Accies extended their lead over their nearest challengers Dundee with this well deserved win at New Douglas Park. James McArthur was the man who did the damage, with an 18th minute goal before a new ground record attendance of 5,078.
Hamilton Accies 1 Dundee 0
Irn Bru League Division 1
New Douglas Park, Hamilton
Saturday 15 March 2008
Accies thoroughly deserved this win in front of a record crowd at New Douglas Park. They have now moved 6 points ahead of their nearest challengers with just 6 games remaining. Their cause was aided in no small way by the ordering off of Dundee striker Mikael Antoine Curier just after half time.
Manager Billy Reid made two changes to the side that had drawn at Dunfermline in midweek, with Tony Stevenson and Mark Gilhaney returning in place of James McCarthy and Xavier Barrau. The stadium was nearly full and this made for a great atmosphere as the game started, with the Spice of Life stand almost full of Dundee supporters. As expected, the opening stages of the game were pretty cagey, with no real clear cut chances being created although Accies did have the lion's share of the possession.
Eddie Malone was the first player to fall out with referee Michael Tumilty when he was cautioned for a nasty tackle from behind on Richard Offiong. That was to the firs of half a dozen yellow cards shown to Dundee by the referee. Accies took the lead a couple of minutes later with a goal by James McArthur. Tony Stevenson took a free kick from the left and curled an excellent ball into the middle. Alex Neil headed it goalwards but Craig Samson dived full-length to keep the ball out. James McArthur was on the spot to shoot home from close range and the stadium erupted.
Dundee had an opportunity to get back into the game when one of the players went on a good run on the left wing. He reached the bye-line and cut the ball back towards Colin McMenamin about 15 yards out. The highly rated Dundee marksman was in a good position but his left foot shot went out for a throw in and missed the target by a long way.
There was a controversial incient after 25 minutes when Colin McMenamin went in late on Accies' 'keeper Tomas Cerny, who had the ball in his hands. There was then the usual pushing and shoving, with Accies players coming to Cerny's assistance as he lay prone on the pitch. It all ended with McMenamin and his strike partner Curier being yellow carded. The assistant on the far side then raised his flag and Paul McHale was punished too.
It was all getting a bit unpleasant but Accies continued to play the better football without creating much in the way of decent chances. Tony Stevenson fired in a few good corners and Richard Offiong came close with one effort that he headed just over the top.
The second half was only a few minutes old when Dundee striker Mikael Antoine Curier was ordered off. It followed Accies being given a free kick for an offence against Tomas Cerny. The assistant referee on the far side raised his flag to indicate to the referee that he had seen something amiss. The referee then called over Curier and showed him his second yellow card and then the inevitable red. Alex Rae and his assistant Davie Farrell couldn't keep quiet about this and they were both warned by the referee.
The absence of Curier made it much easier for the Accies defence to cope with the attacks from Dundee and David Elebert in particular was in majestic form. Brian Easton became the first Accies man to have his name taken for kicking the ball away after being penalised for hand ball. Billy Reid made his first change after 69 minutes with David Graham being replaced by James McCarthy. Young James settled into the game very well and he teamed up nicely with Neil, McArthur and Mensing.
In fact it was Simon Mensing who came closest to increasing the lead for Accies with a fine low shot that beat Samson but struck the post. Dundee began to throw everything at Accies in a bid to rescue the game but it never looked likely. This included the introduction of Derek Lyle, who has agreed to join Accies at the end of the season. He proved to be a bit of a handful for the Accies defence but the Dark Blues only created one good chance in the second half that was well saved by Tomas Cerny.
Richard Offiong and Mark Gilhaney were replaced by Andrew Waterworth and James Grady near the end and both left the field to an extended ovation from the Accies support. Despite the best efforts of the Dundee attack, there were to be no further goals and Acceis ran out convincing winners. James McArthur was named as the man of the match and it would be hard to argue with that verdict, although Alex Neil and David Elebert also had great games.
This may well prove to be hugely significant day for Accies and they are now in a good position to go on and win the league for the first time in 20 years.
Hamilton Accies: Cerny, Stevenson, Easton, Mensing, Elebert, McLaughlin, Graham (McCarthy 69), McArthur, Offiong (Waterworth 81), Neil, Gilhaney (Grady 81). Subs Not Used: Gibson, Halliwell.
Booked: Easton, Neil.
Goals: McArthur 18.
Dundee: Samson, Cowan, Dixon, McDonald, MacKenzie (Worrell 66), Malone, McHale, Noubissie (Davidson 83), McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, O'Brien (Lyle 71). Subs Not Used: Daquin, Roy.
Sent Off: Antoine-Curier (52).
Booked: Malone, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, McHale, Dixon, McDonald.
Att: 5,078
Ref: M Tumilty
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