Accies 0 Ross County 1: 22 January 2005

Bell's Scottish League Division 1

New Douglas Park, Hamilton, 22 January 2005

Report by Gilbert Mowat

Accies' dismal home record came back to haunt them again when they lost this appalling game to a late goal by David Winters. Manager Allan Maitland made three changes to the team that had lost by the same scoreline to Clyde seven days previously, with Iain Fyfe, Robert Walker and Brian McPhee making way for David Hamilton, Brian Carrigan and new signing Lee Hardy. There was a major positional change too, with Pat Keogh playing at the right side of defence.

Accies were probably the better team in the first half, although they only managed to carve out a couple of scoring chances. First of all, Brian Carrigan expertly landed a corner kick right on the head of Pat Keogh at the back post. The big man didn't even need to jump but his header still sailed harmlessly over the bar from about 6 yards out. As it that wasn't bad enough, a corner from the other side taken by Mark Corcoran gave Colin Cramb an even better chance from even closer range but he too was unable to keep the ball down and Colin Stewart's goal remained intact.

Accies were unfortunate not to take the lead just after the half hour mark when Colin Cramb got onto a swinging Brian Carrigan free kick and thumped the ball home. Unfortunately, the linesman's flag was up to indicate that he had mistimed his run. County were not much to write home about in the first half, with a couple of sporadic attacks that didn't trouble Dave McEwan too much. It was goalless at the interval and Accies were certainly the better team in the first half. At times the linking up between Colin Cramb and Brian Carrigan was superb and this gave hope that we were in for a good second period.

Unfortunately, things didn't go to plan after the break. County stepped up a gear and their short passing game and nimble footwork was too good for Accies. The Accies midfield seemed lost much of the time. They neither got forward enough to support the front two of Carrigan and Cramb nor did they track back quickly enough to protect their defence. I don't really like to pick people out, but Lee Hardy was anonymous for 95% of the game. He did have a shot in the second half that sailed 4 feet over the bar, but apart from that he appeared to be out of his depth. It was difficult, watching this, to understand the club's decision to release the more talented Ricky Waddell.

Hardy was partnered in midfield by Jean-Phillipe Javary, who had opted for an unusual "Afro" hairstyle for the game. He would appear to have taken on the Derek Ferguson role of midfield ball winner. He did this reasonably well, but his positional sense was not great and he seemed to be allergic to the forward pass. Although Mark Corcoran did his best, this was not a midfield that was going to win the game. Corky was shifted over to the right wing to accommodate Hardy. Personally, I would like to see our best players, like Corcoran, played in their best position rather than shifted to make way for an untried newcomer. This general criticism of the midfield would not be complete without a few words for David Hamilton. I'm sorry, but I just don't think he's good enough. I know he's been through rough times privately, but even before this game he has not been particularly effective.

Accies had the ball in the net again in the second half, but this one was disallowed for a push by Colin Cramb. As the game went into the final quarter, Accies made a couple of quick substitutions, with youngster James McArthur and Brian McPhee replacing David Hamilton and Brian Carrigan. Personally, although the appearance of the Bee at this stage was most welcome, I would have preferred Carrots to stay on as he was one of the very few Accies players capable of creating anything. A front line of Carrigan, Cramb and McPhee, with support from Mark Corcoran would have been very promising but it wasn't to be.

With Accies committing most of their energy in attack by this point, County were starting to pick holes in a defence that was not being protected by the sluggish midfield. Just moments after a good chance was missed, with a brilliant low cross being fired across the goalmouth, the visitors scored the only goal of the game. It was fitting that a rubbish game was settled by a scrappy, forgettable goal. A defensive lapse gave Alex Burke a clear sight of Dave McEwan's goal. Dave got down well to block, but the ball broke to David Winters. He managed to recover his balance and prodded the ball past Sandy Hodge on the line. County had a couple of half chances to increase their lead but, as mentioned, earlier, they were pretty useless too and didn't score again.

Accies made a final change, with Todd Lumsden coming into the right back position and Javary going off. This didn't make any difference and the Dingwall side held on for the points.

It's hard to think of any positives Accies can take from this display. The combination of Colin Cramb and Brian Carrigan was mostly a success and they played some good passes to one another. They did lack understanding at times, however. In the second half, Brian Carrigan had the ball at his feet and was running at the County defence. Colin Cramb joined him, but instead of peeling off wide, he ran alongside Carrots giving him no opportunity to pass the ball. Hopefully, that kind of thing can be improved on at training.

As a final insult to the fed up Accies fans, match sponsors Cullen Packaging gave the man of the match award to their employee Pat Keogh. The big man had a poor game but this announcement only brought hoots of derision from the stunned Accies fans. He didn't deserve that humiliation.

With County, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South and St Mirren all picking up points, Accies are now red hot favourites to join Raith Rovers in the drop to Division 2. If things stay as they are in the lower leagues, that will be a very tough league containing Raith Rovers, Morton, Gretna and Peterhead. I hope Accies aren't in it...

Hamilton: McEwan, Thomson, Hodge, Carney, Hamilton (McArthur 73), Hardy, Keogh, Javary (Lumsden 82), Corcoran, Carrigan (McPhee 75), Cramb. Subs Not Used: McLeod, Jellema.

Ross County: Stewart, Robertson, Lauchlan, Canning, McCulloch, Rankin, Tiernan, Cowie, McCunnie, Winters, Burke. Subs Not Used: Garden, Malcolm, McGarry, Higgins, MacDonald.

Goal: Winters 77.

Att: 1,476

Ref: S Conroy

- 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