Accies lost their 100% record on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Livingston at New Douglas Park. Stuart Taylor opened the scoring for Accies with a header after 34 minutes, but Steven Craig equalised from close range early in the second half. Results elsewhere were kind to Accies, so they maintain their 4 point lead at the top of the table.
Hamilton Accies 1 Livingston 1
New Douglas Park
Saturday, 22nd September 2007
Irn Bru League Division 1
An unchanged Accies side dropped their first points of the season against a hard working and disciplined Livingston team. There had been a doubt over the fitness of Brian Easton after he was injured against Stirling Albion 7 days earlier, but the big defender was in his usual position. There was a surprise for the Accies fans with the familiar face of Jose Quitongo included amongst the substitutes for Livingston as a trialist.
Accies took a bit of time to settle into the game and certainly didn't have things all their own way. The best early attempt on goal came from Steven Craig, who headed just wide of the Accies goal. the Accies defence looked uncharacteristically nervous at times, with dangerous crosses flashing across the penalty area. Accies came into the game as the half progressed, with Richard Offiong trying a snap shot from the edge of the area that visiting goalkeeper Liberda held comfortably. Offiong had an excellent opportunity to give Accies the lead when he was sent clear on the left. However, Liberda again did well to save his low shot.
Accies were attacking in numbers now and both Mark McLaughlin and Tom Parratt had efforts that went over the top. Stuart Taylor was unlucky not to score with a sweetly struck left foot shot that Liberda turned around the post. A goal seemed likely and it arrived from the resulting corner. Mark Gilhaney swung the ball into the area but it went all the way through to the back post, where Stuart Taylor flung himself at the ball to head home. Accies maintained their lead to the interval and they just about deserved to be ahead. It was not their most convincing performance of the season so far but the goal seemed to have come at just the right time to calm the nerves.
Unfortunately, Livingston were to equalise shortly after half time. Mark Gilhaney had been fouled by a Livingston player and was receiving treatment on the touchline when the free kick was taken. It was poorly struck and cleared away by the Livi defence. This gave them a chance to mount a counter attack that ended with the ball being played out to Graham, Dorrans on the right wing. He had a clear view of Bryn Halliwell's goal and fired the ball in low and hard. Halliwell made the save but the ball rebounded to Steven Craig, who netted easily from close range. Accies' clean sheet had lasted for 576 minutes, which was a terrific effort by the defence.
Livingston took great confidence from their goal and tried their best to grab a second. They saw a fair amount of the ball, but did not force another save from Bryn Halliwell. Billy Reid made a couple of changes, with Stuart Taylor and Richard Offiong being replaced by David Winters and Brian Wake. This led to a more direct style of play, with Wake doing his best to hold the ball up and bring others into the game. Winters combined well with Mark Gilhaney on a couple of occasions, but a second goal for Accies never arrived. Mark had a couple of good shots on goal, but Liberda did well to save the first one and the second effort went just over the top.
Paul McLeod replaced James McCarthy for the final 11 minutes but wasn't able to make much of an impression on the game. Neither side deserved either to win or lose the game and a draw was just about right. This was a flat performance from Accies, with the defence looking a bit shaky at times and the midfield and forwards lacking in inspiration. Part of the reason for this must be the performance of Livingston, who certainly gave Accies their toughest game of the season so far. Their key men were Dave Mackay and Mark Tinkler at the back as they mopped up almost everything Accies flung at them. The good news for Accies was that no fresh injuries were sustained.
Accies now prepare for the visit of Kilmarnock on CIS Cup business. There's no doubt that they will have to raise their game if they're to cause a cup upset on Tuesday.
Hamilton: Halliwell, Parratt, Easton, Taylor (Winters 60), Elebert, McLaughlin, McCarthy (McLeod 79), McArthur, Offiong (Wake 60), Neil, Gilhaney.
Subs Not Used: Swailes, Cerny
Booked: McLaughlin
Goals: Taylor 36.
Livingston: Liberda, Mitchell, McCaffrey, MacKay, Tinkler, Fox, Dorrans, Kennedy, Craig (Weir 67), Pesir, Snodgrass.
Subs Not Used: James, Noubissie, Quitongo, Stewart
Booked: Snodgrass, Mitchell, Weir
Goals: Craig 54.
Att: 1835
Ref: S Dougal
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