Bell's League Division 1
New Douglas Park, Hamilton, 30 April 2005
Hamilton Accies 1
Convery 31
Falkirk 0
Report by Gilbert Mowat
With Falkirk having sealed the league title a few weeks ago and Accies having been assured of at least 8th position in the table last week, this game was the first truly meaningless game for Accies for several years. More importantly, it represented the final league match at the stadium for manager Allan Maitland and striker Brian McPhee, whose management skills and goals in an Accies shirt respectively have undoubtedly been the reasons why Accies are not stuck in the middle of Division 2.
With safety assured at Kirkcaldy last week, Allan Maitland rang the changes for this game. Pat Keogh was rested to allow him to recover from the injury he's been carrying, while Derek Ferguson and Mark Corcoran have left the club. Corcoran has joined St Mirren while there's no word on Ferguson's next club. This allowed Maitland to put Stevie Convery and James McArthur in from the start. Brian McPhee had to be content with a place on the bench, much to the disappointment of his admirers in the stand.
To be honest, I thought this was a much more enjoyable game than it had any real right to be. Falkirk looked useful in possession (as you would expect), but they were terrible at running into offside positions. Some of the decisions made by the linesman on the far side were unpopular with the Falkirk fans and players, but they all seemed pretty good to me. They created a couple of decent opportunities, particularly when Darryl Duffy was sent clean through on goal. Happily, Dave McEwan proved again what a find he has been for Accies as he saved at Duffy's feet. The same player hit the foot of the post with a snap shot from 20 yards but apart from that Dave McEwan was in control of everything.
Mark McLaughlin came close to giving Accies the lead when he got onto a perfectly delivered cross from Paquito on the right. However, big Marko didn't even hit the target - a feat which looked almost impossible as he was only a couple of yards out. At the other end, one of the Falkirk attackers went down in a heap in a ludicrous attempt to con a penalty out of the referee - to no avail.
Accies didn't allow themselves to be dominated by the Champions and it was great to see them take the game to them whenever they could. Colin Cramb was probably Accies best player of the half and he really gave the lumbering Falkirk defence a hard time with his clever flicks and neat passing. Crammy was instrumental in the only goal of the game after 31 minutes, when he broke clear on the left. He just beat the outrushing Allan Ferguson to the ball and was faced with a player on the line. Rather than have a go himself, he unselfishly squared the ball to Stevie Convery, who made no mistake from 10 yards. Lee Hardy had a decent chance to extend the lead a few minutes later but fired the straight at Allan Ferguson from close range. Hardy had a good first half, as did Marcel Mahouvé as Accies generally gave a very account of themselves.
After 14 generally uninspired minutes of the second half, Allan Maitland decided it was time for Brian McPhee's last performance at the stadium where he has been such a huge success. He came on for Colin Cramb, who had had a good game. This was the cue for The Bee's first standing ovation for the day. As you might expect, he really put himself about and if anything he was just too eager to please. On one or two occasions, he was just a wee bit elaborate when a simple pass would have done the trick. On the other hand, he did skin the Falkirk defence a couple of times and, to me, showed enough to justify another year at Accies. However, the decision has been made to go with a full time squad next season and it would appear that Brian will be on his way. His best effort was when he cut in from the left and tried to curl the ball into the far corner, bringing a good save out of Allan Ferguson.
Brian Carrigan came on for the tiring Stevie Convery midway through the half and showed both sides of his game. As ever, there were moments of inspiration and also moments of frustration for the fans. He's not big on tracking back, is he? Anyway, towards the end of the game Carrots had two great efforts on goal, either of which could have given Accies a flattering two goal margin of victory. Firstly, he thumped a wonderful dipping shot from 30 yards which Fergie just got back to and tipped over the top. Later, he had a one-on-one with Ferguson but his attempt to "dink" the ball into the net was foiled by another good save.
Falkirk did pile on the pressure towards the end, with Ryan McStay and substitute Brent Rahim looking like excellent players. Happily, the Accies defence were able to mop up whatever was flung at them and after a nervous last couple of minutes, the day ended on a high with the referees whistle.
The entire Accies team took a bow out in the middle and they left the field to well earned applause for their efforts this season. Last man off the park was Brian McPhee, who took one last curtain call in front of the adoring Accies fans before leaving the pitch, clearly upset.
I hope it's not long before we can find a heroic figure to replace him. If he can't stay with Accies, I hope he goes to a club where they appreciate him as much as we have.
Unfortunately, Allan Maitland disappeared up the tunnel to leave his players on the pitch. He deserved a special cheer for his excellent efforts over the last couple of years.
It was great, after so many dreary matches at New Douglas Park, for the last home match to be a victory against the clear Champions. With the club hiring a new manager and investing money in more full time players, the future looks bright for Accies.
Hamilton: McEwan, Paquito, Lumsden, McLaughlin, Hodge, McArthur (Javary 79), Hamilton, Mahouve, Hardy, Cramb (McPhee 59), Convery (Carrigan 67).
Subs Not Used: McLeod, Jellema.
Booked: Lumsden.
Goal: Convery 31.
Falkirk: Ferguson, Kernaghan, Campbell (Scobie 81), James, McPherson, O'Neil (Lawrie 45), MacKenzie (Rahim 68), McStay, Scally, McBreen, Duffy.
Subs Not Used: Ramsay, Hill.
Att: 2,300
Ref: C Melville
© AcciesWorld 2005
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