Report

Match report to follow. Normal reporter has been relieved of his duties so report will be written by a combination of boys. Kevin wrote most so he is excused homework tonight.

Good 1.0 win in a game much less intense than last week. A game of few chances but lots of effort and both teams rotated the boys. 

Very proud of the lads this season.

Match Report:

We travelled to Polo Park for our last league game of the season against the champions Dyce. As a mark of respect for Dyce’s fine achievement we formed a guard of honour to clap the Dyce boys onto the pitch.

It was nice to have a full squad of 16 at our disposal albeit with Michael suffering from illness and we changed the starting 11 with the 4 boys who didn’t start our last game starting this one.

Playing the same opposition so frequently over a short space of time isn’t ideal but with Culter winning one and Dyce the other a close game was expected.

Culter started the game very well using the big pitch at Polo Park to their advantage. Not many goal scoring chances in the first half but most of the play was down the Culter left with Greg and Aidan combining very well. Kieran and Christian were busy up front with Kieran a threat down the channels with his pace and power and Christian coming short to link the play.

Chances in this early spell came from a Dyce header wide from a corner and a good move from Culter seeing Kevin put through but he hit over.

More of a midfield battle with Dyce doing well in the centre but Culter more threatening in wide areas.

The goal came on around 30 mins as a clearance up the field from Paul was collected by the Dyce player but an under hit back pass gave Kieran the chance to poke the ball between the keeper’s legs into the corner of the net. Not a classic goal by any means but good persistence from Kieran getting rewarded.

Around this time the coaches felt Kevin was labouring with a leg injury and we replaced him with Zack. Christian was asked to play wide right with Zack instructed to play upfront and hold the ball up. The change seemed to work well with Zack showing a great attitude and the ball ‘stuck’ up front more.

Stu C and Duncan also changed places which seemed to help us close Dyce down quicker and Culter had a good spell up to half time.

HT 1.0 Culter

The same 11 took the field for the start of the 2^nd half and Kevin took over the note taking so here it is verbatim.

A lot of work down the right hand corner by Zack, cutting onto his left shooting but an easy save for the Dyce keeper.

Dyce right hand link-up play gives striker a shot whizzing past the left hand post.

Declan now on for Stu Mc in centre mid.

Zack slipped Declan through on right results in a cross gathered by keeper.

Great ball from free kick from Greg, headed on, giving keeper a problem – out for corner. Resultant corner headed by Declan but comes back off the post.

Great run by Aidan but unfortunately shot goes over for a goal kick.

Over a 10 min spell a few more changes as James comes on for Kieran, Blair on for Christian and Michael on for Paul.

A mix up in Culter defence with Adam clearing the ball into Paul and Dyce forward has a chance but brilliant save from David.

Great run from Greg but a sliced shot – kept in by Zack who finds Declan and a pile driver saved well by Dyce keeper.

Declan now left mid with Aidan playing alongside Tony in centre mid and another shot from Declan easily saved by Dyce keeper.

Bad goal kick by Dyce goes straight to Zack who runs towards goal but superb sliding tackle by Dyce defender and keeper gathers.

Blair chases through ball but keeper there first and Blair collides into him free kick (Kevin – I had to reword that bit!)

Good work from Zack and nice early ball to James who made a good run. Lovely floated cross to far post and with 2 Culter players lurking 5 yards out goal at their mercy but goal bound Declan shot hits Blair.

Another unfortunate foul by Blair – ref is not his fan

Dyce force a corner and all but Dyce keeper in Culter box but corner doesn’t get into play and ref blows his whistle

FT Culter 1.0

Thanks Kevin for the 2^nd half report.

A few observations from me: the back 4 were all superb with Adam outstanding throughout against his former team. Duncan also had a stand out game in defence and centre mid. Really pleased to be the only local team to beat Dyce this season and to do it twice away from home is no mean achievement. The worst part and probably most important part of my job is team selection and really pleased to win this one giving everyone a decent amount of game time and they all played their part well.

Our squad only has 16 players (including 2 keepers) so has been stretched this season but the players are so versatile and play wherever asked of them with no complaint.

I will do a review of the season sometime soon but we are all very pleased with what you have done so far and a cup final still to come.

Thanks to the ref for allowing the game to flow and to Kenny, Barry, Kevin and the Dyce squad for another good game. Good luck in your cup final on Friday and well done again for winning the league.

Boys - enjoy your mini break before the cup final in June