Livingston 1 Accies 3

Accies took a huge step towards the league title with this fine win against Livingston at Almondvale. Richard Offiong gave Accies the lead after 24 minutes and James McArthur scored an excellent second goal six minutes before the break. The game was effectively finished by Simon Mensing's goal just 75 seconds into the second half, although Dave McKay pulled one back from the spot near the end.

Accies remain four points ahead of Dundee knowing that a win against Clyde at New Douglas Park next week would give them the title. Dundee travel to Scottish Cup Finalists Queen of the South.

Livingston 1 Hamilton Accies 3

Almondvale Stadium, Livingston

Saturday, 12th April 2008

Irn Bru League Division 1

In early December, Accies travelled the short distance to Almondvale and were taken apart by a superb performance by the home team. How things have changed. The personnel involved haven't changed much, but in terms of quality this Accies team were streets ahead of the opponents. Cheered on by a travelling support of over 800, Accies moved to just one victory away from the first division championship. Billy Reid made a couple of changes for this game. Chris Swailes stepped in as a late replacement for flu-ridden Mark McLaughlin, while assistant manager Stuart Taylor made his first start for several months in place of David Graham.

With the home side not yet being completely safe from the dreaded relegation playoff spot, this was always going to be a keenly contested match. In the opening stages, it was obvious that this would be a tough game for Accies, with Livi having impressive teenager Leigh Griffiths up front and West Brom bound Graham Dorrans in their lineup. Griffiths had a decent day; he was named as the SFL Young Player of the month for March and then picked up a medal as part of Livingston's victorious under 19 squad.

However, Accies had their eyes on a bigger prize as they started to stroke the ball about quite well. The opening goal was kind of a low key affair, with skipper Alex Neil bursting through from midfield before slipping the ball forwards to Richard Offiong. Richard hit the ball first time and it certainly took a deflection before trundling past Jim Stewart. After scoring so many excellent goals this term it was perhaps a bit ironic that Richard's 20th should be so unmemorable, however it was of huge importance. Accies were only able to enjoy the lead for a couple of minutes before Leigh Griffiths reminded them that the home side were not there just to make up the numbers. He found space inside the penalty area before thumping in a superb shot that defeated Tomas Cerny but thudded off the underside of the crossbar.

Accies extended their lead with a sublime goal after 39 minutes. Simon Mensing was the creator this time, with an excellent run down the right wing. he exchanged passes with Richard Offiong before squaring the ball towards him. Richard spotted James McArthur out of the corner of his eye and dummied it into his path. James made no mistake from close range and Accies were now two goals ahead. Accies were full of confidence now and had one or two more good attacks before the interval but there were to be no more goals before then.

That situation changed just a minute after the interval as Accies made the game safe with goal No 3. This time there was a clear defensive error at the heart of things, with one of the Livi players making a mess of a defensive header from a Tony Stevenson free kick. The ball bounced about the area before being laid into the path of Simon Mensing and he side footed the ball low past the wrong-footed Jim Stewart. Accies were coasting now and both sides knew that the game was effectively over.

As the half developed, Billy Reid withdrew Stuart Taylor and Richard Offiong, with Mark Gilhaney and Andrew Waterworth taking over. Both players did reasonably well, with Mark Gilhaney doing his best to set up a 4th goal for James McCarthy. He skinned a Livi man before cutting the ball back for young James but his quickly taken shot hit Jim Stewart's crossbar and rebounded to safety. Accies tired a bit as the half progressed; Billy Reid admitted later that he had perhaps worked them a bit too hard in training during the week.

Livingston were more of an attacking force late in the game and Tomas Cerny was kept pretty busy. One move near the end culminated in a foul by James McCarthy inside the area and Dave Mackay made a good job of the spot kick to give his side some hope of salvaging a point. They did pile on the pressure near the end but there were to be no further goals.

So the end result was that Accies held out for all three points and they were well deserved, although the home side did have their moments. Best in the hoops were Simon Mensing, Richard Offiong, James McArthur and Chris Swailes, although it has to be said that this was a solid team performance by a team that appears to be maintaining it's focus and professionalism at the vital time. One more big effort against Clyde next week and the league will be theirs.

Livingston: Stewart, MacKay, James (Davidson 54), McPake, McCaffrey, Tinkler (MacDonald 80), Dorrans, Fox, Griffiths (Weir 67), Craig, Snodgrass.

Subs Not Used: Lunn, Sinclair.

Booked: Craig, Tinkler.

Goal: MacKay 86 pen.

Hamilton Academical: Cerny, Stevenson, Easton, Mensing, Elebert, Swailes, Taylor (Gilhaney 60), McArthur, Offiong (Waterworth 69), Neil, McCarthy.

Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Graham, Parratt.

Goals: Offiong 25, McArthur 39, Mensing 46.

Att: 2,110

Ref: C Brown

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