Raith Rovers 0 Accies 2: 23 April 2005

Bell's Scottish Football League Division 1

Starks Park, Kirkcaldy, 23 April 2005

Report by Gilbert Mowat

Accies confirmed their status as a first division club for next season with this disciplined and professional win against the relegated Rovers at Starks Park. With Clyde and Airdrie fans elsewhere hoping that their clubs would be the ones to put the final nail in Partick Thistle's coffin, it is perhaps appropriate that it was Accies who sealed their fate. Allan Maitland confirmed to the press after the game that the club would revert to full time status for next season, which also meant that he will not be around to take charge. If this is true, Allan can leave with his head held high and an excellent reputation after two superb years in charge of the Hoops.

It was clear from last week's dreadful display against Ross County that changes would have to be made. With Mark McLaughlin serving a one game suspension, Todd Lumsden and Sandy Hodge were paired at the centre of defence, with Lee hardy being deployed as a left wing-back. Derek Ferguson and David Hamilton replaced James McArthur and Jean Phillipe Javary in midfield and Colin Cramb was paired up front with Pat Keogh.

Accies got off to a cracking start and Pat Keogh headed them into the lead after just 4 minutes. Lee Hardy hit a long free kick to the edge of the area and Paddy headed the ball over the outrushing Raith 'keeper Berthelot and into the net. Accies nearly extended their lead in great style after quarter of an hour when Colin Cramb fired the ball just wide of the post from long range.

The home goal was under siege for long spells of the first half and it was no great surprise when Accies extended their lead after 24 minutes, when David Hamilton netted from close range after being set up by Pat Keogh. The game was nearly over as a contest when Lee Hardy 's corner kick hit the back post and rebounded to safety.

The home team did have a couple of attempts on the Accies goal, but these were speculative efforts and Dave McEwan wasn't forced into making anything that could really be called a "save".

The second half was a bit more even, with the Accies goal sustaining some spirited attacks by Rovers. But they never looked like reducing Accies lead. Accies came very close on a couple of occasions. First of all, Lee Hardy cut in from the left and had a crack at goal, only to be denied by the crossbar. With Brian McPhee now on for Pat Keogh, Accies attacks looked much more purposeful and The Bee was really unlucky to see a fine close range header smothered around the post by Berthelot. The Bee would have loved to score - he had been lapping up the adoration of the Accies fans all afternoon.

So there were no more goals but there was only really ever going to be one winner. Best for Accies were the defence, with Lee Hardy proving to be a decent attacking threat as well. I was a bit disappointed in Accies display - on several occasions great opportunities to spread the ball about the park were spurned and the ball was lost. But let's not be too greedy about this, they had far more threat than Rovers and coasted through much of the second half.

So Accies have survived and it's Thistle who make the dreaded drop into the Seaside League. Accies certainly deserve it too.Their displays at home have not been too good but they have collected a very creditable number of points on their travels and that has been the foundation for this achievement.

It was interesting to see Allan Maitland console young unused substitute James McArthur when it was clear that he would not be getting a game. That kind of human touch, coupled with his obviously fine managerial reputation means that Allan will always be remembered as one of the better managers in Accies recent history. It will be a shame that Allan has to leave, but if the club is to go full time then it's hard to see any alternative.

I would also expect a fairly significant number of players to leave. However, George Fairley has made a good job of selecting new recruits so far and you have to expect that he has a few decent "irons in the fire".

Finally, congratulations are certainly due to all involved at Accies. Ronnie MacDonald and George Fairley and the Directors have taken a club that was dead on it's feet to a position of Division 1 stability in just a couple of seasons. Big changes are coming, with a new manager and full time players.

The season may be about to end, but I can't wait for the next one!

Raith Rovers: Berthelot, Ouattara, Tulloch (Fullerton 80), Jablonski, Smart, Leiper, Martin (Malcolm 86), Murtagh (O'Reilly 71), Clark, Crabbe, McMullan. Subs Not Used: Raffel, Hall.

Booked: Martin, Tulloch.

Hamilton Accies: McEwan, Paquito, Hardy, Lumsden, Hodge, Hamilton, Ferguson, Cramb (Convery 85), Keogh (McPhee 54), Mahouve (Javary 80), Corcoran. Subs Not Used: McArthur, Jellema.

Booked: Hodge.

Goals: Keogh 4, Hamilton 24.

Att: 1,474

Ref: I Fyfe

© AcciesWorld 2005

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