Raith Rovers 1 Accies 1: Saturday, 22 March 2003

Scottish League Division 2, Starks Park, Kirkcaldy

Saturday, 22 March 2003

Report by Gilbert Mowat

Accies showed again that they are capable of competing with the best team in the division with this well deserved point against the champions, Raith Rovers. This was their third draw against the Fifers this term and the second time they have burst many fixed odds coupons with a share of the points at Kirkcaldy.

Accies lined up with just one change from the team that had lost to Stranraer in midweek, with trialist Alan McDermott replacing big Ally Graham. This meant there was a bit of a tactical reshuffle, with the bleached-blonde Brian McPhee moving up front alongside fellow peroxide boy Allan Russell.

After an initial opening flurry from the home side, it was Accies who came close to taking the lead within the first 10 minutes. Dylan Kerr did really well to find Gareth Armstrong in acres of space wide on the right. Gareth cut inside the full back but Ally Graham could only pull the cutback wide from about 10 yards out. Accies were to regret that miss after 17 minutes when some criminal ball-watching from the Accies defence at a corner gave Raith centre back Cristian Patino the chance to bullet the ball past the exposed Graham Potter from 6 yards out.

Accies were not too disheartened by this and Brian McPhee brought the best out of home goalkeeper Raul with a fine downward header from a great cross by Allan Russell. Jim Sherry got onto the rebound but was foiled by the home defence. Raith Rovers did have a few attacks in the first half, but they tended to fizzle out before they reached Graham Potter. At half time, the mood was one of disappointment at being behind, although Accies had certainly played well in the first half. That's not to deny that the home team had the upper hand in terms of possession.

The second half was only 40 seconds old when Paquito missed an easy chance with only Graham Potter to beat. It looked like Accies were in for a tough time, but to everyone's surprise they equalised after only two minutes of the second period. Paul McDonald was the man who did the damage, with a great run down the left wing and a fine cross that was thumped into his own net (via the crossbar) by veteran defender Shaun Dennis.

Shortly after the goal, Allan Russell was a bit hasty with a half chance and his volley flew over the crossbar. If the first half had belonged to the Fifers, there can be no doubt that Accies were the top team in the second half as they put in a display that belied their lowly league position.

The home team did have their chances, most notably when Shaun Dennis capitalised on a poor Graham Potter kickout and fired a venomous shot towards the goal. Fortunately, new man Alan McDermott was there to head the ball off the line. Play raged back to the other end and Gareth Armstrong dispossessed a Raith defender wide on the Accies left. His great low cross just eluded Allan Russell at the far post.

Accies were now playing with real confidence and were twice denied by the crossbar. First of all, Brian McPhee produced his best bit of play since his return from injury when he skinned the full back only to see his 18 yard thunderbolt crash off the crossbar. Our poor luck was to continue when Stuart Callaghan found Gareth Armstrong in acres of space in front of goal. He dithered over his shot a wee bit but then thumped it off the bar from only about 6 yards out. If only one of these chances had been taken...

Raith turned up the pressure a wee bit but they didn't really produce anything that Graham Potter couldn't handle. Accies held on for a well deserved point and they left the field to sustained applause from the travelling fans gathered in the main stand.

Incidentally, referee Kenny Clark had one of those quiet games all referees dream of. He booked no-one and there wasn't a bad tackle in this entertaining and sporting contest.

Hamilton: Potter, Alisdair Graham, Dobbins, Kerr, McDonald (Cunnington), Armstrong, McDermott, Sherry, Callaghan, McPhee, Russell (Flynn).

© AcciesWorld 2003

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