Bank Robbery

Soccer World Super League: - Culter 1 Sunnybank 1 H-T 0-0 Scorers: Sunnybank, Derek Craigie 49. Culter, Martin Shand 73

A weakened Culter side dominated this match but let Sunnybank out of jail by failing to turn the superiority into a win. Young debutant keeper Scott Knox did well but will be annoyed at not being to keep out a long range effort from former Culter player Derek Craigie. It was left to top scorer Martin Shand to bring the game level with a good strike from close range.

Both sides started in determined fashiQn on a soggy surface following the recent spell of heavy frost. Peter Stewart had the first chance for the champions but slipped at the vital moment before `Bank were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area which came to nought. Moments later Stewart had a decent strike which flew just wide of Richard Bowman's post before Ryan Presslie had an attempt which Bowman did well to turn round the post for a corner. Presslie almost broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a stinging effort but the ball went straight to Bowman. Two minutes later Bruce Smith tried his luck from outside the box but the ball skittered wide of the post. Bank eventually put together an attack but Derek Craigie shot wide in the 22md minute. At the other end Davie Calder drifted into the danger area but his attempt went wide of the target and a few minutes later Culter put together the move of the match when Stewart and Martin Shand combined but once again Bowman made a crucial save to send the ball out for a corner. With half time rapidly approaching Andy Sim went on a surging run down the right touchline leaving a stream of `Bank players in rhis wake and eventually the ball fell for skipper Murray Rattray but once again the ball failed to find the target. Bank almost sneaked one as the referee looked at his watch but Alistair Reid's effort was comfortably dealt with by Scott Knox.

With the temperature plummeting the second half saw the Deesiders get the first opportunity but Stewart pulled his shot wide. `Bank took the lead with only four minutes of the second half gone when a speculative Craigie drive seemed to confuse Knox and despite getting a hand to the ball he could only watch in horror as the ball spun upwards and trundled into the back of the net. This seemed to inspire the Deesiders and they pushed forward at every opportunity with `Bank rapidly disappearing as an attacking force and they were rewarded with the equaliser when a brilliant and typical ruin from the Drumoak Dart, Peter Stewart saw him put in a perfect , cross for the hard working Shand who blasted the ball home from close range despite the  attentions of Keith Thomson and Martin Cooper. In the next minute Calder thought he had put the Champs in front with a fine shot but it was booted off the line by Anthony Henry. Culter continued to dominate and soon after Shand had the opportunity to double his tally but once again Bowman came to the rescue by sending the ball behind for a corner. With time running out Culter threw everything forward whilst still managing to protect Knox in the Culter goal and once again Shand and Stewart combined but again Shand shot wide. The remaining few minutes were dominated by Culter but they could not find a winner.

Culter: Knox, Sim, Rattray, Smith, Campbell, Presslie, Calder, Stewart, Shand, Christie, Craik. Subs: Craib, Whyte, Morrison, Cowell, Ord.

Referee: K. Milne.          Assistant Referees: W Duncan and D Taylor.

Last Week's Lottery. Winning Numbers for Lottery dated 23 December 2006 were 3, 8, 11, 15, 19 and 20. There were no winners.            £10 Consolation Prize Winners:­

1)         J Strachan, Culter

2)         Sandra and Mary Aitken, c/o Culter Mills Social Club

3)         Anne Hosie, Cults.

Further Fixture Frozen.   The Soccer World Super League match, Culter v Formartine United, due to be played on Saturday 23 December 2006 was postponed because of Crombie Park being frozen.

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 30 December 2006.  Half Time Raffle: (Donated by Committee Member Steve Davidson) Bottle Whisky - Gordon Craib, Culter; Bottle Whisky -- Maxie McLean,  Aberdeen; Bottle Wine - Julie Green, Aberdeen.          

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition: Dave Pressley, Cove.

Forthcoming Fixtures- Soccer World Super League

Saturday 6 January 2007.           Dyce Juniors v Culter (at Ian Mair Park, Dyce) Ref: M McNab. Kick Off 1.45 pm.

Saturday 13 January 2007.         Culter v Turriff United (at Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.00 pm.

Scoring Statistics.         In 25 games played Culter have won 15 games, drawn six and lost four, scoring 68 and conceding 26 goals in the process. Scorers are:- Shand 11, McRitchie 9, Rattray 9, Stewart 8, Mountford 6, Calder 5, Farmer 5,Christie 3, Morrison 3, Ord 3, Campbell 2, Craib 1, Craik 1, Sim 1 and Opponent 1.

Committee Convenes.    A Committee Meeting of Culter Football Club will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter on Tuesday 9 January 2007 commencing at 7.00 pm.