Stranraer 0 Accies 2: Saturday 30 October 1999
Accies made a successful trip down to Stranraer yesterday, returning with all 3 points. Accies made a few changes following the last game at Dumfries, with Ian McFarlane replacing the suspended Chris Reid in goal, Gordon Hunter coming in for the injured Bill Davidson in defence and newcomer Gerry Crossley making his debut in midfield. This meant that Nicky Henderson moved up front in place of the suspended Iain Ferguson.
It's got to be said that Stranraer was cold and wet yesterday and the poor game matched the weather. Accies took the lead early in the first half when Mark McGeown in the home goal could only parry a fierce shot from Gerry Crossley and Steve McCormick scored from the rebound.
The second goal should have arrived midway through the second half. Nicky Henderson had a clear shot at goal, but his low effort was stopped by McGeown's feet. The ball looped into the air and Steve McCormick had a clear header at an open goal. He missed, much to the disgust of the fairly noisy Accies support. The second goal arrived, ironically just after I'd agreed with a friend that Mark McGeown was a really good 'keeper who had always played well against us for his various clubs, notably Stirling Albion. Well, hush my mouth! Gerry Crossley hit a free kick high into the box and McGeown clearly thought it was going over the bar. It went under the bar.
As far as the football was concerned, that was really it. Stranraer never looked like scoring and I'm sure that McFarlane didn't have a save to make, apart from fielding the occasional cross or pass back. There were the usual scything tackles from Darren Henderson, but the referee must have been in a benevolent mood. Ross McLaren was booked for a fairly routine foul, as were a few of the Stranraer players. Towards the end, there was the usual round of substitutions, none of which had any real bearing on this tedious match.
Accies were the better team throughout. When players like Renicks, Ferguson, McFarlane and Davidson return, I can see no reason why we shouldn't climb this poor league fairly rapidly.
There were a few other things going on, however.
There was a rumour that the Accies players haven't been paid this month. If this is true, it's not the first time and is a disgrace. You can't expect players to do well if they're not being paid. Think how you'd feel if you were in that position.
I'm told that Chief Executive Bill Sherry gave a "V" sign to some Accies fans. Before you recoil in disgust, however, you should know that a very vocal group of fans positioned themselves right in front of the Directors box and chanted about Watson and Sherry for much of the match. The local plod told them to calm down at half time. If I got that kind of provocation, I'd have gone further than Sherry.
A lady in front of me typified the Stranraer support. She had a cushion, travelling rug, grey hair and a box of Terry's chocolate orange segments. She was horrified at the bad language of one of the more vocal Accies supporters and was in risk of a whiplash injury from the number of time she looked round in disgust. See these foul mouthed ruffians from the north? Tsk!
Billy McLaren still gives the impression of being a psycopath in a tracksuit and cap.
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