Mountford does the Trick

ATR Group Cup Quarter Final Culter 4 Formartine United 0 H-T 2-0 Scorers: Chris Mountford 16, 19, 55. Martin Shand 49.

Culter progressed to the semi finals of the ATR Group Cup with a comprehensive victory over a young Formartine side who never gave up trying but were outclassed in almost every department by the Deesiders who seem to be hitting form at a critical part of the season. The highlight of the display was an inspirational hat trick from Chris Mountford who recently returned to the squad following a lengthy bout of illness.

United started brightly and Martin Pirie had to react quickly but sclaffed the ball out for a throw in before Gordon Farmer knyped down the left before being felled on the edge of the area but referee Kerrigan waved play on. As early as the fourth minute United had a decent chance when Bruce Cutler combined with Glen Graffin to set up Mike Brown but he headed wide from good position. Peter Stewart then produced some wing artistry from a Kevin Christie pass but his skittering cross was hacked away by a relieved Allan Padua. At the other end Martin Pirie was called into action when he gathered a Chris Allsop skimmer at the second attempt. Soon after Dave Christie did well to keep the game level when he saved from a rasping Peter Stewart drive. The home side took the lead in fine style in the 16th minute when Martin Shand jigged past two markers before sending in a corking cross for Chris Mountford who flashed a header into the back of the net with Dave Christie clasping fresh air. Barely three minutes later Culter doubled their tally when Gordon Farmer accelerated down the left before sending in a great ball for Chris Mountford who gleefully steered the ball past the bemused Dave Christie. United rallied from the double setback and Martin Pirie had to dive full length to palm out a super cross from Mike Brown who for once had escaped the clutches of Andy Sim. United should have pulled one back in the 23rd minute when Ross Forsyth found himself free in the box but he ballooned the ball over when it looked easier to find the target. Moments later the visitors had another opportunity but this time Mark Lawson planted his header wide of the target from a Glen Graffin corner. With half time rapidly approaching there was a sickening clash of heads between Chris Mountford and Mark Lawson but both players managed to continue and just before the whistle Andy Sim had a fizzling drive well saved by Dave Christie. This however was not the last of the action in the first half as Mark Lawson gifted Martin Shand the ball on the half way line and the striker sped clear but failed to convert with only Dave Christie to beat.         Half Time: 2 - 0.

The game was over as a contest soon into the second period when Gordon Farmer and Peter Stewart combined to set up a difficult chance for Martin Shand who turned beautifully in the box before sending a cute grounder into the bottom of the net (Culter's 100th Goal of the Season). The writing was on the wall for the young Buchan side with ten minutes of the half gone and this time Chris Mountford did all the hard work himself as he darted into the box leaving a posse of knackered defenders in his wake before thundering a clinical strike high into the net. Culter then sent on Greg Whyte for the influential Andy Campbell and Duncan Ord for Chris MountFord and it was diminutive Duncan who almost grabbed the fifth from a Martin Shand pass but his blistering shot was blocked on the edge of the six yard box. Steve Rintoul then replaced Gordon Farmer but it was Duncan Ord who got the ball in the back of the net only fpr the attempt to be chalked off for offside. In the end a comfortable win but the quality of play was a pleasure to watch

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

Formartine: Christie, Fraser, Allsop, Padua, Lawson, Forsyth, Graffin, Cutler, A.Maitland, Beattie, Brown. Subs: Cunningham, Wilson, R. Maitland, Taylor, MacLeod.

Referee: M. Kerrigan. Assistant Referees: B Spence and C Mackay.

Match Sponsors: Ryden Property Consultants, Aberdeen.

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 21 April 2007.        Half Time Raffle:- Bottle Whisky - unclaimed (ticket number 56); Bottle Wine - Alex Irvine, 3Culter (who is thanked for donating it back for our next Match Raffle); 6 Cans Ten nent's Lager -Jim Lawson, Tarves.       After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Winner - Gordon Farmer, Culter FC.

Forthcoming Final Fixtures

Cup Competition - Semi Final ATR Group Cup

Saturday 12 May 2007 - Sunnybank v Culter.        Kick Off 2.15 p.m. - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes. Date for the Final is Friday 25 May 2007.

Soccer World Super League

Saturday 28 April 2007 - Culter v Islavale (at Crombie Park, Culter).     Referee: K Milne.      Kick Off 2.30 p.m. Friday 4 May 2007 - Culter v Glentanar (at Crombie Park, Culter). Referee: B Braidwood. 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.

Committee Convenes.         A Meeting of Culter Football Club will be held on Tuesday 1 May 2007 in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, commencing at 7.00 p.m.           This Meeting had been due to take place on Tuesday 8 May 2007 but in view of our Evening Fixture against Formartine United that night it has been brought forward by one week.

Scoring Statistics.     In 39 games played Culter have won 25 games, drawn seven and lost seven, scoring 101 and conceding 42 goals in the process. Scorers are: Shand 24, Stewart 13, Rattray 11, Mountford 10, McRitchie 9, Calder 6, Campbell 6, Farmer 5, Christie 3, Craib 3, Morrison 3, Craik 2, Ord 2, Opponents 2, Sim 1 and Smith 1.   It was very appropriate that our 100th Goal of the Season was netted by our top scorer Martin Shand.

Rip-Roaring Race-Night.      Culter FC had a very successful Race Night yesterday evening in The Seafield Club thanks to Organisers Eric J Duncan, Doug Jamieson and Gus Johnstone, to Race Sponsors and to Committee Members, Players and Supporters for a good turnout. Eric's £100 prize in his Tricast Competition was won by ....Eric!            Worthy £350 winner of the sponsored last race was Race Sponsor, evening Guitar entertainer and loyal supporter John Murphy.           A fine meal was provided per Gus's family arrangements and a good night was had by all.