2007-03-31 Ross County

Accies defeated Ross County 1-0 on Saturday, courtesy of Marvyn Wilson's first ever goal for the club. James McCarthy won the sponsor's man of the match award with another fine performance but teenager Ally Crawford was an unused substitute. After the game, Accies announced that midfielder Jamie McClen had been released.

Hamilton Accies 1 Ross County 0

New Douglas Park, Hamilton

Saturday, 31st March 2007

Accies consolidated their position in 3rd place in the league with this narrow but deserved win against Ross County. With Richard Offiong, Tom Parratt and Alex Neil all missing the game through suspension, manager Billy Reid made some positional and tactical changes. This meant that he used a 4-4-2 formation, with a back four of Swailes, Elebert, Easton and Gibson; a midfield quartet of Wilson, McArthur, McCarthy and Gilhaney, plus Wake and Winters up front.

Accies got off to a great start and Brian Wake was put clear on the left by a superb pass from James McCarthy inside the first minute. It was too good to be true however, and Brian was unable to find the target with his low shot. Mark Gilhaney was next to cut through a flat footed visiting defence to receive a James McCarthy pass and he was left with just goalkeeper Matteo Tomie to beat. The Italian 'keeper made a good save from point blank range and defender James Gibson smacked the bouncing ball against the bar from 10 yards out.

It seemed that the visitor's goal was going to survive, when Accies took the lead after 10 minutes from the most unexpected source. This time it was Marvyn Wilson who was put though by James McArthur. Wee Marvyn ran through the County defence before beating the goalkeeper from close range. It was Marvyn's first goal since joining Accies two summers ago and he was mobbed by all of his outfield teammates.

Accies did their best to extend their lead before the break, with probably the best opportunity being a shot from Brian Wake from the edge of the area that Matteo held at the second attempt. County were not seen much as an attacking force, with their efforts being mopped up by the generally excellent Accies defence. Their best chance came when a close range header was sent just over the bar with Murdoch beaten. One feature of the half was the number of offside decisions given, particularly against David Winters who was eager to put one over his former club.

As the second half developed, the visitors saw plenty of possession but were unable to get the goal they needed. Brian Wake did well to break free on the left but then he overran the ball and it went out of play. His replacement by Paul McLeod after 63 minutes gave Accies perhaps a little more pace but Accies ran out of luck in the forward areas, with crosses being mis-controlled at the vital moment and things just not going their way.

County boss Scott Leitch committed all three of his substitutes as they tried to carve out a decent opening but their best effort was a Don Cowie shot near the end that scraped the post. David Winters had a decent chance to seal the game after breaking clear on goal but a last minute tackle by Marc McCulloch saved the day for County. Accies had a couple of other opportunities near the end but firstly Paul McLeod saw his low shot roll past the far post and then James McCarthy mis-controlled a great cross and the ball trundled harmlessly through to Tomei. Marc McJimpsey came on for the last ten minutes in place of James McArthur but he was unable to make an impression on the game.

County spent the last couple of minutes of the game pounding the Accies goal but just didn't get any breaks. They had plenty of perspiration but lacked any real inspiration. Billy Reid was keen to give teenager Alister Crawford a taste of the action but decided that his introduction would not have been a good idea given the slender lead his team enjoyed.

So if it wasn't the best game ever seen at New Douglas Park it was still a very welcome victory against a struggling County.

Hamilton: Murdoch, Swailes, Elebert, Easton, Gibson, Wilson, McArthur (McJimpsey 80), McCarthy, Gilhaney, Winters, Wake (McLeod 63). Subs Not Used: Stevenson, Crawford, Jellema.

Goals: Wilson 10.

Ross County: Tomie, McCulloch, Dowie, Keddie, Moore, Scott, Adams, Cowie, Robertson (Gardyne 56), Shields (O'Carroll 46), Higgins (Gunn 67). Subs Not Used: Webb, Samson.

Booked: Gardyne, Scott.

Att: 1,035

Ref: J McKendrick

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