Longside Loss

Soccer World Super League Longside 3 Culter 2 H-T 0-0 Scorers: Longside: Rattray 60 (og) Christie 62, Cardno 76. Culter: Rattray 63, Campbell 65 (pen)

Culter failed to put the pressure on those above them in the Super League when they lost in controversial circumstances at old rivals Longside. In the many years of travelling to the Buchan Battlers many observed that they had never seen the pitch in so poor condition or such an inept display by the match officials. Despite their almost total domination of play the Deesiders could not bring home the three points.

Longside set their stall out early with a packed defence but the home side were almost gifted an opening when Kevin Christie was short with a pass back and Martin Pirie was glad to howk the ball out for a corner which came to nought. As early as the third minute Culter had an opportunity but Danny Craib's attempt from outside the area was easily saved by Lee Simpson in the home goal and soon after Danny Craib saw a blistering effort kinnel off the head of Mike Bruce and out for a corner. In the 6th minute Dave Calder twisted in the box and sent in a daisy cutter which was booted off the line by Calum Davidson. Dave Calder then had a great effort saved by the keeper's feet as Culter threatened to swamp their opponents and again Danny Craib had a flicked attempt from a Murray Rattray pass saved by the Longside custodian. With 20 minutes gone Martin Pirie had to be quick witted when Ross Cardno pounced on a Kevin Christie mistake and the big Culter `keeper managed to thwart the vertically challenged striker. This was one ray of hope for Longside at this period as it was all one way traffic at this stage and Danny Craib sent Peter Stewart free with a smart header but the Drum Dart fired agonisingly over from inside the area. With half an hour gone Culter looked as if they had taken the lead with a terrific Martin Shand flick but somehow Lee Simpson got a hand to the ball to avert the danger. Only a minute later Culter were denied what looked like a penalty when a Peter Stewart cross was handled by Dean Cowie but nether the referee nor his assistants spotted the offence. A few seconds later Peter Stewart was upended in the box but once again the officials failed to spot the illegal challenge before Martin Shand had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring but he headed just wide from a fantastic Andy Sim cross.

At the start of the second period there was no hint of the drama to come as Culter piled on the pressure with Peter Stewart prominent and the front man should have done better that to send a harmless shot straight into the arms of the 'keeper. The same player had a decent chance a wee while later but this time his attempt beat the `keeper but flashed wide of the post. With just 15 minutes of the half gone Longside took a surprise lead when a deep free kick was headed past his own keeper by skipper Murray Rattray. Barely two minutes later Culter looked dead and buried when Neil Christie headed home from a blatantly offside position to send the home support into raptures. It was hard to believe but the Deesiders got themselves straight back into it in the 63`dminute when a Paul Morrison corner was bulleted into the back of the net by Murray Rattray. The game was far from over as it transpired when Chris Mountford, on for Colin Craik, was tripped in the area and once the furore had died Andy Campbell stepped up to hammer home the spot kick to even the scoring. Culter were right back in it now and kept pushing for an elusive winner but it was Longside who got their noses in front with another controversial goal when three players were patently offside allowing Ross Cardno to tap horne from close range. Culter huffed and puffed to get a crucial equaliser with the best opportunity falling to Andy Campbell but his free header from a Dave Calder cross went straight into the 'keeper's paunch. A disappointing result for Culter.

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

Referee: A Lovie

 Forthcoming Final Fixtures

Soccer World Super League - Kick Off 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 14 April 2007 - Culter v Formartine United (at Crombie Park, Culter).        Referee: G Beaton. Cup Competition - Quarter Final ATR Group Cup

 Saturday 21 April 2007 - Culter v Formartine Utd (at Crombie Park).    Kick Off 2.15 p.m. - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes. Dates for the Semi Final and Final are - Sat 12 May and Fri 25 May respectively. Soccer World Super League

Saturday 28 April 2007 - Culter v Islavale (at Crombie Park, Culter).     Kick Off 2.30 p.m. Friday 4 May 2007 - Culter v Glentanar (at Crombie Park, Culter). Kick Off 7.15 p.m. Tuesday 8 May 2007 - Formartine United v Culter (at North Lodge Park, Pitmedden). Kick Off 7.15 p.m.

Saturday 19 May 2007 - Turriff United v Culter (at The Haughs, Turriff).            Kick Off 2.30 p.m.

Scoring Statistics.     In 37 games played Culter have won 23 games, drawn seven and lost seven, scoring 94 and conceding 42 goals in the process. Scorers are: Shand 22, Stewart 12, Rattray 11, McRitchie 9, Mountford 7, Calder 6, Campbell 6, Farmer 5, Christie 3, Craib 3, Morrison 3, Ord 2, Opponents 2, Craik 1, Sim 1 and Smith 1.

Race Night - Saturday 21 April 2007.         A Race Night is to be held in The Seafield Club for Culter FC Committee Members, Players and Supporters -Tickets £5 each.      1st Race 7.45 p.m.

Paul's Prize.   Much to our surprise and to Paul Morrison's, he was announced by Longside FC as their Culter "Man of the Match".           Paul wondered if they had drawn his name of a hat!        He was, however, pleased to accept his award of a Bottle of Vodka. 

Raw Revisited. On my previous visit to Longside 1 had taken photographs of my father's birthplace, "Creeshie Raw", to show   Longside officials.     On arrival there yesterday Arthur Innes and Alan Davidson were standing by to drive me about 2 1/2 miles to  revisit the Raw.          There are now only the ivy covered remnants of the buildings.    By chance I had my camera with my and Arthur   took photos for me.   Back at the Davidson Park Alan introduced me to 75 year old Tom Beagrie, a former Longside Committee  Member, who was born at Creeshie Raw. I had my fathers old photos with me and it included the Thos Beagrie shop which had  belonged to Tom's parents. It was a most interesting visit.