Sunnybank Seven Slaughtered

Rainbow International Super League: Culter 2 Sunnybank 0 H-T 1-0
Scorers: Matt Robertson 10, Martin Shand 87

 

Deesiders won with a little to spare against bitter rivals Sunnybank who incredibly finished match with only seven men. In a far from dirty game referee Tom Shaw brandished four red cards to leave the Heathryfold men reeling.
Sunnybank started with their tails up and John, Farquhar had to look smart to pick a decent Ken Mckenzie cross before the Culter ‘keeper saved well from a fine Dave Greig effort. The Deesiders then countered with Cohn Craik bursting down the left but Rich Shand managed to put the ball behind for a corner. The home side went in front in 10 minutes when a peach of a free kick by Allan “Alfie” Youngson met by Matt Robertson but despite a despairing effort by the ‘keeper the youngster’s header made over the line. Five minutes later Youngson tried the direct route with a free kick but this time a rather portly Lee Sweeney managed to get a hand on the ball and divert it behind for a corner. ‘Bank were far from out of it and a decent Dave Greig cross was blootered behind for a corner by CoHn Craik. At the other end Lewis McKimmie squirmed into the box but his parting shot slithered behind for a goal kick. ‘Bank were dealt a severe blow in the 28th minute when Barry Sommers was given a straight red for plowting Murray Rattray in the face for no apparent reason. The game then went to sleep for a wee white Culter failed to take advantage of the extra man but it sprung to life a few minutes before the half time wheeber when first Lewis McKimmie had a fine hit saved by Lee Sweeney before Alfie Youngson saw cute dink drift just wide.

‘Bank sent on Nicky Gordon and Grant Elliot at the start of the second period to try and get something from the game but it was the impressive Martin Cooper who almost got them level when he gifted the ball to  Jamie McAllister who wriggled clear but John Farquhar was up to the challenge and pulled off a fine stop. Culter then had a sustained spell of pressure which culminated in a Murray Rattray header being headed off the line by Ken McKenzie with Lee Sweeney nowhere. Alfie Youngson then squeezed past marker in the box before setting up Lewis McKimmie but the striker fired wide from ideal position. Amazingly ‘Bank were reduced to eight men soon after when firstly former Culter player of the year Andy Campbell was shown a second yellow for an agricultural challenge on Lewis McKimmie and Dave Greig followed him into the pavilion for his irreverent protestations which also earned him a second yellow.

 In attempt to stretch the game Culter sent on Martin Shand and Donny Adam for Mall Robertson and Adam Wilson and the second sub almost clinched the match when he tried his luck from a Murray Rattray long ball. Alfie Youngson was by now revelling in the wide open spaces and his pile driver with minutes to go was well saved by Lee Sweeney as ‘Bank tried not to go flaccid in the last few minutes. However it was all over but the shouting with three minutes to go when Martin Shand raced clear and it looked like Lee Sweeney had pulled off a fine save but he was a New York mile outside his area and was sent for an early shower for being the last man back. From the resultant free kick Martin Shand curled the ball round the dilapidated wall to ensure all three points were kept at home.

Culter: Farquhar, Wilson, Rattray, Cooper, Pressley, M. Robertson, McBain, McKimmie, H. Robertson, Youngson, Craik. Subs: Farmer, Stott, Shand, Sim, Adam,
Sunnybank: Sweeney, Mckenzie, Campbell, Shand, Thomson, Esson, Greig, Steel, Wyness, Sommers,
McAllister: Subs: Henry, Fettes, Gordon, Elliot, Johnston.
Referee: T. Shaw. Assistants: D Robertson and M Rough.