Scottish Cup Round 3 Replay, New Douglas Park, Hamilton
Monday, 10 February 2003
Report by Gilbert Mowat
Accies never make it easy for themselves. This was a game that they won but which should have been a canter for them. In the end, the usual defensive frailties came back to torment them once again and the good work was nearly wasted.
With Darren Gribben off to Wales on international duty and Allan Russell rubbish at the weekend, Chris Hillcoat understandably brought back Brian McPhee into the front line. What was a surprise was the inclusion of young Andy Arbuckle, making his first starting appearance at right back, with Ally Graham pushed further forward. Paul McDonald was brought in to replace the ineligible Dylan Kerr.
Accies took the lead after only 10 minutes when a wind assisted Paul McDonald corner was headed into the net at the near post by Gareth Armstrong. The stadium announcer awarded the goal to McDonald, but it has since been officially credited to Armstrong. (Having since seen the videotape, it looks like the 'keeper punched McDonald's cross straight into the net!)
The fans then relaxed a wee bit but sadly this spread to the players on the park. Andy Arbuckle passed the ball straight to a Queens forward in the middle of the park. It was knocked wide to the left where Arbuckle was skinned by the Queens man. Graham Potter made an excellent save, but the rebound was knocked home by John Gemmill.
Accies regained the lead after 27 minutes when Brian McPhee headed home a Paul McDonald free kick from the right. It looked for a moment that the defender might have got a touch as well but it was certainly McPhee's goal. Accies really dominated the remainder of the half and Ally Graham was twice unfortunate not to extend the lead. First of all, he got on the end of a deep cross but his volley hit the top of the bar and went out. The second chance for Graham followed a brilliant bit of individual skill from Gareth Armstrong on the wing which ended with a low hard cross into the area. Graham got on the end of it but could only stab the ball past the post. Just before the break, Brian McPhee made a good run into the area but sliced his shot into the side net.
For all their dominance, Accies still occasionally looked a bit ropey at the back. Ian Dobbins still looks to be out of his depth and this was illustrated by an incident just before half time. He gave the ball away to Queens and could only stop their forward by hacking him down 25 yards from goal, to earn a well deserved yellow card. Fortunately, the free kick came to nothing.
It didn't take Accies long to increase their lead after the break. Stuart Callaghan hit the ball high into the penalty area, right on top of the Queens goalie. He fumbled the ball under pressure from Gareth Armstrong and "Bo" thumped it home from close range.
With the game apparently safe, Accies then began to play a bit better. They fell a bit short of actually creating many chances but they took a grip of the game for long spells. Gareth Armstrong came close to completing his first hat-trick with a thumping left foot shot that was well saved by the Queens Park goalkeeper.
So it was a bit of a pain when Queens pulled a goal back with 8 minutes remaining. The original error came from Allan Russell, who had replaced Johnny Walker midway through the half. (Walker had done quite well again and the applause when he left the pitch wasn't totally sarcastic for a change!). Anyway, a hopeful crossfield pass from a Queens man went right under Russell's foot on the edge of the area and it went out for a Queen's throw-in. Their long throw expert hurled it into the box where Sean Sweeney's headed clearance appeared to hit Ally Graham's heel. The ball rebounded into the 6 yard box where it was squeezed home by their substitute forward David Menelaws.
This was the cue for some frantic defending by Accies for the last 10 minutes with several long throws and corners causing the defence real concern. A Queens forward had a clear opportunity from the edge of the area but shot high over the bar. Accies scrambled the ball away on more than one occasion.
However, Stuart Dougal eventually decided that enough was enough and with a blast of his whistle sent Accies into round 4 and a very hazardous trip to Inverness in 12 days time.
Hamilton: Potter, Sweeney, Dobbins, McDonald, Alistair S Graham, Bonnar, Walker (Russell 73), Callaghan, McPhee, Arbuckle, Armstrong.
Subs Not Used: McCreadie, Elfallah, Alisdair Graham, McFarlane. Booked: Dobbins.
- Read the fans' memories, or add your own, via this link.
- Please contact us if you have any information that will improve this page or if you spot any mistakes.
Images
Videos
Links and References