M o u n t f o r d  Heralds Hermes Win

Soccer World Super League: - Hermes 0 Culter 1 H-T 0-0 Scorer: Chris Mountford 87.

Culter left it extremely late to get their winning league ways back on track following two successive draws. Chris Mountford was the hero when he popped the ball into the net with only three minutes remaining in a very tight encounter. Both goalkeepers made several good saves to keep their sides in contention.

Hermes started well on the heavy pitch but Courage drifted offside whilst at the other end Gordon Farmer might have done better from good position than to blast the ball well wide. A few minutes later a sparkling run and cross by Peter Stewart was well dealt with by Sweeney. Andy Sim then went on a rampaging run down the right but was upended by L. Smith who was lucky to escape with a warning from referee S. McKenzie. Stewart's free kick was beaten away by Campbell before any of the Culter forwards could react. Courage then had an opportunity for the home side but his finish was poor before Martin Shand sprinted clear and his deep cross was met by Colin Craik who could only send the ball behind for a goal kick. Hermes were dealt a blow in the 14'h minute when defender Freeland was replaced by Gabriel but they came closest to scoring soon after when a Mearns low strike was brilliantly pushed round the post by Martin Pirie in the Culter goal. L. Smith then got booked for a rash challenge before Mearns went tumbling in the box under pressure from Pirie but play was allowed to continue. Soon after for no apparent reason Bruce Smith and G. Pirie were yellow carded for an insignificant tussle in the middle of the park. In the 27m minute Culter produced the move of the match so far when Stewart twisted and turned on the right before sending in a perfect cross for Craik but his powerful headed flashed past the post. Stewart almost opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a deft chip which Sweeney got a hand to and as the ball looked to be rolling into the net it stuck in the glaur. A few minutes later Stewart nearly did it this time from a Craik pass but Sweeney produced an outstanding save to deny the Drumoak Dart. Courage, who was a constant threat for the home side, almost broke the deadlock in the 40th minute but once again Pirie was equal to the task and saved well low to his left. Danny Craib, playing at the heart of the Culter defence, then ambled upfield before stinging Sweeny's hands with a powerful effort.

At the start of the second period Stewart was shown a yellow card as the ref threatened to lose the plot however it was Smith of Culter who had the first strike on goal of the half but he left his shooting boots at home. Kevin Christie then replaced Andy Cowell as Culter tried to inject some life into the match and the sub almost made an immediate impact when he ran half the length of the field before forcing a corner. Sharp of Hermes was next to earn the wrath of the ref and he was shown a yellow before a Stewart free kick from the edge of the area was barged down by the tall Hermes defenders. A few minutes later Chris Mountford replaced Farmer as Culter strived for the winner but Hermes were left with ten men when Gabriel reacted to a friendly gesture by Murray Rattray and the sub aimed a headbutt at the Culter skipper and was shown a straight red. Despite their numerical inferiority the home side almost went in front when a Freeland free kick was met by Mearns but luckily for Culter his effort struck the post. Moments later Culter threw in Duncan Grd in place of Smith and it transpired to be an inspired substitution as he fed Mountford with three minutes left to play and the recently returned from injury hit man picked his spot before burying the ball in the back of the net. Deep into stoppage time Mountford almost added his second with a clinical strike but the ball whistled off the post and away to safety.

Culter: Pirie, Cowell, Rattray, Craik, Craib, Presslie, Sim, Stewart, Shand, Smith, Farmer. Subs: Morrison, McRitchie, Christie, Mountford, Ord.

 Next Week's Fixture - Saturday 2 December 2006 - 3rd Round Scottish Junior Cup

Culter v Linlithgow Rose (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 1.45 pm.

Match Sponsor: Derek Forbes, Forbes Homes, Nethercrossley, Maryculter.

Forthcoming Fixture - Saturday 9 December 2006 - Soccer World Super League

Culter v Hillhead (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 1.30 pm.

Committee Convenes.    A Committee Meeting of Culter Football Club will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter on Tuesday 5 December 2006 commencing at 7.00 pm.

Scoring Statistics.         In 22 games played Culter have won 14 games, drawn five and lost three, scoring 65 and  conceding 21 goals in the process. Scorers are:- Shand 10, McRitchie 9, Rattray 9, Mountford 6, Stewart 6, , Calder 5, Farmer 5,Christie 3, Morrison 3, Ord 3, Campbell 2, Craib 1, Craik 1, Sim 1 and Opponent 1.

Gary's Gold.      Our Player/Coach Gary Thow was in the news this week - he was one of four staff at Capture Imaging who won £17,000 each in the EuroMillions draw.    The story and photograph featured in last Thursday's Evening Express.   Gary is the second Club member to scoop a five figure sum prize this year - in March Margaret Davidson won £10,000 in The Scottish Sun's Cash Mountain Contest.   Luck runs in three's - will there be another big winner?