Formartine Felled

Soccer World Super League: Culter 3 v Formartine United 0 (at Crombie Park, Culter) Half Time: 1 - 0.            Culter Scorers: Colin Craik (30 mins), Martin Shand (49 mins) and Peter Stewart (66 mins)

After last week's setback at Longside, Culter gained a welcome win over formidable Formartine. Yesterday's Press & Journal Junior notes were headlined "Culter bid to bounce back against Formartine" and on a glorious April afternoon we did just that to boost our target of winning our fourth successive Super League title.

In the absence of regular reporter Ian "Kip" McKenzie, Gus Johnstone again deputised and his report is a: follows.           The result has been e-mailed to Ian in Yemen.

Culter had a great chance after only 5 minutes when a hopeful long ball caught out the away defence anc Shand could only watch as his lob just cleared the bar. Stewart then tried his luck with a first time shot bu Duguid saved comfortably. Stewart then lost his marker to send over a great cross that was scrambled cleai for a corner. Mountford was fouled on the edge of the box and Farmer tried his luck from 20 yards but hi; effort was headed clear. Pirie showed great composure to sidestep Booth and the clear the danger in 2e minutes. Culter appealed for a penalty when a Stewart flick inside the box appeared to hit Fraser on the am but Referee Beaton waved away the claims. Christie was next to try his luck when his overhead kick hit the post with the Formartine defence all at sea. Farmer sent over a great corner on the half hour mark which wa; headed clear only as far as CRAIK whose fierce 20 yard drive flew under the diving `keeper to give Culter ~ deserved lead. Pirie saved well at the feet of Beattie as the player looked certain to equalise and he failed tc follow up with the rebound when it looked easier to score. Stewart headed into the net but it was chalked of for offside before Graffin tried his luck from distance but the ball flew well wide.          Half Time: 1 - 0.

Culter started the second half as they finished the first and Mountford had his shot well blocked by Duguid bu1 Culter were not to be denied as Rattray's shot crashed off the crossbar onto the inrushing SHAND who made no mistake from 10 yards in the 49th minute. Forsyth had a snapshot in the next minute as Formartine tried to get back into the game but it was the home team who made the points safe in 66 minutes when Stewart chased Craik's long punt, the 'keeper misjudged the bounce and STEWART had the easy task of poking the ball into the empty net. Stewart had another great chance after he robbed Lawson of the ball but the `keeper made amends saving well at the striker's feet.         Steven Rintoul came on for his Culter debut minutes later. Adam, Maitland and then Booth forced near post saves in succession from Pirie before ex-Culter player Roddy Cameron hit the post with a header with the ball ending up in Pirie's arms as Cameron celebrated prematurely. Morrison had his shot blocked in a goalmouth scramble and Stewart saw his fierce shot headed clear by Lawson for a corner.            Graffn then watched as his effort scraped past Pirie's post in the home goal but Culter held out for a comfortable win.

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

Formartine Utd:- Duguid, Lawson, Cunningham, Allsop, Fraser, Forsyth, Graffin, Cutler, Booth, Beattie, Wilson; Subs: A Maitland, R Maitland, Cameron, Taylor, Christie.

Referee: G Beaton.   Assistant Referees: A Lovie and J Wiseman.

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 14 April 2007.        Half Time Raffle:- Bottle Whisky (donated by Steven Davidson, Culter) - Joe Smith; Bottle Wine - Chris Ainslie; 6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Colin Grant, Formartine United FC.

After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Winner -Albert J Moir, Culter.

Forthcoming Final Fixtures

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. Referee: M Kerrigan.

Dates for the Semi Final and Final are - Sat 12 May and Fri 25 May respectively. Soccer World Super Leaaue

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.

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 including food.     1"Race 7.45 p.m. A minibus has been booked leaving the Malcolm Road lay-by, Culter at 7.00 p.m. - names of anyone wishing to travel on the minibus to be given to me please (Albert - Tel: 732006).

Playing Pool. We welcome Steven Rintoul to our playing pool from rivals Sunnybank FC.     Steven made his debut yesterday, coming on as a substitute in the second half.

Chris Collie.   After his lengthy spell of absence due to injury resulting in him undergoing various treatments and physiotherapy he had to travel to Coventry this week for a major leg operation on Thursday 12 April 2007.   It was good to see Chris at our game yesterday on his crutches.            We hope this operation proves successful and wish him a very speedy recovery.        We were also pleased to have the injured Bruce Smith at the Formartine match after having had a plate inserted in his fractured cheek this week.     Here's hoping he too progresses speedily.