Crombie Park, Peterculter. 31st August 2024.
There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged, to find ways in which you yourself have altered – Nelson Mandela.
It may only have been a couple of weeks and only my second visit, but I did have a sense of returning to a place of some comfort in completing the ride from Stonehaven (and a considerable incline) over to Peterculter to see Culter’s attempt to reach the first round. The short journey broken at my cousin’s place, and a scoot out to Banchory for the Crathes parkrun.
Another sunny, if blustery, day on the outskirts of Aberdeen, some trepidation among the Culter faithful ahead of what was expected to be a tough test against a Sauchie team with a good number of players who had graced the hallowed turf at Forthbank in Albion colours – Ross Kavanagh, Scott Davidson and Sam Davidson leapt off the team sheet. But it was ex Stirling High pupil Ross Hutchison who set Sauchie on their way with an early, well taken, strike.
Half time and the wait in the pie queue for the mince and mealie pie proved fruitless (well, it would be) and I had to settle for a regular mince affair. Horrible, it was, a real test for my beleaguered dentistry. I was lucky to escape any lasting tooth damage from the rock-hard crust.
The exchanges between supporters were generally cordial, a good few fans had gathered at Black’s beforehand for a couple. I’m less sure as to the merits of shouting at the assistant referee though. From just a few feet away, a Sauchie fan felt he should tell the young chap that he was a “f**king prick”. It’s a curious thing, shouting abuse at the staff of a football match. You would not shout that at a cinema usher, or the 4th violin of your local orchestra, but for some reason, it’s OK at this form of entertainment?
Of course, when you’re an athlete you’re an athlete yourself, your opinion carries that bit more weight.
Sauchie added a second through Ross Kavanagh and seemed in control, quicker to the ball and more comfortable on it. Culter’s late strike through Olisa Anyaegbunam’s deflected shot did give the home fans something to shout about. And they did. Was pleased for him, actually, as he’d been lively since coming on, if a little naive, and the seasoned old hands in the Sauchie side had contrived to get him booked with a cheeky dive or two. Yes, Ross Hutchison, I’m looking at you.
Sauchie held out comfortably enough and were well pleased to be ‘in the hat’ for the next round, the first round proper, with sides from the Highland and Lowland leagues joining in.
So, it was I jumped on the steed and took the old Deeside line into Aberdeen for the train home (a pleasing cuppa with friends as I did so). The line is just as I remember it, station platforms intact and each one given it’s own guide plaque, I read every one. You are carried into the centre of the city in no time, and traffic free. It’s a brilliant resource for the city, and well used.
Can’t wait for Sunday night’s draw now. I’ve enjoyed visiting Aberdeen again and Culter has been fun, recommended, but we move on.
Pub: The Ploughman. Alas no time for dinner, just a quick coffee. Was my late father in law’s favoured haunt, so thought of him as I visited.
Scottish Cup, 2024-25:
Matches: 2
Goals: 7
Miles cycled: 22.48.
Pies: 2
Grounds visited: still just 1.
In the Hat 
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