Forfar Athletic 3 Accies 0: Saturday 3 November 2001

Bells League Division 2

Station Park, Forfar, Saturday 3 November 2001

Saturday night was yet another night of misery for Accies fans everywhere, though especially for those who made the long trek to Forfar. The two hundred hardy souls were in good spirits until the moment came to depart the warm atmosphere of the Commercial Hotel and step into the windswept void of Station Park. Memories were fresh of the stinking Berwick performance and the faithful were not confident of a return to f - wait a minute, we've not actually had any 'form' for three years.

And lo, the prophecy of the Accies cynics came to pass. Ally gave unto the disciples a team of no midfield and shaky defence. With Renicks at sweeper unably assisted by the equally honking Nelson, heads were disappearing into hands before the first minute was complete. The marauding and imposing figure of Ally Graham was to play on the right complemented by man-legend

McDonald on the right who would be fed by Martin. Colossus Bonnar would anchor the midfield with the balding ex Chelsea machine Mark Nicholls. McNiven and Moore up front completed a line up, which although hit by injury and far from impressive, should have been capable of taking at least a point at Forfar.

Accies had the bulk of possession in the first half with Forfar more than content to sit back and hit on the break. McDonald saw his fair share of ball, however seemed happy to meander around without any urgency. Or pace. Or skill. He wasted several fine opportunities to feed Moore who was buzzing around making a nuisance of himself. Moore had the best chance of the first

period, rattling the post from ten yards when the goal was at his mercy. Nicholls came close with one rasping effort, as did Moore on two occasions with headers.

As usual, all Accies huffing and puffing resulted in the inevitable. Forfar easily soaked up the pressure, with very little danger in the box. That perennial Accies favourite, the shocking final ball, was top of the menu during the first half with the 'painfully slow passing around the box which is eventually given cheaply away' for afters.

Forfar also had one of two efforts in the first half and should have scored when the AWOL defensive 'unit' allowed Forfar to play shooty-in for the best part of a minute until the ball was ineptly blasted over the bar.

As the half wore on, the boredom factor rose and several players were looking more wretched. The wheels were clearly coming off the ineffective system with McDonald, Martin and Graham as those who were to feed the front two playing abysmally. Nicholls began to wander as he tried to play in the position of two men at once, thanks to Bonnar who was doing nothing useful in all the wrong places. Moore was trying hard though begging for scraps, whereas McNiven was stuck in no man's land, neither playing as a striker or midfielder.

The second half began much as the first had ended and Bonnar got down to work straight away by giving away the ball at every opportunity. The team looked devoid of ideas and certainly lacked drive. Apart from Moore, not one player was on their toes. McDonald buggered off for a Bridie, such was his lack of effort and distance from any possible attack. The system quickly descended into shambles, with players forgetting to track back and cover. Gaughan and Nelson began to push forward aimlessly as Nichols tired and another valueless, deficient Graham performance reached its hand-wringing crescendo. Soon the sheer lack of shape and gaping holes became apparent to Forfar, who had been sleep walking through the game. Sensing the smell of

shite, a free kick, taken INSIDE the Forfar half was HEADED down by the unchallenged Barrie Moffat at the far post into the net. Excuse Me?

The hallmark of the Ally Dawson side is; once a goal down capitulate. And capitulate they did in grand style. Forfar ran riot, with the entire Accies side becoming seemingly two dimensional. I swear, Forfar players actually ran straight through the transparent Bonnar.

As night fell, the Accies fans were busy stoking up the wicker man and top of the list for sacrifice was Bonnar. And Graham. And McDonald. And Renicks, who was being tortured by the Forfar forwards. During the last ten minutes Renicks had the look of a dog which has mistakenly wandered into the Chunky Chicken factory.

Although Accies were never going to equalise, Forfar made sure of the three points in the closing stages. Kevin Byers tanned the ball from 25 yards. Spookily, it passed straight through Graham Potter like a Hamilton butcher's pie. As the Accies fans piled round to the stand to implore Ally Dawson to consider his resignation, Sean Christie lobbed Potter following puerile defending. 3-0 and Accies behaved and looked like a well beaten side. The Fans, almost to a person, went daft. Dawson in the stand, sitting with the redcoats and hangers-on, was impassive except for a hearty chuckle at a George McLauchlin quip. As the players trooped off the field, heads down, Martin Bonnar found it within himself to give the fans a warming gesture; was it 'all the best', Martin?

Although some supporters were a little worse for wear and doled out some abuse long before the end of the game, they were very much in the minority. The majority who lost their patience by the end of the game had good right to do so. Yet another in a long line of unacceptable performances and results. They witnessed another totally lacklustre, inept and pitiable performance from a team which was so poorly organised and under-motivated it was incredible to believe they were a full time outfit. Again, Accies suffered from a lack of skill, imagination and endeavour. Too many poor performances from players who can't cut it even at this level. How Bonnar, Graham and Renicks start every week while playing like that is beyond most people's comprehension. Nicholls tired badly, McDonald has already retired in so far as I can tell. McNiven was punchless, Nelson inferior, Martin

woeful, Gaughan faulty. Moore tried hard but came up short.

Again, we travelled for the best part of two hours to watch drivel. Dawson isn't good enough. He hasn't got enough about him to change a game when his team isn't working. His side lacks bite and motivation. His team selection and signings have been universally poor. If Accies go one down, it's all over. We are a full time team and the never ending barrage of minging performances had to end. We've all had enough.

Surely now it is time for those ultimately responsible in Deeka for the steady and endless ruination of our club to go and take their incompetent placemen away with them. Gie us peace, please.

Forfar: Brown, Morris, Good, Henry, Horn, Rattray, Sellars, Lunan, Moffat, Byers, Stewart.

Subs: McMaster, Christie, Williams, Walker, Ferrie.

Hamilton: Potter, Renicks, Martin, Nelson, Gaughan, Bonnar, Graham,

Nicholls, Moore, McNiven, McDonald.

Subs: Armstrong, Walker, Lurinsky, Dobbins, Evans

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