Accies maintained pole position in the league race with this convincing win against St Johnstone. Tony Stevenson gave Accies the lead early on when he scored direct from a corner kick while David Elebert made the game safe with a second half header from a Stevenson corner kick.
With Dundee scoring a late winner, Accies are still 4 points ahead with just three games remaining.
Hamilton Accies 2 St Johnstone 0
Irn Bru League Division 1
New Douglas Park, Hamilton
Saturday 5 April 2008
Accies maintained their four point lead at the top of the table with this fine win against St Johnstone. Billy Reid made two changes, with Alex Neil and Simon Mensing returning to midfield. James Gibson and Mark Gilhaney were on the bench. Accies looked hungry and keen from the first whistle and almost took the lead after 4 minutes when Saints full back Goran Stanic overhit a passback to goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert. Luckily for both of them, the ball trundled just wide of the empty gal but it proved to be only a temporary respite for the home side.
Tony Stevenson took the corner kick and it curled straight into the far corner of the net to give Accies the lead. A journalist later asked Tony if it was deliberate. A daft question really, his job was to hit a dangerous ball into the penalty area to test the defence and he did that expertly. Naturally, the goal gave Accies a real lift and they went looking for more goals.
Accies created several good opportunities to increase their lead before the break but that vital second goal was elusive. David Elebert rose well to meet another Tony Stevenson corner but his powerful header went straight at Cuthbert. David Graham had a brilliant jinking run into the area but couldn't get any power on his shot. Simon Mensing got a good header at the back post from yet another Stevenson corner but the ball bounced down and over the crossbar. Just before the break, James McArthur tried to put Richard Offiong through on goal but the two players got their wires crossed and the chance was lost. The visitors were seldom in the game as an attacking force but did manage a couple of efforts that caused no great alarm to the Accies defence.
St Johnstone made a change at the interval, with Martin Hardie returning from a long injury layoff to replace Allan McManus. Billy Reid made a tactical switch too, with Simon Mensing moving to right back and Tony Stevenson moving into midfield. Accies went into attack from the restart and David Graham was unfortunate to see his shot go wide of goal. However, the crucial second goal was not delayed for long and it came when David Elebert rose high to meet yet another perfect corner kick from Tony Stevenson. His header was good and was headed away by Goran Stanic. Happily for Accies, the assistant referee sprinted off to the half way line and the Accies players and fans started the celebrations.
The game seemed to be fairly safe for Accies now. Billy Reid decided the time was right to withdraw Richard Offiong as the striker had hurt an ankle in the first half. It gave him the chance to give Andrew Waterworth a decent run out and the young Irishman did well. The remainder of the game was largely played out in the Saints half, with Accies enjoying the lion's share of possession and shots at the target. The best chance created was an exquisite bit of interplay between James McCarthy and Andrew Waterworth but Kevin Cuthbert was able to smother the ball when a goal seemed certain.
Billy Reid made his two other changes, with Mark Gilhaney replacing Tony Stevenson and James Gibson coming on for David Graham. The visitors came briefly to life near the end, with a powerful low drive by Steven Anderson flashing just past the post but they seemed to have little appetite for the game.
So it was an excellent three points for Accies and, more importantly, Dundee were unable to close the gap. best for Accies was undoubtedly James McArthur, who ran the show in midfield and benefited greatly from having his skipper back beside him. There were no failures for Accies from back to front and they will now be a side full of confidence for the next game.
Hamilton: Cerny, Stevenson (Gilhaney 67), Easton, Mensing, Elebert, McLaughlin, Graham (Gibson 80), McArthur, Offiong (Waterworth 58), Neil, McCarthy.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Potter.
Goals: Stevenson 5, Elebert 56.
St Johnstone: Cuthbert, Irvine, Stanic, Anderson, Rutkiewicz, McManus (Hardie 46), MacDonald (Milne 57), Moon (Quinn), Jackson, Craig, Sheerin.
Subs Not Used: Weatherston, Main.
Att: 1,825
Ref: D McDonald
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