Accies finally got their first win of the season with a 1-0 defeat of Dundee at New Douglas Park on Saturday. the only goal of the game was a fine 52nd minute back post header by David Elebert from a pinpoint cross by man of the match Mark Gihaney (left). The good news was that Mark McLaughlin got an hour under his belt and Marvyn Wilson lasted the full 90 minutes.
Hamilton Accies 1 Dundee 0
Accies went into this game after consecutive defeats by Gretna and Queens Park, so it was vitally important that they avoided defeat. Manager Billy Reid had to make some changes to the side and was pleased to be able to have three of his key men, Marvyn Wilson, Alex Neil and Mark McLaughlin in the starting lineup together for the first time. He also handed a starting spot to young Tom Parratt, who joined the club on a short term contract during the week. However, the bad news was that striker Richard Offiong was suspended after his midweek indiscretion at Hampden. The Dundee team was very different to the side that had faced Accies last term, with new player manager Alex Rae in the heart of the play in midfield. This was a very young Dundee side as many of the high earners have left the club as a cost cutting exercise. In addition, some of Dundee's more experienced players, like Bobby Mann and Andy McLaren, were unavailable for this game.
Accies started the game fairly well and Mark Gilhaney repeated his fine form from midweek. He tormented the Dundee defence and his crosses caused the Dundee defence to get into a bit of a panic at times. However, they were able to block them before they reached their targets. Accies came close to scoring a few times before the break, with Spanish striker Payo very unlucky not to open his Accies account. He got his foot to a ball that was flashing across the face of the goal but was only able to put it just over the bar from very close range. Mark Gilhaney brought many of the Accies fans to their feet in premature celebration of a goal but his shot went narrowly past the post.
Dundee came into the game for a spell in the first half and Kevin McDonald had a low shot that went wide of the target. However, the blonde pairing of Mark McLaughlin and David Elebert were in good form at the back and they protected David McEwan in goal pretty well. Tom Parratt had a good first half at right back, although he took a blow in the back that required treatment.
If there was a wee bit of anxiety that the scores were still level at the break, Accies wasted little time in taking the lead in the second half. More dazzling footwork by Mark Gilhaney on the left gave him a chance to send in a left footed cross to the back post, where David Elebert rose highest to thump a superb header into the roof of the net. It was the young Irishman's second goal for the club and his first at New Douglas Park.
Accies made their first change a few minutes later, with Steven Thomson coming on for Mark McLaughlin. Big Mark had performed well for this first game of the season and it was good for him to get an hour of action under his belt. Accies did their best to extend their lead but it didn't quite happen. Javier Payo probably had the best chance when he ran through onto a bouncing ball, but the Dundee goalkeeper just beat him to it outside the area and was able to clear. Paul McLeod had a good chance to deliver a cross towards Payo but elected to cut the ball back to Gilhaney instead and the chance was lost. Billy Reid looked decidedly unimpressed at this.
Dundee had their chances as the game wore on, with Alex Rae hammering a brilliant volley against the post from long range. Accies were defending quite deep towards the end of the game, which presented them with more shooting chances, but happily they were unable to take advantage. They nearly grabbed a point right at the end but McEwan made a good save low down at the post to ensure the win bonus for him and his teammates. More importantly, it also ensured all three points for Accies.
Mark Gilhaney was named as the sponsor's man of the match and it was richly deserved. The 21 year old winger had the Dundee defence in knots all afternoon. Marvyn Wilson and Alex Neil showed that they have not lost their talents either and when both are fully fit the Accies midfield should be very strong. Without being brilliant, it was a good steady team performance and just what was needed after the disappointments of the previous week.
After the game, Accies goalscorer David Elebert said, " We created a few chances in the first half and it was just a matter of time before we got the goal. After the last couple of games our spirits have been a bit low so we just had to grind out that performance and get the three points today. It's great to be a goalscoring centre half but getting the three points is the most important thing."
Manager Billy Reid said, " Obviously I'm happy that we won the game but there's more to come from us. People said we were in a crisis but I didn't agree with that and thought that when we got our players back we would be fine. I think Alex Neil and Marvyn Wilson needed another 90 minutes under their belts. They tired towards the end but did a smashing job in the middle of the park and Mark McLaughlin, who hasn't trained much, managed to get through 60 minutes. You can see what a big player he is for me at this club as well.
I think we merited the win. We were hanging on a bit towards the end but I wasn't too concerned to be honest with you. Alex Rae had a smashing shot that hit the post but apart from that we deserved to win the game. We've just signed Brian Wake today on a 2 year deal and we're looking to bring in one or two others before next Saturday as well.
The young kids did well today, young Brian Easton is only 17 and he did well. The future of this club is in bringing through kids like that and to be fair to Dundee they had some young lads in their team and all credit to them. But in the next couple of weeks we'll get stronger and stronger and hopefully we can go on to have a successful season."
On Tom Parratt's full debut, the manager said, " Tom has signed for us for a month. That was his first full game in about three months and he had a bit of cramp towards the end. \Tom battled away manfully at right full back and he has a great attitude and we'll see how things go over the next couple of weeks."
Hamilton: McEwan, Parratt (Stevenson 87), Elebert, McLaughlin (Thomson 56), Fleming, McArthur, Wilson, Neil, Gilhaney, Payo (Easton 70), McLeod. Subs Not Used: Agnew, Jellema.
Booked: McArthur.
Goals: Elebert 52.
Dundee: A Trialist, Calum McDonald, MacKenzie, Strong, Dixon, Robertson (Harris 84), Rae, Kevin McDonald, Deasley, Swankie (B Trialist 63), Campbell (Gates 72).
Subs Not Used: Hay, Murray.
Att: 1,517
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