Bell's League Division 1

New Douglas Park, Hamilton,

15th April 2006

Report by Gilbert Mowat

This was an end of season game that could so easily have turned out to be a "banana skin". With Brechin under new management and having beaten Dundee at Dens Park in midweek, their small group of supporters in the main stand presumably expected that they would be able to give Accies a real game. As it turned out, Accies never really got out of second gear against a disappointing Brechin side. For Accies, Mark McLaughlin and Brian Wake missed the game through injury and suspension respectively, so Brian Carrigan and Scott Agnew took their places.

The very early stages of the game saw Accies playing their neat passing game without causing any real problems to Craig Nelson in the visitors goal. However, as the half wore on they began to pick holes in the defence but most of the crosses into the area just missed their target. It took Accies until the 36th minute to grab the first goal of the game and it was well worth the wait. Mark Gilhaney delivered a superb ball from the left wing and Juanjo fired a brilliant volley high past Craig Nelson.

There were to be no more goals before the break but it was notable that Brechin did not force a single save from Dave McEwan during the first half. He did field the occasional cross and pass back and once had to bend down to pick up a blocked shot, but that was about it. The second half burst into life after about 50 minutes when Brechin full back Danny Grainger was correctly red carded for a horrific late tackle on Juanjo. Quite why he did this on the half way line was a bit of a mystery.

Accies immediately took advantage of the extra man by doubling their lead. This time it was Mark Gilhaney who expertly curled the ball over Nelson from about 10 yards out. The second goal was the clincher and it was time for a few substitutions on both sides. These saw Rudy Torres, Pat Keogh and debutant Mark McAlpine come on for Accies, with the visitors making their full complement of changes as well. This included the introduction of Chris Templeman up front but even he was unable to make much of an impression on the solid Accies defence, where David Elebert and Steven Thomson had things pretty much under control. Brechin did have a spell of pressure with some nice football and they did, eventually, force David McEwan to make his one save of the afternoon, when he got down low to his left to push a shot around the post.

However, the majority of the action was at the other end of the park and only some poor finishing and bad luck prevented Accies from increasing the lead. The best effort came from a direct free kick by Juanjo that just missed the target with Nelson rooted to the spot.

So if it wasn't the best game of football ever played it ended well with two excellent goals, a fourth consecutive win and clean sheet for Accies. There were no failures in the hoops but Juanjo just about deserved his man of the match award from the match sponsors. Accies have now gone past Ross County into third place in the league and if they can maintain that position it would provide confirmation, if it was needed, that the club is progressing well.

Hamilton Accies: McEwan, Elebert, Thomson, Fleming, Ferguson (McAlpine 65), McArthur, Neil (Keogh 72), Juanjo, Agnew, Carrigan (Torres 59), Gilhaney. Subs Not Used: Galloway, Jellema.

Goals: Juanjo 36, Gilhaney 52.

Brechin City: Nelson, McEwan, White, Walker, Grainger, Byers, King (Wilson 55), Johnson, Hampshire (Gibson 72), Smith, Burns (Templeman 58). Subs Not Used: Callaghan, Hillcoat.

Sent Off: Grainger (51). Booked: White.

Att: 1,117

Ref: C Hardy

all content ©2005 - Hamilton Academical Football Club Ltd

- Read the fans' memories, or add your own, via this link.

- Please contact us if you have any information that will improve this page or if you spot any mistakes.

Images

Videos

Links and References