2006-11-11 Airdrie United

Accies climbed up to second place in the league when Brian Wake scored the winning goal against Airdrie United with just a couple of minutes remaining. Richard Offiong had given Accies an early lead but Bryan Prunty equalised for the visitors just before the break.

New Douglas Park

Saturday, 11th November 2006

Hamilton Accies 2 Airdrie United 1

Accies climbed back up to second place in the league with this had fought win against bottom club Airdrie United at a blustery and wet New Douglas Park. The result was undoubtedly a hard one for the visitors to take, as they certainly had their chances to win the game. However, it was the very young Accies team that grabbed a late winner and all three points.

With a variety of injuries having robbed Billy Reid of the services of Dave McEwan, Tom Parratt, Mark McLaughlin, Derek Fleming, Scott Tunbridge and Mark Gilhaney the manager turned to the under 19 squad with young James McCarthy (aged just 15) included for his first start. In addition, Gary Gow and James Gibson were on the bench for the first time. The visitors had their new striker from the Ivory Coast, Aimee KouDou, in the starting XI with former Accies striker Brian McPhee relegated to the bench.

Accies started the game brightly and David Winters came close with a shot from the edge of the area that went just over the crossbar. The opening goal was not delayed by very long and it was a fine goal too. James McCarthy showed great determination to win the ball in midfield and pass the ball out to Paul McLeod on the right wing. His cross to Richard Offiong at the near post was perfect and the Englishman volleyed into the roof of the net from 10 yards. Most Accies fans thought that this was to be the start of an onslaught on the Airdrie goal but it didn't really work out that way.

While Accies had impressed in the opening phase of the game, their play started to deteriorate and the more experienced Airdrie team started to impose themselves. However, they never really looked like scoring until the 38th minute. They were awarded a soft free kick 20 yards out when Tony Stevenson was ruled to have fouled Bryan Prunty. Steven shown was shown a yellow card but worse was to follow for Accies. The free kick was firmly struck by Kevin McDonald but should have been held by Raymond Jellema. He let it bounce from his hands and it was bundled over the line by Prunty. The scores were level at the break and it was no more than the visitors deserved.

As with the first half, most of the second period was fought out in midfield with few decent chances being created. Billy Reid made his first change after 57 minutes, with youngster James McCarthy being replaced by Brian Wake. James had done well on his debut and looks like he will go far in the game. Wake's arrival gave Accies more options going forward but an unfortunate clash of heads a few minutes later meant that another change had to be made. this time it was David Elebert who cracked heads with an Airdrie man inside the area and the young irishman had to be stretchered off, with James Gibson making his debut as a substitute.

With the Accies defence now really looking stretched and under pressure, chances started to arrive for Airdrie, with KouDou missing the target on no fewer than three occasions. The script seemed to have been written for Brian McPhee to come on and score for his team and The Bee duly came on after 70 minutes in place of KouDou happily, however, he found it very hard to make any impression on the Accies defence, who seemed to gain in confidence after KouDou departed.

The game swung to both ends, with Brian Wake causing problems for the Airdrie defence with his physical style. He sent one shot from a good position flashing just past Robertson's post and at that stage it looked like the game would end in a draw. Richard Offiong was always a danger and finally broke clear on the right wing. With at least two Accies forwards sprinting into goalscoring positions he cut the ball back into no man's land and the chance was gone.

The visitors nearly grabbed the lead when Graeme Holmes got in behind the Accies defence for once. He tried to lob the advancing Raymond Jellema, but the attempt was poor and jelly made a good save.

With time running out, Accies finally made the breakthrough with just three minutes remaining. Brian Wake made a run down the right wing and cut inside the defender. His shot from 10 yards was touched onto the bottom of the post by Robertson, but the ball broke clear and Wake lashed it home from close range. Shortly afterwards, Richard Offiong had a good chance to tie up the points but shot just over the top when he should have scored.

Airdrie United were starting to hit long balls into the box now and one cross was glanced goalwards by Brian McPhee. The entire stadium held it's breath as the ball hit the inside of the post then ran behind Jellema and across the goal before being hoofed clear. It was just the kind of luck Accies have not had recently and it was very welcome. That was the last action of any note in the game.

While it wasn't a great performance by Accies they certainly stuck to their task and kept going right to the end. It's hard to pick out any outstanding performances but Marvyn Wilson did a good shift as an emergency right back and Richard Offiong was dangerous up front. It was really gratifying to see the two leading strikers at the club get the goals. Accies are now level on points with league leaders Gretna and that's quite an achievement given the club's injury problems.

After the match, manager Billy Reid said, "The fans here are a bit hard on Brian Wake and give him stick at times but his goal ratio is fine and he always gives 100%. He was on the bench because we've been doing well with a 4-5-1 formation but he's provided us with another great contribution. We usually lose late goals and it's only the second time since I've been here that we've done it to someone else. To be sitting joint top of the league is sensational after all the problems we've had with injuries. You forget how young some of our players are."

Hamilton: Jellema, Stevenson, Elebert (Gibson 61), Easton, McArthur, McCarthy (Wake 57), Wilson, Neil, Winters, McLeod, Offiong. Subs Not Used: Agnew, Gow, McEwan.

Booked: Stevenson, Wilson.

Goals: Offiong 10, Wake 87.

Airdrie Utd: Robertson, McKenna, Smyth, Taylor, McGowan, KouDou (McPhee 70), McKeown, McDonald, Holmes, McDougall, Prunty. Subs Not Used: Christie, Tierney, Watson, Hollis.

Goals: Prunty 38.

Att: 1,724

Ref: I Brines

- 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