Accies 2 Livingston 4: Tennent's Scottish Cup: Saturday, 6th January 2007

Accies were knocked out of the Tennent's Scottish Cup on Saturday, when they went down 4-2 to Livingston at New Douglas Park. James McArthur scored his first goal at New Douglas Park, while 16 year old James McCarthy scored his first senior goal. However, by that time the game had slipped away from the young Accies team.

At just 16 years and 55 days old, James becomes the youngest player ever to score in Accies 132 year history. He takes the record from Colin Cramb, who was 16 years and 8 months old when he scored his first Accies goal.

Hamilton Accies 2 Livingston 4

New Douglas Park

Saturday, 6th January 2007

Accies were knocked out of the Tennent's Scottish Cup when they went down to Livingston at New Douglas Park. With injuries reaching ridiculous levels, Billy Reid was unable to play any of his first choice defenders. Marvyn Wilson was drafted in as cover at right back, while Raymond Jellema came in for the injured David McEwan in goals. Further forward, Paul McLeod made a return to the starting XI, with Mark Gilhaney dropping to the bench. Richard Offiong was not yet able to return from injury.

Accies played reasonably well in the opening stages of the game, although goalscoring opportunities were very thin on the ground. James McCarthy had a shot that went over the bar while paul McLeod's effort from 20 yards was easily held by Craig Wight in the Livingston goal. Livi weren't faring any better, but they took the lead after 30 minutes with a goal that was a disaster from a defensive point of view. Accies had possession, but Tony Stevenson was dispossessed and left his goalkeeper Raymond Jellema exposed. The ball was passed to Graham Dorrans and he sidestepped Brian Easton before shooting low into the corner.

It was a sore one for the Accies defence to take, but unfortunately more defensive mistakes were to follow later in the game. Accies tried to claim an equaliser before the break, but the best effort was a Brian Wake shot that went into the side-netting. Alex Neil was yellow carded early on for a late tackle and had to be careful for the remainder of the game.

Billy Reid made a major change at half time, with captain Marvyn Wilson remaining in the changing room and Mark Gilhaney taking his place. This meant a tactical switch, with james Gibson moving the right side of a three man defence alongside Stevenson and Easton. The introduction of Gilhaney really galvanised Accies into action and they had their best spell of the game for the next 20 minutes. It was great to see Mark back on the left wing and he showed that his recent injury has not affected his skills. He beat the right back, Dave Mackay on several occasions and got some good crosses into the area.

With Accies in the ascendancy, it was no surprise that they got the goal they deserved after 54 minutes. Some good play by Accies and uncertain defending by Livingston gave James McArthur a chance and he drove low into the corner from about 10 yards out. James celebrated in style as this was his first goal at New Douglas Park. Accies were really buzzing now and, with Alex Neil and James McCarthy dictating play in the middle of the park, they really took the game to the visitors.

However, all the good work was undone when the referee awarded Livingston a free kick midway inside the Accies half. It was such a soft award that the Accies players initially took the free kick, thinking the award had been in their favour. Referee McDonald quickly pointed out that it was a Livingston free kick and, when the ball was delivered into the area, it was headed into the net off the inside of the post by Steven Tweed.

That was a bitter blow for Accies and a few minutes later Billy Reid decided to make a double substitution in a bid to save the game. He replaced Brian Wake and david Winters with youngsters Mark McJimspey and Nathan Taylor, making his Accies debut. As it turned out, neither was able to make an impact on the game. Just a couple of minutes later, another defensive mistake presented the visitors with their third goal.

This time it was teenager Brian Easton, who has been in fantastic form since he broke into the team in August, who made a very rare error. Brian tried to head a cross out of the area, but instead the ball went straight to Joe Hamill just outside the penalty box. Hamill made a very good job of his volley and gave Raymond Jellema no chance. Easton was clearly distraught at his mistake as the Livingston players celebrated. This goal was the cue for hundreds of Accies supporters to leave the stadium.

If anything, Accies came into the match a bit more after this but they were to be undone by yet another defensive howler after 81 minutes. This time it was James Gibson whose pass to Tony Stevenson was intercepted by Graham Dorrans. The Livi man did a great job of beating Stevenson, then rounding Jellema to score. The game was effectively over as a contest now but there was to be one more "highlight" after 86 minutes.

It came when young James McCarthy made Accies history by becoming the youngest player ever to score for the club in a competitive match when he cracked a loose ball past Wight from just outside the area. At just 16 years and 55 days, he beat former record holder Colin Cramb by around 8 months. It was a nice moment for James but not of much consolation given the score in the game. Accies had another couple of fruitless attacks before the end, with the ball just eluding Nathan Taylor inside the area.

However, the damage had been done by the mistakes that had been made earlier. Livingston celebrated at the final whistle but for Accies there was just disappointment that there's to be no cup run this year.

Hamilton Accies: Jellema, Wilson (Gilhaney 46), Stevenson, Easton, Gibson, McCarthy, McArthur, Neil, Winters (McJimpsey 70), McLeod, Wake (Taylor 70). Subs Not Used: Sharp, White.

Booked: Neil, Gilhaney. Goals: McArthur 54, McCarthy 86.

Livingston: Wight, MacKay, McPake, Tweed, Miller, Walker, Smylie, Mitchell, Hamill, Craig (Shields 58), Dorrans (Snodgrass 82). Subs Not Used: Griffiths, Torrance, Monteith.

Booked: Walker. Goals: Dorrans 30, Tweed 65, Hamill 73, Dorrans 81.

Att: 1,228

Ref: D McDonald

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