A solid, professional performance from Culter Boys this lunchtime saw them lift the Belmont Trophy at Jamieson Park after defeating FDS 97s 4-0.

In a largely even opening quarter of an hour, neither team were quite able to carve out any clear cut chances.  That was until the deadlock was broken in the 15^th minute when the unfortunate Bruce Dryburgh headed past his own keeper to give Culter the lead.  Craig Mackie put in a dangerous cross from the right which the defender had to try and intercept, but in doing so inadvertently headed into his own net.

A fine individual goal doubled Culter’s lead in the 21^st minute.  Aidan Combe picked up the ball in his own half and drove forward at the FDS defence before drilling his low shot from range in off the right hand post.

FDS did their best to fight back; a Dryburgh free kick into the box just needed a tap in at the back post, but nobody was there to oblige.  James Bartlett then went had a chance when the ball broke to him all alone on the edge of the box, but his shot blazed over the bar.

On the half hour mark Culter had a great chance to add a third.  Kieran Fowler went on a superb run down the left wing, beating half the FDS defence single-handedly.  However, his unselfish attempt to square the ball was intercepted and the danger cleared.

Just five minutes later though, Fowler did find the net and gave his side a 3-0 lead with a simple, composed header at the back post.  Combe almost finished FDS off on the stroke of half time when he was put through one-on-one, but lifted his lob over the bar.

It only took until four minutes into the second half however, for Culter to notch number four; Aidan Combe getting his second goal of the game, getting on the end of a free kick to head home.

In the 48^th minute, Zack Griffiths showed great fight and determination on the left wing to win the ball and fizz a ball across the face of goal, nobody was quite able to touch it into the net though.

There then followed a lull in the game, in which defences were decidedly on top.  This was broken though when FDS’ Jason Davie drew a save from David Dey with an ambitious lob on 62 minutes.  In an unusual tactical switch, FDS’ keeper then swapped positions with outfield player Daniel Probyn.

Culter would continue to dominate though, substitute Blair Conacher did well to beat a defender before curling his effort just wide of the top corner with 15 minutes to go.  Three minutes later Griffiths’ audacious overhead kick flew just the wrong side of the post.

The game was over as a contest by this point, but credit must go to FDS as they never stopped trying, and created a couple more decent chances.  First, with 71 minutes on the clock, Scott Farquharson’s cross-come-shot needed to be tipped over the bar by Dey.

The Ben Hessell went on a terrific driving run through the middle, leaving three defenders in his wake.  But, having done the hard part, Hessell dragged his shot from the edge of the box well wide, and the Culter saw out the remaining few minutes comfortably.

It just didn’t quite happen for FDS on the day then, but they can come away with their heads held high.  They did well to reach the final and were not disgraced by any means.  Culter though were definitely the better team and will be delighted with their thoroughly deserved victory.  Recent misfortune in a number of semi finals will only add to their satisfaction of finally clinching a trophy.