Culter Boys v Kemnay FC Juve

Culter Boys 3 Kemnay FC Juve 2

It was a skeleton Kemnay squad that headed for Cults to play Culter Boys in the latest Development League fixture. Matthew Robertson unfortunately missed the game through illness, Cameron sustained an injury at training the previous Friday and Liam became the first team member to be affected by volcanic ash, being stranded in Shetland! Nevertheless seven was enough to play the game so we kicked off on a fine morning in fine fettle.

The game started at a great pace and quickly developed into an entertaining end-to-end affair with both teams trying to play football the way it should be played, with the ball on the ground and with terrific passing and movement. If anything, Kemnay maybe had slightly the better of the opening exchanges. Lewis saw a good shot go over the bar after good build up play between Matthew and Sebastian and further good link up between the midfield two saw Ethan set up with a chance shortly after but he shot just wide. Culter too were playing their part in a really good opening 20 and came close themselves, their striker heading just over with Archie stranded. Another attack soon after required Mason to show great strength in the tackle to clear the danger.

Lewis came close again shortly after when he shot wide and then it was Ethan and Sebastians turn to show some lovely passing before setting up Matthew. He ran onto a great through ball before rattling the crossbar with a shot that had the Culter goalkeeper beaten all ends up. Two follow up shots from Lewis and Sebastian were saved by the impressive home keeper (more on him later!). Culter continued to press the visiting defence and showed some excellent counter attacking, however each time they got close to the Kemnay goal they found Mason and Reuben in great form, particularly in standing up to their opponents and forcing the attackers into less threatening positions, something which the coaches have tried to encourage and which on the day was executed really well.

The game continued to rage from end to end. Lewis fed Sebastian with a neat pass. He in turn released Ethan with a lovely through ball but he saw his powerful shot well saved. The keeper released the ball early and set his striker free but his shot went wide. Sebastian then played a terrific 1-2 with Matthew but unfortunately just lost control when in front of goal. The only thing missing from this game was a goal but it finally arrived just before the end of the first 20 (yes, all this happened in the first period, it was that good a game!) The reporter is ashamed to say that he can't actually remember the whole build up but following a corner the ball bounced about in the Culter box and after something of a stramash (c) Arthur Montford, Matthew reacted quickest to poke the ball home past the home keeper to give Kemnay a 1-0 lead that they maybe just merited.

With only 7 players the Kemnay team could have been forgiven for tiring heading into the second period, but in fact they, along with Culter started where they'd left off in the first 20. The first chance fell to Kemnay. Sebastian again released the energetic Matthew on the right, he sent in a pinpoint cross which Ethan met brilliantly with his head. His header was netbound until the Culter goalkeeper while diving the wrong way somehow managed to change direction and stick out his left hand to divert the ball behind for a corner. A great move and a stunning save!

Culter continued to press for an equaliser and continued to play some lovely one touch football. They came close on numerous occasions, but they were kept out by the impressive Mason / Reuben partnership and by Archie who was rock-solid in goal when he had to be. Chances were being created by both teams. Matthew again showed the Culter midfield a clean pair of heels and came close again with a shot that whistled past the keepers outstretched hand, only to rattle the right hand post. Kemnay continued to press for a second and following a terrific corner from the left, Mason headed just over. Shortly after Sebastian set Matthew away again and his cross was shot just wide by Ethan. Kemnay were then denied their second goal of the game. Matthew made a great run down the right and centred for Ethan to stroke home first time with aplomb. Unfortunately the ball had gone out earlier in the move so the referee brought the game back for a throw to Culter.

Archie was then called upon to dive full length to his left to divert a powerful Culter shot round the post for a Culter corner and it was from the resulting corner that the home team got back on level terms. Kemnay were unable to clear the ball at the first time of asking and the Culter striker reacted quickest to fire home from close range.

You'd have thought that the game might slow down a bit, but no. Thankfully for the watching spectators, the third period was as good as the previous two. Culter got the best possible start taking the lead, but for Kemnay it was something of a lesson in playing to the whistle. Matthew in trying to control a bouncing ball in the box, saw it bounce up and on to his arm. Expecting a penalty to be awarded, Kemnay stopped playing, the Culter striker didn't and he gave Archie no chance from close range to make it 2-1 to the home team.

This appeared to affect Kemnay briefly and after a great break from their own half Culter added a third with a powerful rising shot. Rather then let the heads go down though, Kemnay, roared on by a noisy and encouraging support rolled their sleeves up and went about getting back into the game. Sebastian released Lewis on the left, he took a good touch before stinging the Culter keeper's fingers with a good low shot. He could only parry the ball and an off-balance Ethan could only put the rebound over the bar from close range. If there's one thing Ethan is though, it's persistent. He sent a header just wide shortly after from a lovely Sebastian cross. Culter came close but saw a good shot bravely blocked by Reuben when a goal seemed certain.

Kemnay, despite their limited numbers appeared to get a second wind from somewhere (Jaffa Cakes are a wonderful thing!) Despite being on the wrong end of a couple of tough tackles, Matthew made up several yards to beat his marker to the ball in a wide position. He squared for Ethan and he made no mistake from close range to make the score 3-2. This was no more than Ethan deserved for a tireless shift up front on his own. Kemnay now had the bit between their teeth and looked to be finishing strongly. Ethan showed great tenacity to bustle through two tackles but saw his good shot again saved by the Culter goalkeeper. From the resulting corner, Culter cleared and Mason shot just wide. The resulting corner came to nothing and the referee blew for full time, at which stage all who had been watching applauded both teams for a terrific game of football.

This was probably the best game I've watched all season and despite their shortage of numbers, Kemnay really matched up to Culter all over the pitch. Both teams really played well, building from the back when the opportunity presented itself, showing some lovely passing and movement, great tenacity, but above all fantastic sportsmanship. Huge credit must go to both teams for a great spectacle, thanks too go to Mark and his Culter Boys squad who made a huge contribution to a great game that totally eclipsed the Aberdeen v Falkirk game 24 hours earlier. Despite the narrow defeat, the game really was as close as the result suggests and had Kemnay managed to sneak an equaliser as they almost did, I don't think anyone could have denied that they deserved it.

Kemnay FC Player of the Match - I'd actually like to give it to all 20 players that were there, because each of them made a great contribution. That said, every Kemnay player was terrific. When called upon, Archie again showed how good a goalkeeper he is with some great saves and excellent distribution, the midfield worked their socks off for an hour and created loads of chances and Ethan was as energetic as he was determined and was rewarded with a goal. But this week the Player of the match is going to go to a defender. Both Mason and Reuben were fantastic, not just in denying Culter time and again, but also in motivating their teammates in front of them. To be honest if I had a 7-sided coin, I could toss it and be pleased with the result regardless where it fell but this week it's going to Reuben, for his defending, for his willingness to stand up and not over-commit to tackles, for his bravery and for his distribution on both his left and right sides.

Next up a home game against ALC Lewis Colts - more of the same please boys!