Bell's Scottish League Division 1

Palmerston Park, Dumfries,

14th January 2006

Report by NDP Kid on the Block

For the second successive Saturday Accies returned from Dumfries with a 1-1 draw, this time bringing back a solitary league point, compared to last week's draw which brought a home replay against Queen's this Tuesday.

There were a few changes from last week with Jones and Carrigan missing from our line up - both were subbed last Saturday remember - with Tunbridge and McLeod added to the squad, while Thomson started at the expense of Fleming, with Ferguson also regaining his starting place. Queen's included their midweek signings, although their three wont be able to play in Tuesday's game, while they missed Gibson and Wood from last week.

We were shooting towards the covered enclosure and began well enough with a goal from our first attack and yet again it was that man Paul McLeod with a goal against the Dumfries side, who must be fed up with him. In the 2nd minute Alex Neil released Paul McLeod on a run through the middle and the teenager slotted the ball past Barnard from 14 yards for his 4th first team goal, all at the expense of QotS!McEwan then had to look lively, holding a low shot from Weir. Spanish striker Rudy Torres, who looked out of sorts over the piece, got the bounce and break of the ball in his own half in the 14th minute and his opportunist long range lob went past Barnard's post. Given that the sun was in the Queen's keeper's eyes, it was worth the effort.

From the goal kick the ball sailed straight out the park and from the resulting throw McLeod glanced a header just past. From that goal kick the ball sailed straight out the park again, on the other side this time.

Queen's began to come more into the game, Lyle and Lovell combining well on a few occasions and Weir looking more threatening. We had another chance when Paul McLeod beat the offside trap and broke down the left flank but his cross in was headed clear. McEwan then spilled a free kick but followed that up with a terrific save a minute later from Graham Weir form very close range. The home side's pressure continued and paid off with the ball breaking to Burns who managed to set up Stuart Lovell inside a congested penalty box and he fired a cracker into the roof of the net from 6 yards to level the scores.

The Queen's purple patch continued with Burns firing over, then a Lyle header setting up English who saw his shot deflected. We made a double substitution at half time, with Neil and McLeod being replaced by McMullan and Tunbridge. Three minutes into the second half we committed our final sub with Gilhaney replacing Torres. Shaun Dillon was booked for an elbow on Brown Ferguson. Both sides continued to test each other in the early stages, with Balmer defending well for Accies, Neil's presence was being missed though that was made up in part by the tireless running and work rate of Tunbridge. Burns and Lyle threatened with various moves for the home side after Tunbridge had pressured Barnard at the other end. Balmer then did well with a timely intervention to deny Weir while Tunbridge threw himself full on to a pacy Gilhaney cross. We followed that up midway through the half with a good Gilhaney inspired move down the left who set up McArthur who then moved the ball forward to Tunbridge but he drove his shot into the side netting.

We then had a great shout for a penalty in the 69th minute with Thomson and Reid climbing all over McLaughlin who was clearly held with a Queen's defender's arms round him, hauling him to the ground. Referee Chris Boyle didn't see anything, the assistant appeared better placed but he didn't flag.

Tunbridge then tried to give Balmer a chance but Lovell cleared before Davy McEwan held well from a Michael Mullen shot. We had an old fashioned stramash in the box with Gilhaney, Tunbridge, Ferguson and dear knows who else all swinging boots at the ball, but it rebounded back out the box to McMullan whose shot went just over. John Robertson then drove a free kick past the post. Ferguson and McArthur then threatened next but Barnard gathered the ball. Tunbridge was booked for a foul in the final minute.

Over the piece a draw looked fair. Accies began strongly but let Queen's back into it. We probably played better football in the second half, but both sides seemed to cancel each other out. As with last week we had to make early subs, although the pace of both Gilhaney and Tunbridge certainly added to the second half threats. Mcleod took his goal well, Torres looked out of sorts, Neil was doing fine before he went off at half time, neither of them appeared trouble din the first half though. Balmer and McLaughlin performed well at the back, with Thomson sweeping up well. McArthur was industrious, although caught on the ball a couple of times while MacKenzie grafted away. In the title chase it was 2 points dropped, but a point apiece was fair on the day.

Queen of the South: Barnard, Paton, Reid (O'Neil 71), Thomson, English, Dillon, Lovell, Burns, McStay (Robertson 78), Lyle, Weir (Mullen 66).

Subs Not Used: Scott, Carr.

Booked: Dillon, Burns.

Goal: Lovell 37.

Hamilton: McEwan, Robertson, Balmer, McLaughlin, McArthur, Thomson, Neil (McMullan 46), Ferguson, Torres (Gilhaney 49), MacKenzie, McLeod (Tunbridge 46).

Subs Not Used: Fleming, Jellema.

Booked: Tunbridge.

Goal: McLeod 2.

Att: 1,813

Ref: C Boyle

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