Bell's League Division 1

New Douglas Park, Hamilton,

8th April 2006

Report by Gilbert Mowat

Accies recorded their third win in succession when they defeated Clyde in this entertaining game at New Douglas Park. Manager Billy Reid made just one change to the team that won at Paisley 7 days earlier, with Derek Fleming restored after a long injury absence. Craig Galloway dropped to the bench, where he was joined by Rudy Torres, Pat Keogh, Scott Agnew and Raymond Jellema.

Accies got off to a cracking start and opened the scoring within the first minute. Derek Fleming made an excllent overlapping run down the left wing and sent a good ball into the area. Brian Wake did well to control the ball before hitting it low past Cherrie in the Clyde goal. It was a fine finish and the big striker carried on from his goal in the final minute of the game at Love St.

The visitors quickly tried to get back into the game and a low shot by Masterton flew a couple of feet past Dave McEwan's post. They then proceeded to miss a great opportunity. A free kick from the left was swung over to the back post where it was headed back across the goal. It came to Tom Brighton and it seemed that the highly rated striker could not miss from just a couple of feet out. Happily for Accies, that's exactly what he did.

That was to prove to be the best opportunity created by Clyde in the whole game and it was only in the dying stages of the game before they forced Dave McEwan into making a real save. Accies came agonisingly close to doubling their lead with a move that was similar to the one that brought the opening goal. Juanjo played a cheeky back heel to Derek Fleming on the left wing and this time his cross was volleyed against the crossbar by Brian Wake, with Steven Thomson only able to thump the rebound high over the crossbar from a good position. Wake had another decent effort before the break but this time his volley went past the post.

Accies probably just about deserved to be ahead at the interval. Although Clyde had enjoyed a fair share of possession, they had created little to cause alarm in the Accies defence.

The result of the game was to hinge on an incident just 7 minutes after the break. Brian Wake had been the victim of a robust aerial challenge from a Clyde player and retaliated by elbowing Stephen O'Donnell off the ball. The incident was missed by many of the fans but not by referee John Underhill, who showed no hesitation in sending the player off. The player had done well up to that point but his actions at that point were impossible to defend.

The loss of Wake forced Billy Reid to make a tactical change, with Rudy Torres replacing fellow Spaniard Juanjo up front. It also forced Accies into playing a more defensive formation and at times they were pinned back by the visitors. Consequently, Accies attacks became a bit of a rarity, but there still flashes of great skill by players like Torres and Mark Gilhaney. Clyde never really looked likely to score, such was the dominant display by the Accies defence and midfield. As mentioned above, Dave McEwan did have to make one diving save in the second half but other than that his goal wasn't threatened.

As the second half wore on it became obvious to all that there was one player who stood head and shoulders above the rest. James McArthur had his finest display in an Accies shirt. He was everywhere, tackled anything that moved, found good positions and passed the ball intelligently. The match sponsors agreed and he was the richly deserved recipient of the man of the match award.

With the game drawing to a close and Clyde pushing everyone forward, a fruitless Clyde attack ended with the ball in Dave McEwan's hands. He thumped it up the park where it was headed wide for Mark Gilhaney on the wing. The former Clyde man cut inside along the edge of the area and lashed the ball high past Peter Cherrie with his left foot. It was a superb goal that was worthy of winning any game. Mark has played very well in recent weeks and it was great for him to add to his goals tally.

It was a good, solid display by Accies that augurs well for next season. Accies lie just a point behind third placed Ross County and will be hopeful of passing them into third place in the league. Relegated Brechin visit next week and Billy Reid will be determined to make it four wins in a row. On this kind of form that looks quite likely.

Hamilton: McEwan, Elebert, Thomson, McLaughlin, Fleming, Ferguson, McArthur (Galloway 88), Neil, Juanjo (Torres 55), Gilhaney, Wake.

Subs Not Used: Keogh, Agnew, Jellema.

Sent Off: Wake (52).

Goals: Wake 1, Gilhaney 90.

Clyde: Cherrie, Bouadji (Harris 22), McHale (McDonald 81), McKeown, Malone, Bryson, Masterton (Imrie 66), O'Donnell, Michael McGowan, Williams, Brighton.

Subs Not Used: Higgins, Jarvie.

Booked : Williams.

Att: 1,360

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