Bairns to the four

Oct 2 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SIMON Mensing has urged his young team-mates not to let Saturday’s defeat at Falkirk ruin their good start to the season.

With an eye on Saturday’s trip to Celtic Park, the midfielder said: “The gaffer was telling us after the game to keep our heads up. We’re in the top league in Scotland and we’re going to lose from time to time, but it’s how we bounce back from defeat that matters.

“However, we’ve got a confident bunch of lads in the dressing room.”

A second-half double from Scott Arfield and a stunning strike by Burton O’Brien handed Hamilton their heaviest defeat of the season, but Falkirk’s first goal, a minute from the interval, was somewhat against the run of play.

Both sides had early chances, with James McCarthy sending a shot narrowly wide after just six minutes, before O’Brien’s effort was well blocked following good set-up play by Lovell.

James McArthur went on a good run before releasing Derek Lyle in 16 minutes, but his angled drive was saved.

David Elebert was forced to clear Lovell’s shot off the line three minutes later, after Michael Higdon had knocked down a Kevin McBride free-kick.

Graham Barrett had a shot saved and found the side-net before Hamilton went close to breaking the deadlock in 36 minutes, but Robert Olejnik clawed Joel Thomas’ header over from a Stevenson corner.

Falkirk struck on the break in 44 minutes with a sweeping move which ended when Barrett’s cross was steered in at the left post by Lovell.

Seconds later Arfield released Lovell through the middle, but Martin Canning recovered brilliantly to block his effort.

Hamilton could have levelled within a minute of the second half when McCarthy’s sublime reverse pass released McArthur on the right, but his low shot was comfortably held by Olejnik.

Cerny was then forced into a full-length save to punch clear McBride’s stinging 20-yard drive.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid pitched in Stephen Ettien and Richard Offiong for Thomas and Lyle in 55 minutes and Accies should have levelled a minute later.

Graham’s cross from the right was headed by Ettien at the left post, but Olejnik touched it onto the upright and McCarthy was unable to capitalise on the rebound, with McBride hacking clear.

Falkirk doubled their lead in 69 minutes when Arfield intercepted a pass meant for Mensing and bore down on goal before drilling into the bottom right corner.

Three minutes later O’Brien capitalised on a slack Cerny clearance and kept his composure before sending an unstoppable shot past the Czech keeper from 20 yards.

Hamilton should have pulled a goal back in 77 minutes when McCarthy sent Offiong through on goal, but after rounding Olejnik the striker blasted over from an acute angle on the right.

Lovell and Higdon went close before Falkirk grabbed their fourth from the spot in 87 minutes after Graham’s clumsy challenge brought sub Gerard Aafjes down in the box, and Arfield made no mistake.

Hamilton grabbed a bizarre goal back in stoppage-time when sub Trent McLenaghan’s cross from the right was palmed into his own goal by Olejnik.

Mensing hopes Accies can pick themselves back up for the trip to Glasgow’s east end, and said: “For most of us it’s the biggest game of our lives. It’s a massive game, but we go there with nothing to lose, and the lads should go out there and enjoy themselves.”

FALKIRK: Olejnik, Bullen, McNamara (Aafjes, 75), McBride (Cregg, 70), Barrett (Lynch, 75), Higdon, Lovell, Arfield, Barr, Scobbie, O’Brien. Subs (not used): Flinders, J. Stewart, M. Stewart, McCaffrey.

HAMILTON: Cerny, Easton, McCarthy, Elebert, Graham, McArthur, Thomas (Offiong, 55), Stevenson (McLenaghan, 74), Lyle (Ettien, 55), Canning, Mensing. Subs (not used): Murdoch, Akins, Swailes, Sorsa. Booked: McCarthy.

Referee: Mike Tumilty.

Attendance: 4732.

Advertiser Man of the Match: James McCarthy.