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Culter fought out an entertaining draw with Highland League outfit
Deveronvale on Monday 28 July. The Deesiders gave a good account of
themselves against superior opposition and had chances to win it.
The home side should have gone ahead in the 2 minute when George MeBain fed
Andy Sim wide on the right and his pinpoint cross was met by the diving
Gordon Farmer who bulleted a header wide with the goal at his mercy. Five
minutes later Vale took the lead when the impressive Gary McGowan buried a
clinical strike past John Farquhar in the Culter goal. Although the visitors
began to exert pressure they could not find a way past a solid home
rearguard and Culter almost snuck an equaliser when the rapid Ryan Stott
crossed for Martin Shand who just failed to connect. With 23 minutes gone
Paul Urquhart for the visitors almost made it two but John Farquhar produced
a diving save of the highest calibre to deny the ‘Vale striker. Culter
gradually came back into it with both Bruce Smith and George McBain spurning
decent chances to get the goal back.
Both sides fielded a posse of subs at the start of the second period but it
was Culter who scored first. Andy Sim sent in a wicked whipping cross and
George McBain arrived at the crucial instant to steer the ball home. The
lead did not last long as Franny More sent in a free kick and Scott Fraser
stooped to head the ball beyond the Culter custodian. At this stage play
raced from end to end but it was Culter who got a deserved equaliser when
Adam Wilson howked a clearance downfield and Ryan Stott was on it like a
whippet and produced a beautiful lob which sailed over the Vale keeper and
into the net. In the dying minutes Culter had two chances to win it but the
‘Vale keeper made a great save from a Dariuz Kwiatkowski attempt and Ryan
Stott hit the side netting from good position.
Culter: John Farquhar, Adam Wilson, Cohn Craik, George Mc8ain, Martin
Cooper, Murray Rattray, Bruce Smith, Andy Sim,
Martin Shand, Ryan Stott, Gordon Farmer. Subs: Mike Brown, Dariuz
Kwiatkowski, Matt Robertson, Kevin Garioch, Gordon
Mair, Nicky Gall, Kenny McLauchhin.
Referee: Morag Pine. Assistants: Alex Lovie and Malcolm Mckenzie.
Grill League Cup Section 5 Saturday 2 August.
Culter got off to a winning start at the Haughs in a toughly fought
encounter which could have swung either way.
The opening exchanges were fairly even with neither side dominating until
Robbie king of the home side crossed for Robbie Allan but Cohn Craik was on
hand to block the striker’s effort. Culter had a chance soon after from a
free kick but Adam Wilson blasted the ball against the wall but he almost
made amends moments later when he got on the end of a Hugh Robertson free
kick but his header spiralled over the bar. United should have taken the
lead in the 35’ minute when Neil McDonald found himself free in the area but
his parting shot trundled harmlessly into the arms of John Farquhar. The
Deesiders went ahead in stunning fashion when Hugh Robertson curled a
fantastic free kick over the wall and high into the net. The lead only
lasted 3 minutes when United put together a great move which culminated in
Robbie King sweeping the ball home from a Jamie McKinnon through ball.
In the first minute of the second period Donnie Adam set up Ryan Stott who
fed Lewis McKimmie but Ross Buchanan pulled off a fine save to deny the
youngster. With 60 minutes gone Martin Shand replaced the hard working Dod
McBain but it was United who almost went in front when Mike Ralton crossed
for Dave Mckenzie but his effort was acrobatically saved by John Farquhar.
At the other end Lewis McKimmie was denied when his goal bound try was
booted off the line. Culter then sent on Gordon Farmer and Mike Brown for
Ryan Stott and Martin Cooper but it was Adam Wilson who nearly got his name
on the score sheet but his attempt crashed off the bar and away to safety.
With time rapidly running out Culter were awarded a penalty but this time
Hugh Robertson’s spot kick thundered oft the bar. The match looked to be
heading for a draw until Adam Wilson popped up on the edge of the area to
fire a grounder into the net in the 89th minute following a spell of
sustained Culter pressure.
Culter: John Farquhar, Andy Sim, Cohn Craik, Martin Cooper, Murray Rattray,
Donnie Adam, Hugh Robertson, Adam Wilson,
Dod McBain, Ryan Stott, Lewis McKimmie,
Subs: Gordon Farmer, Martin Shand, Mike Brown, Mafl Robertson, Bruce Smith.
Referee: Alastair Mather.
Evening Match Half Time Raffle Winners — Monday 28 July 2008:
Bottle Bell’s Whisky — Kevin Ross, Culter; Bottle Wine — Unclaimed; 6 Cans
Tennent’s Lager — Norman Glennie.
Next Week’s Fixtures — Grill League Cup, Section 5
Tuesday 5 August 2008 v Parkvale (at Crombie Park, Culter) Referee: Thomas
Shaw. Kick Off 7.15 p.m. Saturday 9 August 2008 v Hall Russell United (at
Crombie Park, Culter) Kick Off 2.30 p.m.
Committee Convenes. The first Culter FC Committee Meeting of season
2008/09 will be held in Crombie Park Pavilion, Culter, on Monday 4 August
2008 commencing at 7.00 p.m.
Playing Pool. Culter have added Lewis McKimmie, son of ex Scotland
and Aberdeen defender Stewart, to the playing pool. Lewis was previously
with Inverurie Loco Works. Another addition is Matthew Robertson who has
signed on loan from Peterhead. Matt’s father Neil is the co-founder of the
Brazilian Soccer School along with former Culter and Aberdeen favourite
Jockie Lawrence.
Keeper Coincidence. It was interesting to note that both sets of management
at the Turriff v Culter game are ex professional keepers. Turriff are
managed by Jim Will formerly of Arsenal and he is assisted by former Culter
custodian, Chris Ainslie, who played for Nottingham Forest and Motherwel?.
The Culter Manager plied his trade between the sticks with Plymouth Argyll
before returning north for a successful spell in the Highland League.
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