2007-09-01 Partick Thistle

Accies continued their excellent start to the season with a 3-0 win at Firhill on Saturday. Richard Offiong did the damage once again with a fine first half double and a third goal by Stuart Taylor just after half time sealed the win.

Partick Thistle 0 Hamilton Accies 3

Firhill Stadium, Glasgow

Saturday, 1st September 2007

Irn Bru Scottish Division 1

Accies headed into the rest week in fine shape following this excellent victory against Ian McCall's team. Billy Reid, as expected, restored Brian Easton, Mark McLaughlin and Alex Neil to the team, with James Gibson, Chris Swailes and David Winters dropping out. Assistant manager Stuart Taylor was back in midfield in place of Tony Stevenson. Thistle were missing Alan Archibald due to suspension but former Accies man John Robertson came into the side.

The home side started the game in determined mood after their midweek CIS Cup win against St Johnstone and the Accies defence had to be alert to protect Bryn Halliwell's goal. However, they were very fortunate to escape an early penalty decision when defender Simon Storey clearly handled a cross inside the area. Referee Steve Conroy was unimpressed, despite the protestations of the Accies players. The home side were still well in the game at this stage and they had one shot that came close to breaking the deadlock.

However, it was Accies who took the lead after 26 minutes with yet another well taken goal by top scorer Richard Offiong. This time it was thistle defender Gary Harkins who dithered on the ball and was dispossessed by Offiong, with inevitable consequences. Richard placed his hot wide of Johnny Tuffey in the Jags goal and ran off to celebrate with his teammates. better was to follow just 3 minutes later when Offiong made it 2-0. The goal came after Richard was fouled out on the touchline. The free kick was placed into the area where it was headed back across goal by Mark McLaughlin and flicked on by Stuart Taylor. Offiong was in splendid isolation at the back post and he made no mistake from close range.

Accies were now in control of the game but the home side came close to pulling a goal back 5 minutes later when pint-sized winger Stevie Murray fired a brilliant free kick against the junction of the post and crossbar with Halliwell beaten. Richard offiong came close to grabbing a sensational first half hat trick when his footwork was too good for two of the Thistle defenders. He broke clear on the right side of the area but his angled shot went wide of Tuffey's far post.

So Accies were well ahead at the break and it was clear that the next goal would be crucial to the outcome of the game. Accies did not have long to wait for the goal that sealed the points, with Stuart Taylor stabbing the ball home from close range within the first minute of the second period. The home side had already replaced Paul di Giacomo at the break and they used their remaining substitutes within the first 15 minutes of the second half. None of these changes seemed to improve things for the Jags and Accies pretty much controlled the remainder of the game.

Billy Reid decided to rest Richard Offiong, James McCarthy and Mark Gilhaney and he replaced them with Brian Wake, james Gibson and paul McLeod. Towards the end, Accies had a couple of chances to make the margin of victory even more impressive, but Brian Easton headed over the top from close range and then substitute James Gibson saw his shot blocked on the line.

To be honest, after the first goal went in Accies were never really in danger of dropping any points in this game. Best for Accies were the brilliant but underrated Brian Easton at the back, defensive stalwart Mark McLaughlin, Alex Neil, James McCarthy and James McArthur in midfield plus of course that man Richard Offiong up front. Naturally, no-one is getting too excited as there are plenty of games remaining, but this represents a terrific start to the season for Billy Reid and his team.

Partick: Tuffey, Storey, Harkins, Twaddle, Robertson, Chaplain, McStay (Gibson 53), Rowson, Murray (Keegan 60), Buchanan, Di Giacomo (McKinlay 46). Subs Not Used: Connor, Hinchcliffe.

Booked: Rowson.

Hamilton: Halliwell, Parratt, Elebert, McLaughlin, Easton, Neil, Taylor, McCarthy (Gibson 74), McArthur, Gilhaney (McLeod 69), Offiong (Wake 76). Subs Not Used: Winters, Cerny.

Goals: Offiong 26, 29, Taylor 46.

Att: 3,075

Ref: S Conroy

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