Dee Dumped

Soccer World Super League Culter 3 Bank's O'Dee 1 H-T 1-0 Scorers: Culter, Bruce Smith 41, Darren Pyper 49 (og) Martin Shand 85. Banks O' Dee, Robert Turnbull 48 Match Sponsors: Key West Corner Boys

Culter moved a step closer to retaining their league title with a vital win over fellow title chase Banks O'Dee. In the end the score probably flattered the visitors as Culter had ample chances to w the game more handsomely.

Culter came out of the blocks quickly with Colin Craik setting up Martin Shand but his cute flick was eas held by Grant Pennet in the Dee goal before the visitors came back but an Alan Smith free kick went w wide of Scott Knox's goal. Colin Craik then sent in a beautifully inviting ball for Martin Shand but the Cull marksman could not stretch enough to meet it. Paul Morrison then provided the ammo for Murray Rattray C his blistering shot was well saved by Grant Pennet. David Milne of Dee then sent in a cross cum shot which went sliding past the post as the game swung from end to end. Dave Calder then went on a lung bursting n into the box but Steve Clinton produced a fine tackle to deny the diminutive midfielder a scoring opportunity Duncan Ord then put in a good cross for Martin Shand but his attempt went agonisingly wide with the goal his mercy. With just over half an hour gone Dee almost broke the deadlock when a fierce shot from AI,, Smith was brilliantly blocked by Scott Knox. Moments later Colin Craik produced another fine cross for Mart Shand but this time his effort came cannoning off the bar and it looked as if Bruce Smith had the simplest tasks to prod the ball home but he somehow contrived to steer the ball past the post with the goal gaping Bruce Smith atoned for his miss several minutes later when he steered a magnificent grounder into the n from the edge of the area to open the scoring. Soon after Dee had to replace the injured Richard Darroch with Robert Turnbull as both sides looked for the half time whistle.

Right from the off Dee went romping up the park and a decent Ritchie Taylor cross was comfortably dealt with by Scott Knox but the stand in `keeper was powerless to prevent a fantastic strike from Robert Turnbull fro flying into the net to tie the match. A minute later Dee shot themselves in the foot when a great Dave Calder cross from deep in the box cannoned off Darren Pyper's knee and flew past the bemused Grant Pennet in the back of the net. The Dee `keeper then almost made a hash of a Duncan Ord attempt when he spilled the ball but it trundled behind at the expense of a corner. In an attempt to get back into the match the visitor sent on Ondrey Koc for Alan Smith but it was the home side who almost went further ahead when a terrific Andy Campbell header was cleared off the line and seconds later Bruce Smith had a decent shot saved then a try by Duncan Ord met a similar fate. The Deesiders then sent on Greg Whyte for Colin Craik but it was Martin Shand who should have sealed the match but he completely missed his header from a Paul Morris cross. Culter were beginning to dominate and won a succession of comers but none of these produced at attempts on goal of note until a great Duncan Ord cross was met by Martin Shand but again he managed hit the bar and Dave Calder's follow up was high and mighty. The game was over as a contest in the 85th minute when a delightful Paul Morrison free kick was headed wisely back across goal by Danny Craib at this time Martin Shand made no mistake when his powerful header went skirling into the back, of the net. With the clock ticking down Murray Rattray had a thrash at the ball from a Greg Whyte corner but the ball went fizzling wide of Grant Pennet's charge.

Culter: Knox, Sim, Rattray, Calder, Campbell, Smith, Morrison, Ord, Shand, Christie, Craik. Subs: Whyi Craib, Stewart, Farmer, Mountford.

Banks O' Dee: Pennet, Milne, Clinton, Reid, Darroch, Smith, Scaiffe, Pyper, Taylor, Stainer, Nichol. Suk Brownhill, White, Koc, Turnbull, Philips

Referee: M Johnston.           Assistant Referee: R Donohoe and Gillian Foster.

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 17 March 2007.     Half Time Raffle:- Bottle Whisky (donated by George Sorbie) - R Darroch; Bottle Wine - Gordon Craib; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Jim Donald.

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition:- David Ogston.        

After Match £80 "Choose Your Team" Competition (organised by Match Sponsors Key West Corner Boys with proceeds to Culter FC):- John Irvine, Banks o' Dee.  i

Forthcoming Fixtures   Saturday 24 March 2007 - ATR Group Cup 1St Round Culter v Islavale (at Crombie Park, Culter) Referee:         Kick Off 2.15 p.m. - played to a finish - straight to penalties if  level at 90 minutes.

Saturday 31 March 2007 - Soccer World Super League           i

Hillhead v Culter (at Hillhead of Seaton, Aberdeen) Kick Off 2.30 p.m.

Scoring Statistics.     In 34 games played Culter have won 21 games, drawn seven and lost six, scoring 89 and conceding 37 goals in the process. Scorers are: Shand 20, Stewart 12, Rattray 10, McRitchie 9, Calder 6, MountFord 6, Campbell 5, Farmer 5, Christie 3, Craib 3, Morrison 3, Ord 2, Opponents 2, Craik 1, Sim 1 and Smith 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.            ;

Dee Double.  Culter's welcome win over Banks o' Dee yesterday was our second league double of the season, having hammered them 5 - 0 at Spain Park on 8 September 2006.      Our other league double so far this season was against Hermes, winning 1 - 0 at Lochside Park on 25 Nov 06 and 4 - 1 at Crombie on 24 Feb 07.