Final Fixture Failure

Soccer World Super League: Turriff United 2 v Culter 1 (Half Time: 1 -1) Scorers: Turriff United - Grant Noble (9 and 71 mins), Culter - Martin Shand (16 mins)

In a disappointing final fixture Culter lost to double cup winners Turriff United at The Haughs.    The match was the last for the Turriff management team of Jim Will and Craig Stewart to end their partnership on a high note - apart from the fact that Jim Will received his marching orders from Referee Frew after a heated verbal exchange on the touchline in 38 minutes. The game kicked off in strong winds with The Haughs pitch in lush condition.

After good work by Martin Shand in the 3rd minute he cut the ball in to Chris Mountford whose try was blocked and cleared.   Culter gained corners in the 5th and 6th minutes and the second one broke to Gordon Farmer whose drive skimmed over the crossbar.  In 8 minutes Dave Calder sent the ball towards Martin Shand but it was intercepted by Barry Massie.   Next minute Culter were stunned when in Turriff s first raid GRANT NOBLE fired the home side ahead.

In the 12th minute Murray Rattray tackled Martin McLeod and put the ball out for a corner to Turriff. A Steve Rintoul cross was somehow missed by Barry Massie and MARTIN SHAND seized the opportunity to blast in our equaliser after 16 minutes had been played.  After good teamwork by Culter, Chris Mountford slipped the ball to Martin Shand who shot past the post in 19 minutes.     Two minutes later a high long range Murray Rattray free kick was comfortably held by Ross Buchanan.        In the 22nd minute a goalbound David McKenzie header was turned past the post by Scott Knox's fine save.   Gordon Farmer hit the ball across TurrifPs goalmouth in the 25"' minute but it was cleared to safety by Barry Massie.          A couple of minutes afterwards a long range Garry Harris free kick found David McKenzie in the clear but he headed over. A 29th minute Garry Petrie cross was headed out by Andy Sim for a corner.   The resultant corner was headed out for another corner by Andy Campbell.  Referee Frew had words with Andy Campbell following a 32nd minute foul.     Leigh Henderson's hard low free kick was blocked by `keeper Scott Knox and the loose ball was cleared.          Andy Campbell mis-hit the ball into the path of Martin McLeod in 35 minutes but Scott Knox dived to smother it_  Next minute Kevin Christie was booked for a foul on Garry Harris then Referee Frew had words with Steve Rintoul after he fouled Robert King.  A 38th minute Garry Petrie try went narrowly past the upright.     At this stage Manager Jim Will was sent off by Referee Frew following an outburst on the touchline. Chris Mountford gained a 40`h minute corner.   After good play by Dave Calder the ball broke, to Martin Shand whose snapshot towards the corner of the net was saved by Goalkeeper Buchanan.  Just on half time Garry Harris was booked for a foul on Gordon Farmer.   Half Time: 0 - 0.

Peter Stewart replaced Gordon Farmer from the start of the second half.         In the opening seconds Colin Craik put Chris Mountford through and he seemed bound to score but his effort was deflected off `keeper Buchanan and past for a corner.    Peter Stewart's corner went to Chris Mountford who drove the ball past. A 49th minute David McKenzie shot was deflected off Kevin Christie to go out for a corner. Andy Cowell replaced Andy Sim in 56 minutes and five minutes afterwards Les Lobban came on as substitute for Garry Harris. In the 62"d minute Peter Stewart was brought down just inside the box by Robert King but Dave Calder's resultant penalty hit the post with Goalkeeper Ross Buchanan beaten.

Duncan Ord was brought on for Chris Mountford. Barry Harris was booked for a 69th minute foul.   A 71st minute free kick broke to GRANT NOBLE who drove Turriff ahead.      Next minute Les Lobban was intercepted by Andy Campbell who put the ball out for a corner which was fisted out by Scott Knox, Culter came so close to equalising in the 75th minute when a Steve Rintoul header off a corner was cleared off the goal-line by a defender.    In 83 minutes Peter Stewart had a chance but shot straight into `keeper Buchanan's arms. Les Lobban had a good chance after 86 minutes had been played but Scott' Knox raced out to block his try.         Next minute Craig Stewart replaced Grant Noble anc immediately sent in a long range shot which was easily saved by `keeper Knox.  !n injury time Garry Petrie was yeilou carded for a foul on Kevin Christie.

Turriff United: Buchanan; Ralton, King, Monro, Harris, Massie, McLeod, McKenzie, Petrie, Noble, Henderson Substitutes: Lobban, Craib, Allan, Stewart, Murdo.

Culter: Knox; Sim, Rattray, Calder, Campbell, Craik, Rintoul, Mountford, Shand, Christie, Farmer; Substitutes: Stewart Ord, Cowell.

Referee: A Frew.       Assistant Referees: K Anderson and S Swanson.

Match Reporter (in the absence of both regular reporter [an "Kip" McKenzie and deputy Gus Johnstone): Albert J Moir.

Turriff United Half Time Raffle - Saturday 19 May 2007.  Winner of the Prize, a Bottle of Bacardi, was Ken Henderson, Culter FC.         Ken very kindly donated his prize back to Turriff United for their next Match Raffle.

Fancy-Dress Fun.     After yesterday's final fixture at Turriff our players excelled themselves in colourful fancy-dress outfits for the visit to the Turriff United Social Club, the journey home in Peace's Coach and then their night out on the town in Aberdeen.  Their obvious friendship and team spirit augurs well for the Club's future.

Scoring Statistics.     In 44 games played Culter have won 28 games, drawn seven and lost nine, scoring 112 and conceding 46 goals in the process. Scorers are: Shand 27, Stewart 15, Mountford 12, Rattray 11, McRitchie 9, Calder 6, Campbell 6, Christie 5, Farmer 5, Morrison 4, Craib 3, Ord 3, Craik 2, Opponents 2, Sim 1 and Smith 1.

Last Lottery.   The last draw prior to the close season break will be Tickets dated Saturday 26 May 2007. The Lottery will resume at the start of next season.      This draw will be held in Culter Mills Social Club at 1.00 p.m. with the early time due to the Culter Gala taking place that day.

Season-End Social/Annual Awards.          Our Season-End Social and Annual Awards will take place on Friday 22 June 2007.     Voting Sheets for the Annual Awards are now on issue to all Committee Members and Players for return to me on or before Friday 22 June 2007 please.  Details of the Season-End Social to be advised later.

AGM Ahead.  Culter Football Club's Annual General Meeting will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Sunday 24 June 2007 commencing at 11 a.m.     The Annual General Meeting is open to all enrolled Members and Honorary Members of Culter Football Club.  Any member wishing to alter the Constitution and Rules must submit the proposal along with a seconder 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.