Accies 0 Falkirk 1: 16 October 2004

Bell's League Division 1

New Douglas Park, Hamilton, 16 October 2004

Report by Gilbert Mowat

It seems like a lifetime ago when the young Allan Ferguson made the breakthrough into the Accies first X1. When he took over from Rikki Ferguson as Accies goalkeeper he showed plenty of promise and great skill for one so young. A fine career lay ahead - that this did not really come to pass is more down to poor luck with injuries than anything else. On Saturday, he made his return to Hamilton in the Falkirk goal and produced a fabulous performance that won the game for the league leaders.

Manager Allan Maitland made several changes to this game, with young Robert Halliday, Pat Keogh and Brian McPhee all being left out after the win against Airdrie United two weeks previously. That meant a return from suspension for Brian Carrigan, who lined up in midfield alongside Chris Aitken and David Hamilton. These changes made quite a difference to Accies and for the first time in several weeks the midfield was able to create some chances for the front men.

Accies wasted no time in taking the game to the visitors and would have been a couple of goals ahead at the break had it not been for Fergie in goals. The first opportunity fell to Scott Tunbridge, who took advantage of poor defending by Bairns' manager John Hughes. He charged down a clearance and had a clear sight of goal. Allan Ferguson saved his first effort brilliantly and Scott's follow up - a delicate lob - landed on the roof of the net. Next to have a go was Chris Aitken, who meandered through the midfield before unleashing a powerful 22 yard drive. Fergie blocked it again and this time it was Brian Carrigan who was there for the rebound. Carrots was perhaps a wee bit casual with his close range shot and Fergie made the save. It was real head-in-hands stuff for the anguished Accies fans.

The main difference was that the Accies midfield were playing simple short passes to feet and were generally giving Kevin James and John Hughes a tough time. Brian Carrigan was particularly effective - the wee man was playing out of his skin and it was definitely his best game of the season. Chris Aitken and to a lesser extent David Hamilton were both doing their best to justify their selections as well as Accies took charge of the midfield.

Falkirk had a couple of chances too as the play really went from end to end. Portuguese striker Moutinho skinned Mark McLaughlin on the edge of the area and would have scored had it not been for an excellent save by Dave McEwan. Then Russell Latapy fired in a 25 yard free kick that came very close. So the scores were level at the break but it was probably Accies best 45 minutes of football this season.

The second half was a different story. I am not sure of any tactical changes made by John Hughes (or if he put something extra into the half time cuppa) but it was a different Falkirk that came out for the second half. All of a sudden they were passing with much more fluency and picking holes in the Accies defence. The only goal of the game arrived shortly after half time when Pedro Moutinho was given a great through ball by Daryl Duffy and he ran through to chip the ball past Dave McEwan. It was an excellent finish, but many Accies fans were convinced that the striker was offside. (It will be interesting to watch on Scotsport.) However, there weren't many protests form the Accies defence.

Accies had an opportunity to get back into the game a few minutes later when Mark Corcoran was given a shooting chance on the left. Sadly, Allan Ferguson saved well yet again. This time there would have been an Accies man available for a rebound but Fergie held on. Brian McPhee came on for Corky after the hour and he did what he could to get Accies back into the game. The best bit of play from the Bee was a flick on for Scott Tunbridge, whose shot was headed for the top corner until Allan Ferguson tipped it over superbly. It was just not going to be our day.

Falkirk had a couple of chances at the other end, with Darryl Duffy hitting the bar from very close range and Andy Lawrie heading just over from a corner kick. They had the ball in the net near the end but one of their players had been offside. The Falkirk fans celebrated before realising that the flag had been raised. David Hamilton was fooled by it as well, as he kicked the ball upfield for the restart.

Accies had a final chance shortly before the final whistle, when a Brian Carrigan cross ran across the face of the goal with no-one there for the tap-in. An equaliser would have been very welcome but to be honest I thought the visitors just about deserved the win. Allan Ferguson should be given a cut of the other 10 Falkirk players win bonuses for his magnificent display.

So if this was yet another home defeat (that's 3 in a row), there is no reason to be too downhearted. Falkirk are the best this division has to offer and Accies gave them a really hard game. I think this performance would have been enough to beat any other team in the league and it augurs well for the remainder of the campaign. But there's no doubt that the quality of the finishing must improve and very quickly too.

The games against Raith Rovers and St Mirren are ones that Accies should certainly be capable of winning - some points are needed very soon if we're not to become detached in 9th position.

Hamilton: McEwan, Thomson, McLaughlin, Hodge, Hamilton (Lumsden 87), Fyfe (Arbuckle 69), Aitken, Waddell, Carrigan, Tunbridge, Corcoran (McPhee 57).

Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Jellema.

Booked: Aitken.

Falkirk: Ferguson, Lawrie, Hughes, James, McPherson, MacKenzie, O'Neil, Latapy, Nicholls, Duffy, Moutinho.

Subs Not Used: Thomson, Scally, McBreen, Henry, Hill.

Goal: Moutinho 51.

Att: 2,870

Ref: H Dallas

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