Bell's League Division 1

New Douglas Park, Hamilton,

17th December 2005

Report by Gilbert Mowat

Accies moved back up to second place in the table with this richly deserved win against a Ross County side that looked poor value for their lofty league position before the game. With Paul McMullan suspended and Paul McLeod out with an injured knee, Billy Reid brought back Brian Carrigan and Derek Fleming. Up front, Graeme Jones was preferred to Pat Keogh, who was on the bench alongside Brown Ferguson, Scott Tunbridge, James McArthur and Raymond Jellema.

Accies quickly got into their rhythm, playing a patient short passing game and generally taking control of the match from the beginning. Many of the moves ended with Mark Gilhaney unable to get past the visitor's left back Lional Djebi-Zadi, although he did bamboozle the defence with a superb bit of skill that unfortunately ended when he missed his shot from close range. Although Accies had the bulk of the possession, good chances were few and far between. Marvyn Wilson and Brian Carrigan both had decent shots that went over the bar in the opening stages and Mark McLaughlin had an attempt with a volley that nearly hit the corner flag.

Accies got the goal they deserved after 28 minutes. A free kick from the left was not cleared properly by Jim Lauchlan and the ball was retrieved by Brian Carrigan on the left. He quickly lofted the ball into the middle where Steven Thomson headed low past McCaldon to give Accies the lead. Accies created another chance 5 minutes later when Graeme Jones was put through the middle, but the ball ran away from him and the opportunity was lost. The visitors did manage a couple of long range shots before the break, but nothing to cause any problems for Dave McEwan in the Accies goal.

The visitors nearly got an equaliser just after the break with a low cross that was missed by everyone in the middle. However, Accies continued to dominate the game and they scored an excellent second goal after 52 minutes. This time it was Mark McLaughlin, who controlled a superb pass from Marvyn Wilson before supplying a striker's finish from 10 yards to blast the ball home. It was the big man's first goal of the season and he really celebrated in style.

With Accies now a couple of goals up, the visitors began to come out of their shell a bit more and they had a decent shot 5 minutes later that flew over the crossbar. This was followed by another good cross that was missed by everyone in the middle and a snap shot from Djebi-Zadi from a tight angle that went into the side-net. Accies boss Billy Reid then made his first change, with Graeme Jones being replaced by Scott Tunbridge. Jones left the pitch to well deserved generous applause from the home support.

Accies should have finished the game as a contest after 72 minutes, when Steven Thomson thumped the ball into the side net from close range. A double for the former captain would have been remarkable, but as a former striker he will probably feel that he should have scored. Accies were made to pay for this just 6 minutes later. Moments after Pat Keogh had come on in place of the impressive Brian Carrigan (who received another great ovation from the fans), County scored. The goal came from a throw in on the far side that probably should have been prevented. The ball was flicked into the middle and converted very well by Sean Higgins, who also scored for County at NDP last season.

The goal set up a nervous last ten minutes for Accies, with County having the bulk of the play. However, they were low on inspiration and didn't create any real chances. Referee Ian Brines added on a couple of minutes but there were to be no further goals and the points were in the bag.

This was an impressive display by Accies. They played really well as a team and there were no failures. It was interesting that the goals should be scored by Thomson and McLaughlin, but it was great to see them chipping in to win this game for Accies. It will give both of them a huge boost. Let's hope that this improvement in form can be carried through the tricky holiday period.

Hamilton: McEwan, Robertson, Thomson, McLaughlin, Fleming, Gilhaney, Wilson, Neil, MacKenzie, Jones (Tunbridge 63), Carrigan (Keogh 78). Subs Not Used: Ferguson, McArthur, Jellema.

Goals: Thomson 28, McLaughlin 52.

Ross County: McCaldon, Cowan, Lauchlan, Webb, Djebl Zadi, Rankin, McCulloch, Taylor, Cowie, Nuclowski (Higgins 57), Burke (Winters 78). Subs Not Used: Tiernan, McKinlay, Garden.

Goal: Higgins 79.

Att: 1,250

Ref: I Brines

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