Grahams Report

MAUD RUE DAY OUT AT CULTER
Six undefended goals and a penalty that only the ref saw, brought Maud crashing back down to reality. A very poor performance overall albeit some good flashes of inspiration at times let down by lack of concentration at the back. For the first 10 minutes Maud were up for this game as the quick launched ball upfield from Leask were causing Culter problems but even after A Davidson sent in a cross along the open goal no one was quick enough to snap the chance. Finally Culter's persistence paid off. A through ball onto McBain who slipped past Maud's defence to push the shot past Leask in the 14th minute as cries of off side from Maud went unheeded. Maud came back into the game and a free kick taken by Murray crossed over to Powell at the near side post could only be headed past. Winning another free kick about 22 yards out in front of the semi circle, Murray sent the shot over the wall and after hitting the keeper, Culter finally managed to clear the danger. Ligertwood had a half chance to score when he found himself faced with a clear shot on goal but sent it past the right post. From a throw in from the right, Culter crossed the ball onto the head of the unmarked Shand who nodded in for the second in the 28th minute. Culter won a free kick on the left just short of the corner flag was whipped in and could only be parried out by Leask for the striker to shoot high over the bar. After a brief spell in Culter's half, Maud found themselves defending from a poor clearance from Pirie. A great aimed cross in was again met by Shand who got himself past 3 defenders to add his second of the afternoon in the 42nd minute. So half time came and Maud went in 3 goals down ruing missed chances and poor marking.
At the start of the second half, Middleton replaced Usher. Maud survived a scare as a launched in cross from the left could only be headed over the bar by the Culter striker followed shortly with another cross in causing Maud more problems. Culter on the attack worked their way into Maud's box and the striker went down for what must be one of the softest penalties this season. Up stepped Campbell and sending Leask the wrong way made in four for Culter in the 54th minute. Leask denied Culter a fifth shortly after with a great defensive save. Sustained pressure from Culter paid off in the 69th minute when a poor clearance from Leask was passed left along the 18 yard box to Brown who chipped it over Leask and into the net. Finally Maud started to play some football in this half and a won free kick which had to be retaken was launched in over the wall by Middleton and in off the crossbar to pull one back for Maud in the 73rd minute. Stepping up the play a good shot on target by A Whyte was tipped past the post by Pirie in goals. From the corner it was cleared out as far as A Davidson who could only manage to shoot wide right of the post. Again in the 81st minute Brown found himself unmarked and with the ball at his feet, did exactly the same as his first and chipped the ball over Leask for Culters sixth. In the 85th minute play up the left by Culter saw Cadger finish off the move for goal seven. Giving Maud credit they fought to the end but the damage had already been done. Next week Maud are away to Aberdeen East End with a 1.45pm kick off looking to bounce back with a better performance.