Report by Gilbert Mowat
Accies moved smoothly into second place in the league with this easy win against a disappointing Brechin outfit. It was interesting to note the change in the fortunes of the two clubs since the initial match on the first day of the season. Brechin have still to record their first league win, while Accies have gone on a great run and have also reached the final of the Challenge Cup. The gulf in class between the two sides was apparent from the very start of the match, with the visitors unable to get much farther than the half way line at times.
The only real surprise was that it took Accies so long to grab the first goal of the game, such was their dominance. The goal came from an inspired run by Alex Neil through the heart of the midfield, when he beat two or three Brechin men as he raced towards the area. He was tripped about 22 yards out and Derek Fleming curled in a beautiful left foot shot to open both the scoring in this game and his Accies account. There was a slight delay in restarting the match as one of the Brechin players thumped the ball over the perimeter wall and would have been yellow carded if the offence had been seen by the referee. The ref spoke to his assistant and also Brechin goalie Craig Nelson about it, but took no action.
To be perfectly honest, the remainder of the half wasn't the best period of football you will ever see. Accies had about 90% of the play but lacked that wee bit of inspiration that could have brought another goal. The visitors had one great chance to get back into the game but it was headed inexplicably wide from an excellent position.
The game was effectively ended as a contest within a minute of the restart when Accies doubled their lead. This time it was the irrepressible Scott Tunbridge who broke clear on the right wing. Left with only Craig Nelson to beat, he unselfishly squared the ball to Alex Neil and the wee guy had an easy job of tapping he ball into the net. Neil was subbed almost immediately, with Mark Gilhaney taking his place. Presumably this was a sign from Billy Reid that he considered that the hard work had been done and that he wanted to ensure that his most influential player was available for the St Johnstone game in midweek.
With Neil leaving the park, it was a great opportunity for Gilhaney to show what could do. He did NOT disappoint! Young Mark was at the centre of most of the good things that happened from then on, with subtle dummies and wee flicks that bamboozled the Brechin defence at times. He operated mainly down the left wing and forged a good rapport with Derek Fleming as Accies continued to run the show. Apart from that, it really turned into a personal contest between Scott Tunbridge and Craig Nelson.
First of all, Scott's netbound header from an excellent Gilhaney cross was superbly denied by Nelson. Then, after 62 minutes, a powerful Tunbridge shot was fumbled by Nelson, allowing substitute Pat Keogh to collect the rebound and dribble around him to make it 3-0. Paddy had replaced Graeme Jones a few minutes earlier. Jones had done well and showed that he still has plenty of skill.
Apart from that, Tunbridge brought at least two great saves out of Nelson and had another low shot that just scraped past he post with the goalkeeper beaten. It would not have been an unfair result if Accies had scored another couple and Tunbridge certainly deserved to get his name on the scoresheet. The visitors did have a couple of sporadic attacks near the end and probably should have scored, with Gerry Britton blazing the ball high over the crossbar from close range following an uncharacteristic lapse by Dave McEwan.
However, a Brechin goal would have cast an unfair reflection on the play and Accies should have increased the margin of victory, such was their dominance. Best for Accies were Derek Fleming (who received the match sponsor's bottle of bubbly), Stuart Balmer, Marvyn Wilson, Scott Tunbridge and Mark Gilhaney.
The good news is that there appeared to be no fresh injuries sustained and Accies can head to the midweek match at Perth with plenty of confidence.
Derek Fleming receives a bottle of champagne from Louise Curley, Ranjit Bhatti and Accies diehard George Grandison from match sponsors The Loan Clinic.
Hamilton: McEwan, Robertson, Thomson, Balmer, Fleming, Ferguson (Hodge 63), Neil (Gilhaney 49), Wilson, MacKenzie, Tunbridge, Jones (Keogh 58). Subs Not Used: Carrigan, Jellema.
Goals: Fleming 14, Neil 46, Keogh 62.
Brechin: Nelson, Hamilton (Smith 58), Ferguson (Callaghan 69), White, Bollan, Byers, Johnson, Walker, Hampshire, Ritchie (Winter 58), Britton. Subs Not Used: King, Hillcoat.
Att: 1,402
Ref: K Toner
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