Leven Stevens

Scottish Junior Cup 1st Round Culter 0 Vale of Leven 0 H-T 0-0

Following the euphoria of last week's Scottish Cup tie Culter were brought down to earth with a bump in a match they might have won but the tie ended up eeksie peeksie and the Deesiders face the long journey to the West Coast next Saturday.

Neither team set the heather on fire early on as the two sides were content to size each other up until Martin Pirie had to race from his charge to head clear with Gordon Martin in close attendance. The home side however were enjoying the bulk of possession without really threatening whilst Vale looked dangerous on the counter. The first real chance came Vale's way in the 22nd minute when Gordon Martin was presented with s glorious chance but his driven effort was easily saved by Martin Pirie. The next opportunity came for Culter when a cute ball from Andy Campbell was picked up by Gordon Farmer and his cross was headed behind for a goal kick by Adam Wilson. With chances at a premium Culter tried to up the ante as half time approachecdand they were a bit unlucky to see an Andy Campbell header from a John Brown corner flash wide of Mat Carr's post.       .

Early in the second half Vale's Kevin Montague missed an absolute sitter with the Culter defence exposed This seemed to shake the home side out of their reverie and they went on to dominate proceedings and had E good chance when Peter Stewart found Chris Mountford racing clear but Matt Carr saved bravely at the striker's feet. Andy Campbell then pinpointed Gordon Farmer who was beginning to get his crosses in anc from his delivery Chris Mountford skittered the ball wide. Donnie Adam then found Chris Mountford and once again Matt Carr denied the in form striker before a Gardon Farmer cross was narrowly deflected behind for a corner by Paul Ross as Culter sought the all important opener. From the resultant corner by John Brown skipper Murray Rattray had a header well saved by the Vale `keeper. Moments later a cute Andy Campbell chip was booted off the line by Graeme McKenzie with the `keeper stranded. Graham Cadger then replaced John Brown and he almost got on the end of a fine Chris Mountford cross but the `keeper just got to the bal first. At the other end Vale had a rare second period chance but Martin Pirie pulled of a fine double save from Doug Wilson and then Gordon Martin before Chris Mountford had another opportunity from a great Gordon Farmer ball but once again Matt Carr was equal to the task. With time running out Culter laid siege to the Vale goal and perhaps Graham Cadger should have done better from a Gordon Farmer cross but his headed squirmed wide although some sections of the crowd gave the sub unjustified pelters. The big hit man almost made amends in the last minute when he picked out Gordon Farmer through on goal but the speedy winged contrived to completely miss the ball with the goal gaping in front of him.

Culter: Pirie, Sim, Rattray, Wilson, Craib, Campbell, Brown, Adam, Mountford, Stewart, Farmer. Substitutes: McCall, Cadger, Smith, Riches.

Vale of Leven: Carr, G. McKenzie, Grant, R. McKenzie, Ross, Buchanan, King, Filshie, Martin, Goulray Montague.

Substitutes: Wilson Ward, Lacy, Drain, O'Meara Referee: G. Duncan. Assistants: D Taylor and B Spence.

Match Day Prize Winners - Saturday 6 October 2007.  Half Time Raffle-.- Bottle Whisky (donated by Gordon Laing, Culter) - Gerry Cassidy, Westhill; Bottle Wine - Ron Mackay, Culter­

6 Cans Tennent's Lager - Dennis Nash, 67 Johnston Gardens West, Cutter. (Gerry and Ron are thanked for donating their prizes back for our next Match Raffle). After Match £20 "Choose Your Team" Competition - Alan Bonnamy, Culter.

 Next Week's Fixture -Saturday 13 October 2007 - Scottish Junior Cup 1st Round Replay Vale of Leven v Culter (at Millburn Park, Leven Street, Alexandria)       Kick Off time to be advised. Our special bus will depart from Crombie Park Pavilion and collect the Aberdeen contingent at The Seafield Club, Seafield Road, Aberdeen -timings to be announced later.          Fares will be £5 for Adults and £3 for Senior Citizens and Children.        Names of supporters wishing to travel on the bus to be arranged and confirmed with Albert (Tel: 732006).

Martin's Marriage.  Congratulations go to our player Martin Shand and Shona on the occasion of their Wedding yesterday - surely "Match of the Day"!

Playing Pool.            We regret to announce that defender/midfielder Kevin Christie has been placed on the Transfer List.

He made a valuable contribution to our playing performances.   We wish him well for the future.   We suffered another setback with the news that 8ifter last week's injury against Hawick Royal Albert it transpired that Steve Rintoul had suffered a broken collar bone and broken ribs. Steve will be out of action for 6/8 weeks.

Cup Competitions.  Cup draws have resulted as follows for Culter:­

Scottish Cup 2nd Round - Culter v Vale of Leithen (at Crombie Park, Culter) on Saturday 27 October 2007.

By remarkable co-incidence Vale of Leithen were formed in 1891, the same year as Culter!      Their name is, of course, so close to yesterday's Scottish Junior Cup opponents Vale of Leven.        Vale of Leithen are one of the oldest football clubs in the Scottish Borders.        The club became full members of the Scottish Football Association in 1897 and play in the East of Scotland league, the level directly below the Scottish Football League.          They participate each year in the Scottish FA Cup.      In the 1st Round they beat Gala Fairydean 3 - 1 at home (Innerleithen).     Three Vale of Leithen officials had an enjoyable friendly visit to Crombie Park yesterday - their Patron Saint is St Ronan!

GA Engineering Inter Regional Cup 2nd Round - Forfar Albion v Culter (at Guthrie Park, Lochside Road, Forfar) on Saturday 20 October 2007.      Kick Off 2.15 p.m. - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes. Grill League Cup 1/4 Final - Hillhead v Culter (at Hillhead Centre, Aberdeen) on Tuesday 16 October 2007.

Referee: G Beaton.  Kick Off 7.15 p.m. - played to a finish - straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes.