Accies 2 Dundee 0: Bell's Challenge Cup: 13 September 2005

Bell's Challenge Cup

Quarter Final, New Douglas Park, Hamilton, 13 September 2005

Hamilton Accies 2

Carrigan 31

Keogh 54

Dundee 0

Report by Gilbert Mowat

Accies strolled through to the semi finals of the Challenge Cup with a victory over Dundee that was much more convincing than the scoreline would suggest. They won the game with two superb goals, but it was the brilliant performance by midfielder Alex Neil that was the key factor in the result. The wee guy was everywhere and bamboozled the Dundee midfield on several occasions with his ball control.

Billy Reid made a few changes to the team that had won at Stranraer at the weekend. Brown Ferguson, Steven Thomson and Mark McLaughlin all returned to the defence and Pat Keogh replaced Graeme Jones up front. Accies got off to a good start and their slick passing play was a joy to watch. The Dundee defence were really stretched for long spells and were lucky not to go behind following a moment of genius from Alex Neil. He received the ball from a throw in just inside the area, but was quickly surrounded by three Dundee players. Somehow, he managed to get away from them and tried to curl the ball in at the far post. His show was good but it went narrowly past, luckily for the flat footed Dundee 'keeper Kelvin Jack.

Accies were "all over" Dundee and they took the lead after 31 minutes thanks to a sublime bit of individual skill by Brian Carrigan. Carrots got the ball out on the touchline and easily skinned Dundee defender Tom Hutchison. He ran in towards the left side of the area where he cut inside and unleashed a beautiful shot that curled high past Jack and went in off the far post. It was a Goal of the Season contender without a doubt.

Accies remained in control for the remainder of the half, although Dundee did get some possession. However, all of their attacks were easily mopped up by the Accies defence, with Steven Thomson and Mark McLaughlin in charge of things at the back. Remarkably, there was never a time during the game when it looked like Dundee might score.

Accies killed the game off as a contest after 54 minutes with another nicely taken goal. Some good passing down the right ended with Scott MacKenzie firing a good low cross into the danger area and it was Pat Keogh who flicked the ball nonchalantly past Jack. Paddy didn't last much longer before being replaced by Sandy Hodge and left the field to generous applause. Sandy slotted into the left back position, with Derek Fleming moving up into midfield. Accies did take their foot off the gas for a spell after this but Dundee were unable to penetrate the defence. Dave McEwan did field a couple of long range efforts but they didn't really qualify as "saves".

Scott Tunbridge came close to extending the lead after another great through ball but Jack was able to take enough pace off the ball to allow one of his defenders to boot it clear. Near the end, Billy Reid introduced Adrian Gonzalez and Lee Hardy and it was the diminutive Spaniard who nearly grabbed a third goal, when his low shot was touched onto the post by Jack. More brilliance on the wing by Neil gave him a chance from the cutback but he ballooned it into the night sky.

That was that. Dundee never presented Accies with any significant trouble and the first goal was decisive. If Accies can take this level of performance into the tough league match against Airdrie United then the fans will be in for a treat.

Top for Accies were Brian Carrigan, Marvyn Wilson and especially Alex Neil. He won the sponsor's bottle of whisky (awarded by their representative Scott Struthers) and it was richly deserved. This was easily one of Accies' best performances in recent seasons and it really augurs well for the forthcoming games.

Hamilton: McEwan, Fleming, Thomson, McLaughlin, MacKenzie, Ferguson, Neil, Wilson, Carrigan (Hardy 80), Keogh (Hodge 61), Tunbridge (Gonzalez 80). Subs Not Used: Robertson, Jellema.

Goals: Carrigan 31, Keogh 54.

Dundee: Jack, Hutchinson (Ela Eyene 59), Mann, Madaschi, Dixon, Smith (Kevin McDonald 46), Robertson, Brady, Anderson, Lynch, McManus (Ferguson 69). Subs Not Used: Kitamirike, Murray.

Att: 609

Ref: M McCurry

- 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