Post match report

Ellon 0 - Culter 3

Ellon United were unable to gain any revenge for their narrow defeat by Culter in their Grill League cup tie of the previous Saturday with Culter picking up the league points thanks to a 3 - 0 win at The Meadows last weekend. With messrs Allsop, Henry, Irvine and Duguid keeping a tight reign on the opposition there was little to chose between the sides until midway through the second half when United were needlessly caught on the break. Ellon gave away possession up front and Culter swung the ball forward first time with Shand on hand to convert Stott’s early low cross. Culter doubled their lead four minutes later through a controversial goal from Ogboke with Ellon claiming that the ball had gone out of play. The goal of the match came in the 78th minute courtesy of a Donald thunderbolt. United were forced to play the closing stages with ten men after Kevin Anderson had to go off with a nasty shoulder injury with all the Ellon subs committed but they should have snatched a late consolation goal from the penalty spot only to be denied by an easy save from Farquhar.

United had an early escape when Wyness was able to break clear but he sent his shot wide. Ellon broke straight up the field with Stewart Henderson just unable to get his head to Matty Edmond’s cross. The home side conceded a silly free kick in a dangerous position but thankfully Kelly wasted the chance.

United tested Farquhar in the 26th minute. Scott Paterson made ground on the right and found Matty Edmond but the Culter keeper was equal to the final shot. Three minutes later Cammy Bruce met a free kick from Scott Henry but his header went wide. Culter hit back with a break from Ogboke but Scott Henry recovered well to clear the danger. United responded with Matty Edmond and Cammy Bruce linking up to find Keith Reid who sent his first time shot wide keeping the sides all square at the interval.

Ellon were first to threaten after the break with a free kick from Scott Henry cleared at the expense of a corner. Culter’s reply saw Richard Bowman turn a drive from Stott. There looked to be no danger in the 66th minute when United cleared the ball forward but the home side were unable to hold the ball up and when Culter won possession they immediately switched the ball long out wide with Shand rushing in to fire home the cross. Worse was to follow four minutes later when the ball was knocked back into the danger area for Ogboke to apply the finishing touch amid United’s strong claims that the ball had gone behind.

The contest was finished in the 78th minute when a long free kick from Robertson broke out to Donald with the Culter full back picking his spot before giving Richard Bowman no chance. United should have grabbed a late consolation goal through a soft penalty but their weak spot kick failed to trouble the keeper.  
           
ELLON UNITED: Bowman, Irvine, Duguid, Henry, Allsop, Petrie, Paterson, Henderson, Edmond, Bruce, Reid. Subs: Anderson, Robertson, Gunn, Robison, Clark, Ord.

CULTER: Farquhar, Donald, Robertson, Smith, Garioch, Kelly, Ellis, Youngson, Ogboke, Wyness, Stott. Subs: Shand, McKimmie, McBain, Craik, McIntosh, Rattray.