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Culter
came back from the dead to earn a draw against a rejuvenated Ellon Side
despite having both Kevin Christie and Paul Morrison sent off in the second
half. In a remarkable match referee Martin Johnston had his work cut
out but in general over officiousness did not contribute to the spectacle.
Ellon
started with all guns blazing and won a corner straight from the kick off
but although the danger was cleared to almost the half way line Donny Adam
pounced and sent a remarkable first timer over the keeper and high into the
roof of the net. The Deesiders came back quickly and a good Davie Calder
cross was howked away at the expense of a corner. United then started
pushing the champions back and Martin Pirie did well to hold a low
shot from Ritchie Whyte. With 19 minutes gone a Peter Stewart corner
was almost flicked into the net by Duncan Ord but the ball fell kindly for
Carson Riches in the Ellon goal. Culter were dealt a hammer blow in the 21st
minute when keeper Pirie felled Whyte in the box and after the hoo-ha had
died down Adam stepped up to send a clinical penalty low into the net.
Morrison of Culter was then yellow carded for an innocuous challenge as the
home side tried I desperately to get back into the match but it was Ellon
who threatened next as Scott Clark thrashed a shot into the side netting. At
the other end Culter had a good opportunity when Stewart twisted and turned
before sending the ball to Calder who In turn found Gordon Farmer but Riches
saved well. The home side were very unlucky not to get one back in the
35th minute when a terrific Stevvart shot cannoned off the post and away to
safety. Farmer then provided a decent corner but Andy Campbell's effort
sailed over the bar. The woodwork came to Ellon's rescue moments later when
a spinning Ord I cross clipped the bar. On the stroke of half time Culter
were awarded a penalty when Kevin Christie was axed in the area but
Calder's poor effort was easily saved by Riches.
Colin
Craik replaced Farmer at the start of the second period but it was Christie
who provided Culter a lifeline with a spectacular overhead kick from a
Calder pass. Ellon were stunned by the reversal and packed their defence and
Ord was unlucky to see his effort from A Stewart cross spin behind. Skipper
Murray Rattray then tried to get in on the act but his goal bound attempt
was deflected behind for a corner as Culter upped the ante. Rattray then got
his name on the sheet when his wicked free kick evaded everyone and nestled
in the back of the net. The impossible now looked possible for Culter and
Danny Craib was desperately unlucky to see his header from a Craik cross
flash wide. Moments later debutant Greg Whyte came on in place of Craib but
Christie,undid his earlier good work by getting red carded. Next to earn the
wrath of the ref was Campbell who was yellow carded for what looked like a a
good tackle on Gary McNamara and from the free kick Adam sent the ball
straight into the arms of Pirie Shand then came on for Ord as the ten
men strived for a winner and a long throw in from Whyte was headed over by
Campbell. !n the dying minutes Culter went down to nine men when Morrison
was shown a second yellow card and Pirie joined him in the book after the
final whistle as the Culter players complained about the standard of
the officials.
Culter: Pirie, Cowell, Rattray, Calder, Campbell, Craib, MorrIson, Stewart,
Ord, Christie, Farmer. Subs: Craik, Whyte, Shand, Smith, Sim
Referee: M. Johnston. Assistants: D. Donohoe and
W Duncan
Match Day Prize Winners
- Saturday 11 November 2006.
Half Time Raffle:- Bottle
Grouse Whisky - Wullie Corbett;
Paul Masson Carafe of Wine
-
Dennis Burnett; 6 Cans
Tennent's Lager -
Nick Child (all the winners
were from Ellon!).
After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition - Val Jamieson, 18
Springfield Avenue, Aberdeen.
Forthcoming Fixtures
Tuesday 14 November 2006 -
Semi Final Grill League Cup.
Hillhead v Culter (at
Hillhead of Seaton) Kick Off
7.15 pm - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level
at 90 minutes. Referee: K
Henderson.
Saturday 18 November 2006 - Soccer World Super League,
Stonehaven v Culter (at
Glenury
Park,
Stonehaven) Kick Off 1.45 pm.
Sunday 26 November 2006 -
Final Grill League_Cup.
Turriff Utd v Hillhead or
Culter.
Playing Pool. We extend a welcome to new signing Greg Whyte, a law
student, whose previous club was Johnstone Burgh.
Dinner Delight. Our 21st Celebrity Dinner at The Dyce Skean Dhu Hotel
on Friday 10 November 2006 was yet another excellent night. President Doug
Jamieson made a first class introductory speech starting with material
prepared by Gordon Morrison who was unfortunately unable to attend as he had
just come from home from Hospital that afternoon. Guest Speaker Archie
McPherson, on the occasion of his 69th birthday, Raconteur Bill McAllister
and Compere Peter Mitchell gave us a memorable evening. The event was
attended by over 200 Gentlemen. Full details of the event will be
published next week.
Scoring Statistics. In 19 games played Culter have won 13 games,
drawn four and lost two, scoring 61 and conceding 18 goals in the process.
Scorers are:- McRitchie 9, Rattray 9, Shand 9, Stewart 6, Calder 5, Farmer
5, Mountford 5, Christie 3, Morrison 3, Ord 2, Campbell 1, Craib 1, Craik 1,
Sim 1 and Opponent 1.
Crombie Clash. Due to the unavailability of Pittodrie the Denis Law
Trophy final between Elrick and Portlethen takes place at
Crombie
Park
on Saturday 18th November with a 10 am K.O. Former Culter player Donald
Buchanan thanks the club for providing the pitch at short notice.
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