Livingston 1 Accies 2: Saturday, 27th January 2007

Accies made a remarkable comeback on Saturday when they defeated Livingston 2-1 at Almondvale. With the home side leading in the last minute, Accies snatched all three points courtesy of goals by David Winters and David Elebert. Accies now climb to third spot in the league.

Livingston 1 Hamilton Accies 2

Almondvale

Saturday, 27th January 2007

Accies climbed up to 3rd place in the league with a sensational win at Almondvale. Manager Billy Reid made just one change, with david Elebert returning from injury and suspension and Tony Stevenson dropping to the bench. This meant that Alex Neil was able to resume his regular role in the heart of the midfield alongside James McCarthy, who had made his debut for the Republic of Ireland's under 17 side in midweek. Livi introduced two new signings in Jamie Mole from Hearts and Stuart Golabek from Inverness.

After an initial period when Accies hardly got a sniff of the ball, they settled into the game quite well with both Mark Gilhaney and James McArthur bringing decent saves out of Colin Stewart with long range shots. McArthur's effort in particular had some Accies fans rising out of their seats but Stewart did will to tip the ball around the post. The home side had their chances too and Neil Teggart had an overhead kick that missed the target. Livingston took the lead after 26 minutes when Steven Tweed headed down a Lee Makel corner for Teggart to sweep past Jellema from 10 yards. It was a well taken goal although it was slightly against the run of play at the time.

One feature of the half was the number of offside decisions that were given against Accies in general and Richard Offiong in particular. The home defence were playing quite far up the park and Offiong was just unable to get the better of them. The linesman must have had arms like Popeye by the interval, he was getting so much exercise. Just before the break, Raymond Jellema made an outstanding save to tip a netbound shot from Scott Mitchell over the top.

"Jelly" was to have a huge influence on the game in the spell just after the half time break. Accies were pinned back into their own area for the opening 15 minutes of the second half and the home side had several great chances to extend their lead. the best of these fell to on loan Hearts man Mole, who neatly side stepped an Accies defender before seeing his low shot well blocked by Jellema. This writer rather optimistically commented at the time that it could be a match turning moment and although it was, there was a much more significant moment to come soon afterwards.

With Accies on the ropes, manager Billy Reid made a bold move by committing all three of his substitutes within a few minutes. James McCarthy had struggled to get into the game and was replaced by Tony Stevenson after 51 minutes. (After the game, Billy Reid said that asking a 16 year old to play three games in 8 days was asking quite a lot and he thought McCarthy was exhausted.) Next to go off was Mark Gilhaney, who had been struggling during the week because of a bout of flu. Brian Wake took his place. The final chance was the replacement of Paul McLeod by David Winters. These changes gave Accies a much more attacking attitude and at times they played with a three man attack of Offiong, Wake and Winters.

The game had been keenly contested but with no real menace involved. Neil Teggart had been yellow carded for a challenge on Brian Easton in the first half and Marvyn Wilson received the same punishment for a tackle on Lee Makel. The whole game was to turn on events in the 71st minute, when Lee Makel received two yellow cards within the space of a minute. First of all, he was punished for a fairly innocuous shirt pull in the centre circle and then had a minor altercation with Alex Neil. I understand that Makel stood on Neil's foot and Neil grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. It was all spotted by the referee, who showed both players a yellow card and an additional scarlet one to the Livingston captain.

Accies now enjoyed numerical superiority but still struggled to create any chances worthy of the name. It was now their turn to keep their opponents pinned back for the bulk of the remainder of the game. As the clock ticked down towards the end of the game it looked like Livingston would hold on to grab the win.

Then came the kind of climax to a game that comes around only once every few years. First of all, after 88 minutes, Richard Offiong skipped past a couple of defenders to get to the byeline. Faced with a packed penalty area, he opted to cut the ball back to the edge of the box where David Winters swept the ball into the top corner with the inside of his foot. It was a beautiful strike and the Accies players and fans went berserk. Accies had the scent of blood in their nostrils now and got stuck in straight from kick off. With the time at nearly ten to 5, a free kick was sent into the area from the main stand side. David Elebert got up high at the back post to head the ball back across goal, where Brian Wake just beat Colin Stewart to it. The ball fell right in front of goal where two Accies players were waiting and it was David Elebert who cracked the ball into the unguarded net from close range.

Naturally, this was the cue for the Accies fans, players and those on the bench to jump about in delight and disbelief. There was still time for Livingston to mount a couple of attacks, with Colin Stewart coming up for a corner right at the death. But there were to be no further goals and Accies held on to grab an unlikely victory.

Accies deserved to take something from the game, but this was harsh luck on the home side. Billy Reid deserves great credit for making the changes when his team were really being battered. Raymond Jellema was outstanding in goals for Accies and further forward there were good shifts by most of the team. It was great to see David Elebert back in the team and grab his second winner of the season.

Accies now have a two week break prior to the visit of Queen of the South. This will give the players a rest and should improve the injury situation.

Livingston: Stewart, MacKay, Golabek, McPake, Tweed, Mitchell, Mole, Walker, Teggart (Dorrans 63), Makel, Craig (Miller 76).

Subs Not Used: Hamill, Smylie, Wight.

Sent Off: Makel (71). Booked: Teggart, Makel.

Goal: Teggart 26.

Hamilton: Jellema, Wilson, Sharp, McCarthy (Stevenson 51), Elebert, Easton, McLeod (Winters 57), McArthur, Offiong, Neil, Gilhaney (Wake 55).

Subs Not Used: Fleming, White.

Booked: Neil, Wilson.

Goals: Winters 88, Elebert 90.

Att: 1,805

Ref: E Smith

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