and Davie McKee was first to react but his grounder hit the post and Murray Rattray was on hand to thump the rebound well upfield.

The Deesiders started the second period in determined style with Chris Mountford going close from a Gordon Farmer dipping cross before a snap shot from Davie Calder whistled past the post. Vics were far from out of it and Carlo Santi had a good opportunity from a Steve McLean cross but Martin Pirie held the ball with ease. Davie Calder then went on a dynamic run as play swung from end to end and he won a corner off of Mathew Stevenson and from the resultant flag kick Danny Craib headed the ball just over. Steve McLean then went on a super run for Vics but Ryan Presslie prevented him getting a shot in with a superb tackle. As the half went on Vics looked to be tiring and a fantastic cut back from Gordon Farmer was met first time by Davie Calder but his net bound shot was booted off the line by Jamie Forrest. Culter got the second they were desperately seeking when Ryan Presslie sent a long ball down the middle for Chris Mountford and the recent signing outpaced the Vics pairing of Mark Bishop and Ryan Watt to send a clinical strike past the stranded Dean Sexton. This knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and they were rarely seen as an attacking force follc~wing this setback and Culter used all their subs but it was Chris Mountford who almost added a third from a Gordon Farmer corner but his header was cleared off the line by Mark Bishop. In the dying minutes Paul Morrison might have got his name on the score sheet but at the vital moment the ball popped up as he was clean through and he accidentally handled leaving the referee no alternative than to award a free kick.

Culter: Pirie, Cowell, Rattray, Calder (Smith), Campbell, Presslie, Morrison, MountFord, McRitchie (Ord), Craib, Farmer (Craik) Unused Subs. Sim, Stewart.

Saltcoats Victoria: Sexton, McKee, Forrest, Watt, Bishop, McNamara, Boyle (Brophy) (Forbes), Millar, ~ McLean, Madden (Ketty), Santi. Unused Subs. Staff, For6es.

1 Referee: S. McKenzie

Weekly Lottery - Numbers Reduction. Since there were no winners again the numbers available for selection will be reduced by one for the next draw, i.e. 1 to 16 for Lottery dated Saturday 14 October 2006.

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 7 October 2006. Half Time Raffle:- Doug Grant, Culter; Bottle Wine - Arne Bjorkvoll, Dyce; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - John Ledingham, Dyce (all three winners are thanked for donating their prizes back to Culter FC for our next Half Time Raffle). After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition - Bob Lawrence, Bucklerburn, Culter.

Next Week's Fixture - Saturday 14 October 2006 - GA Engineering Inter Regional Cup 1St Round

Culter v Bishopmill United (at Crombie Park, Culter). Referee: T Shaw.

Kick Off 2.15 pm - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes.

Committee Convenes. A Committee Meeting of Culter Football Club will take place in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Tuesday 10 October 2006 commencing at 7.00 pm.

Scoring Statistics. In 14 games played Culter have won 9 games, drawn three and lost two, scoring 40 and conceding 15 goals in the process. Scorers are:- McRitchie 9, Shand 9, Rattray 7, Morrison 3, Stewart 3, Calder 2, Christie 2, Mountford 2, Campbell 1, Craib 1 and Opponent 1.

Saltcoats Sunk