Accies 1 Raith Rovers 0: Scottish Cup Round 3: Tuesday, 8 January 2002

Scottish Cup Round 3, New Douglas Park, Hamilton

Tuesday, 8 January 2002

When Accies signed Brian McPhee from Livingston, I thought he was just another journeyman pro looking for a deal. I have to state right now that his performance against Raith Rovers was perhaps the best individual performance from an Accies player for years.

Brian absolutely dominated this game and I had to pinch myself to realise that we've got him for the next two full seasons after this one. Earlier this week, he received the sponsor's award for the best performance in Round 2. That was nothing compared to his game tonight.

The big man was everywhere. He totally ripped the Raith Rovers defence apart to the extent that they really didn't know how to handle him. The Rovers full back Alvero Tejero was subjected to such a severe roasting that he was probably relieved when referee Stuart Dougal invited him to leave the park after only 42 minutes.In the 30th minute, and after skinning the defender several times, McPhee was eventually beaten and pulled the Raith defender back. Tejero was booked for showing "unsporting behaviour" towards McPhee. Just 12 minutes later, he fouled Brian on the touchline and had to take the short walk back to the dressing rooms.

But Accies should have been ahead by then. With only a couple of minutes on the clock, David McNiven rose to meet a great cross by Stuart Callaghan at the back post but his fine header hit the bar and was cleared. Shortly afterwards, another superb ball by McPhee was swept goalwards by McNiven but was kept out by a fabulous save by Raith 'keeper Simon Miotto.

Raith Rovers offered nothing in the first half and their meagre attacks were easily controlled by the Accies defence.

The pattern of play continued in the second half, with waves of Accies attacks denied by the Raith 'keeper and the visitors playing with only one man up. Stuart Callaghan fired in a brilliant cross just after half time but Brian McPhee's netbound header was parried by Miotto. Almost all of the Accies team had at least one effort on goal, with Steven Renicks and Martin Bonnar coming close.

As the second half wore on it became apparent that Rovers intended to hold out for the draw that would take the tie back to Kirkcaldy. Miotto wasted time at every opportunity and they showed very little ambition. The problem was that they simply could not contain the Accies midfield where McPhee, Ally Graham and Martin Bonnar were totally in control. When you add the undoubted class of Stuart Callaghan out on the left wing then you have a decent Accies midfield. One that should be at the top of the league rather than second bottom spot.

With the clock running down, Accies finally broke the deadlock, thanks to a textbook downward header by Brian McPhee from a pinpoint cross from Callaghan. The celebrations were great and the whole stadium rose to it's feet (figuratively!) Accies nearly doubled their lead with fine efforts from Ally Graham and Stuart Callaghan that were again saved well by Miotto.

With Rovers suddenly chasing the game, they naturally picked up the pace towards the end. Jay Stein came close to equalising but Sean Sweeney blocked his close in shot. They finally managed a couple of shots on Ian Macfarlane's goal but they were low trundlers that were easily picked up.

McPhee won the sponsor's man of the match award. If it had gone to anyone else there would have been a steward's enquiry.

If Accies can translate this kind of form into league points, they will climb the table rather swiftly. Thank you Ally Dawson, for signing Brian McPhee. That was a masterstroke.

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