Accies 1 Raith Rovers 0: 11 December 2004

Bell's Scottish Football League Division 1

New Douglas Park, Hamilton, 11 December 2004

Report by Gilbert Mowat

In the future, the statistics for this game will reveal that Accies won the game 1-0, courtesy of a single goal by Brian McPhee in the 87th minute. That will hide the fact that this was a remarkable game, with Accies having about 90% of the possession and creating umpteen chances that were all scorned. Except for one.

This was really a game that both sides just had to win. For Rovers, it represented a vital game as they run out of time in their seemingly doomed attempt to prevent relegation into Division 2. I actually expected much more from Rovers. Given the circumstances, I thought they would come out and have a real go at Accies. But when a team hasn't won an away match for 14 months, the players must take to the pitch in expectation of another defeat. In this game, Rovers might have thought they could have a go at Accies, but they came across a home team that was fired up and superior to them in every department.

If this game meant a lot to Rovers, it was equally crucial to the hoops. At last there was the possibility that they could climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since the middle of October. For that to happen, Accies had to win and Partick had to fail to beat Clyde at Broadwood. Accies manager Allan Maitland would have been encouraged before the game at being able to include Pat Keogh, Brian Carrigan, David Carney and David Hamilton in his squad.

Accies took the game to the visitors from the start and came agonisingly close to taking the lead after just 4 minutes, when great work by Mark Corcoran on the wing left Brian McPhee with just Rovers goalkeeper Pounoussamy to beat. The Bee fired his shot low, but the French goalie got a touch to it and the ball hit the post. Accies attacked at will and shortly afterwards a sublime defence splitting pass by Chris Aitken left Brian McPhee in the clear again. He just beat Pounoussamy to the ball but was too wide from goal to shoot. He crossed the ball into the middle but Mark Corcoran was unable to convert the chance.

This was followed by probably Rovers' best attempt on the Accies goal with a shot from the edge of the area, but Dave McEwan saved comfortably. Accies really dominated the half and Pounoussamy made excellent saves from Scott Tunbridge and Sandy Hodge when goals looked certain to come. Just before the interval, a brilliant Chris Aitken free kick from the right was headed just over by Brian McPhee. The only downside of the half came when Mark Corcoran was yellow carded for diving. It seemed a bit harsh; does this mean that if you fall over because of a tackle or because you have over-stretched that you are entitled to be booked? It was ironic because the same player had been the victim of a number of "robust" tackles by several of the Rovers defenders.

The visitors came close to stunning Accies just after the break when some poor marking gave a Rovers striker a chance to shoot but he sliced the ball hopelessly wide of the goal. Accies quickly took charge of things again and it was almost continuous one-way traffic towards the Spice of Life stand. Corky was having a fine game and at long last Mendy got his well earned caution for hauling him back when he had a chance to run in on goal.

Just after the hour mark, Allan Maitland made his first change with Pat Keogh replacing Iain Fyfe. Fyfe had done really well at right back and got some richly deserved applause when he went off. (Having said that, he didn't have much to defend against!) Big Paddy was slotted into the midfield as Accies refused to release their grip of the game. Some good play in midfield by Keogh gave Mark Corcoran a one on one with Pounoussamy. Just as Corky was about to shoot, a defender made a last ditch tackle and the ball was somehow diverted just over the top.

With games like this, there is always the danger the the inferior opposition will somehow fluke their way to victory. With Accies putting all their energy into attack, they left things a wee bit open at the back and Dave McEwan had to make a fine save when it looked like Brady would score. Accies charged forward yet again and this time a thumping Mark Corcoran shot was blocked by Brian McPhee. It really felt like it was going to be one of those days, and when Brian McPhee somehow headed a great cross over the top from just a few yards out some fans headed for the exit. (I still don't understand how you can leave a game at 0-0 with 10 minutes to go!)

So this fan was beginning to think that it was going to be another crushing disappointment for Accies when they scored and everyone went berserk. Brian McPhee fought for the ball about 25 yards out and let fly with a raging shot. It looked to be heading wide from my vantage point, (and I heard a few people start to moan), but it struck the inside of Pounoussamy's post and nestled sweetly behind him. Pandemonium!!!!

Accies had to endure a couple of minutes before the final whistle and Brian McPhee nearly doubled the lead for Accies when he chipped Pounoussamy, but he missed the target by a couple of yards.

The final whistle was very welcome, but the fact is that Accies were the better team by miles. If Rovers had managed to grab a point, it would have been an act of outrageous larceny.

Scott Tunbridge was given the man of the match award by the sponsors, but equally valid claims could have been made by Brian McPhee and perhaps Mark Corcoran. This was a fine team performance and it augurs well for the remainder of the season. Accies have edged above Partick Thistle and are just two points behind Ross County. It will be tough to stay up, but that doesn't take the shine off a good weekend for Allan Maitland and his players.

Rovers were extremely poor and struck me as being a team that would struggle in Division 2. Had it not been for an inspired game by Rudy Pounoussamy in goal, they would have been thumped.

Hamilton: McEwan, Fyfe (Keogh 62), Thomson, McLaughlin, Hodge, Waddell, Ferguson (Hamilton 81), Aitken (Carrigan 71), Corcoran, Tunbridge, McPhee. Subs Not Used: Carney, Jellema.

Booked: Corcoran, Ferguson.

Goals: McPhee 87.

Raith: Pounoussamy, Mendy (Sacko 63), Smart, Dennis, Miller, Davidson, Ouattara, Bartholome, Brady, Martin (Young 88), Ebanda. Subs Not Used: Malcolm, Raffel, Hall.

Booked: Martin, Mendy, Davidson.

Att: 1,371

Ref: I Fyfe

© AcciesWorld 2004

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