2007-02-24 Dundee

Accies defeated Dundee 1-0 at New Douglas Park on Saturday, thanks to a first half headed goal by centre back David Elebert. It was uncannily similar to the game between the teams at Hamilton earlier in the season, which was also decided by a back post header by the big Irishman.

Hamilton Accies 1 Dundee 0

New Douglas Park, Hamilton

Saturday, 24th February 2007

Accies climbed to joint third spot in the league with this well deserved if narrow win against Dundee. Manager Billy Reid made two changes to the team that lost at Perth, with Tom Parratt replacing the injured Marvyn Wilson at right back and on loan goalkeeper Sean Murdoch making his debut in place of Raymond Jellema. The game was delayed by 15 minutes as the Dundee team bus had been help up by roadworks and arrived at Hamilton late.

The game didn't get off to a good start and the opening 20 minutes was largely forgettable. However, that changed after 22 minutes when Accies took the lead. It was really simple; a Derek Fleming free kick into the area was left alone by the static Dundee defence and David Elebert stole in at the back post to head past Ludovic Roy from close range. This was the big Irishman's third goal of the season and it was interesting that Dundee had not learned their lesson from the first game between the sides at New Douglas Park in the autumn, when the game was won by a back post header by the same player.

The game came to life after the goal, with Accies looking likely to extend their lead before the interval. That it didn't happen was down to missed opportunities, with players picking the wrong pass when Accies were charging forward or good goalkeeping by Ludovic Roy. He made an excellent instinctive save from a close range Richard Offiong back header that would otherwise have made it 2-0. Accies played well for the bulk of the remainder of the half but genuine chances were thin on the ground. At the other end, Sean Murdoch in goal had a very assured and confident debut and it will be hard for Raymond Jellema to regain his place. Dundee did not force a save from him during the entire game, but his command of the penalty area and his general handling and kicking were excellent. The visitors did have a couple of efforts before the interval, but they were either blocked by defenders or wide of the target.

The first half had not been too exciting but Accies did their best to up the tempo after the interval. James McArthur twice came close to scoring but his long range shot was easily saved by Roy and the big keeper was later able to prevent James from getting around him. Richard Offiong had one brilliant run when he skinned the full back and fired a low cross across the front of the goal but David Winters was unable to reach it.

David Winters was in particularly good form and, with Mark Gilhaney, gave the visiting defence a torrid time. Full back Jay Shields suffered a difficult few minutes when he was firstly penalised by the referee for "stealing" yards at a throw in and then forced to concede several corner kicks. Unfortunately, few of the Accies corner kicks caused any real concern to the Dundee defence.

Although Accies had been the dominant team for most of the game, Dundee came back into the game in the final quarter and exerted some real pressure. However, their best attempts from an Alex Rae shot and a Derek Lyle header failed to hit the target. Accies didn't really look like extending their lead but were very worthy winners. Manager Billy Reid made three substitutions, with James McCarthy, Paul McLeod and Brian Wake replacing Tony Stevenson, Mark Gilhaney and Richard Offiong.

Brian Easton won the sponsor's man of the match award and it was another assured performance by the youngster. There were no real failures in a good team effort, although Richard Offiong and Mark Gilhaney were less influential than usual. Alex Neil was yellow carded and must now be nearing his suspension threshold.

Hamilton: Murdoch, Parratt, Elebert, Easton, Fleming, Stevenson (McCarthy 58), McArthur, Neil, Gilhaney (McLeod 73), Winters, Offiong (Wake 77).

Goal: Elebert 22

Booked: Elebert, Neil.

Dundee: Roy, Shields, MacKenzie, Gary Smith, Dixon, Robertson, Rae, McHale, Kevin Smith (Davidson 57), Lyle, Swankie (Hamdaoui 68). Subs Not Used: Griffin, Kevin McDonald, Reidford.

Booked: Rae

Att: 1,439

Ref: M Sproule

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