Ellon Edged Out

Soccer World Super League Ellon United 0 v Culter 2 Half Time: 0- 0 Scorers' Martin Shand 63, Danny Craib 83

 Following a week of inactivity Culter got their winning ways back on track and are now sittin in third place 3 points behind new leaders Sunnybank but with 3 games in hand. The match was not much of a spectacle for the fairly large crowd and Ellon now find themselves deep in the relegation glaur with games running out.

The Champions started as if they meant business and a fine run and cross by Andy Sim was howked away to safety k Stuart Batty before a decent attempt by Paul Morrison was easily dealt with by Mitchell McKenzie in the Ellon goal. A few moments later United had a half chance when Barry Gray crossed for Gary McNamara but Martin Pirie handled the effort with consummate ease. Martin Shand then won a corner for Culter and from the Peter Stewart flag kick Duncan Ord h2 a fine header saved by Mitchell McKenzie. The best chance of the match thus far fell to Murray Rattray following yet another corner but his shot was spilled by the keeper and there was nobody on hand to follow up. The Culter skipper then had a decent shot blocked as the Deesiders turned on the screw. With just over half an hour gone United were awarded a penalty when a rash challenge by Greg Whyte saw Gary McNamara go tumbling in the box but Donnie Adai stepped up to send the kick crashing off the underside of the bar and a grateful Martin Pirie grabbed the ball before any follow up could take place. This potential reverse stung Culter into life and they almost went in front when a ripper of header by Andy Campbell from a Paul Morrison corner flashed just over. Just before half time the petulant former Culter star Donnie Adam was booked as Culter wondered how they were not ahead in this game.

United sent on Jason McDonald at the start of the second period in an attempt to salvage their season and he sent in good pass for Fraser Strachan but Martin Pirie stooped to pick up the harmless attempt. Murray Rattray then had glorious chance at the other end but he contrived to scoop the ball over from close range. Culter then sent on Dave Calder for Paul Morrison as Culter looked for the all important opener but moments later Paul Masson of Ellon saw re just a few minutes after coming on for Colin Sheriffs. The eventual opener came with 63 minutes gone when first a Peter Stewart attempt was blocked followed up by a similar effort by Colin Craik but this time the alert Martin Shand was on hand to blast the ball high over the keeper and into the net. Culter then sent on Danny Craib for Colin Craik as the Deesiders struggled to find their rhythm and soon after Gordon Farmer replaced Duncan Ord. Culter got the all important second following an inspired piece of goalkeeping by Mitchell McKenzie when he somehow steered a fantast Martin Shand volley behind for a corner but he was powerless to prevent the Gordon Farmer corner kick from reaching Danny Craib from planting a fine header into the back of the net from 2 metres. In the dying minutes Martin Pirie denied Ellon a late consolation when he turned a decent Gordon McDonald effort behind for a corner.

Culter: Pirie, Sim, Whyte, Rattray, Campbell, Smith, Morrison, Stewart, Shand, Ord, Craik.

Subs: Calder, Farmer, Mountford, Craib, Knox.

Referee: M. Northcroft

Star Scorer Shand

Next Week's Fixture - Soccer World Super League - Kick Off 2.30p.m. Sat 17 March 2007. Culter v Banks a' Dee (at Crombie Park, Culter). Match Sponsors:- Key West Corner Boys

Scoring Statistics.     In 33 games played Culter have won 20 games, drawn seven and lost six, scoring 86 and conceding 36 goals in the process. Scorers are: Shand 19, Stewart 12, McRitchie 9, Rattray 9, Calder 6, Mountford 6, Campbell 5, Farmer 5, Christie 3, Craib 3, Morrison 3, Ord 3, Craik 1, Sim 1 and Opponent 1.

Race Night.    A Race Night is to be held in The Seafield Club for Culter FC Committee Members, Players and Supporters on Saturday 21 April 2007, Tickets £5 each.

Birthday Boy. Congratulations go to our former Goalkeeper Arthur Stuart on the occasion of his 70th Birthday. Arthur was pictured in yesterday's Evening Express with his wife Mandy celebrating the special event with family and friends at the RUA Social Club, Aberdeen.           Arthur joined Culter from Mugiemoss in 1964. In his 15th game in Amateur Football we lost 10 - 3 to Cove Rangers at Cove on 19 Sept 1964 but Arthur was congratulated on his performance by both teams! Arthur was the unanimous choice of officials and players as Culter's 1st "Clubman of the Year" at our Season End Dinner Dance in The Douglas Arms Hotel, Banchory in May 1970.      Although he later became 2nd choice Goalkeeper, Arthur remained as a signed player until season 1978/79.          He willingly played in various outfield positions and even if was not chosen he never missed a match.

Arthur pictured in May 1970 receiving his award (a dram!) from Club President Gordon Morrison.