Livi Lions tame off-form Accies

Dec 13 2007

HAMILTON turned in their worst performance of the season so far as Livingston ran out comfortable winners in the snow at Almondvale.

The Livi Lions turned on the style in front of their fans against a sad Accies side.

This defeat, coupled with Dundee’s 3-1 win over Stirling, saw the Dens Park side draw level on points with Accies, although Billy Reid’s men have a better goal difference.

Reid kept faith with the side that won 4-2 at Stirling last week but this performance wasn’t a patch on that showing.

A miserable first half failed to warm the crowd, although Livingston looked more likely, with Graham Dorrans already showing the menace he would provide in the second half.

His 19th-minute corner caused problems in the Hamilton box and the ball was cleared out to where he was lurking on the left wing. A quick exchange with Lee Makel and the midfielder was given space to drive at the visiting defence, with Bryn Halliwell superbly blocking his effort before Brian Easton hacked clear.

Halliwell was called into action a minute later to keep out a fine effort by Tomas Pesir.

Hamilton’s first shot on target arrived in 22 minutes when James McArthur and Mark Gilhaney linked to provide space for Richard Offiong.

Despite looking like he was being held up by a defender, the striker fired in a shot but it was tame and failed to trouble Colin Stewart.

Dorrans threatened again in 34 minutes when his fierce 25-yard free-kick was punched over by Halliwell.

Accies were first to threaten in the second half when Offiong was sent racing down the left flank in 49 minutes. His cross was missed by Stewart but Gilhaney was unable to connect at the back post.

Livingston took the lead in 52 minutes when Dorrans played a neat pass to Makel down the right and his cross found its way to Robert Snodgrass, who steadied himself before prodding past Halliwell from close range.

McArthur tried to get Accies back into the game in 55 minutes but his rising drive was well taken at the top left corner.

A minute later, Snodgrass found space on the edge of the box again, and his low shot whistled past Halliwell only to strike the base of the right post and bounce to safety.

Offiong was released down the left and opted to go it alone in 64 minutes, but his shot was well taken at the top left corner.

Hamilton were let off the hook in 67 minutes when a 20-yard Dorrans drive was spilled by Halliwell in the slippery conditions but skidded past the right post when it could easily have ended up in the corner of the net.

Dorrans once more showed his menace by linking up with Snodgrass again in 70 minutes and the striker jinked past Chris Swailes before unleashing a searing drive straight into the top right corner past helpless Halliwell.

Colin McMenamin came close to scoring a third goal in 72 minutes with a long-range chip that had Halliwell scrambling but the ball flew inches over.

From Dorrans’ corner, Pesir’s header was parried by Halliwell at the bottom right corner and cleared by Swailes.

McArthur tried his luck again with a 25-yard drive, but it was again saved at the bottom left corner.

Snodgrass nearly sealed his hat-trick in 84 minutes, but shot inches past the bottom right corner from 16 yards.

Hamilton: Halliwell, Mensing, Easton, McCarthy, Swailes, McLaughlin, Wallner (Wake, 69), McArthur, Offiong, Neil, Gilhaney (Graham, 73). Subs (not used): Winters, Gibson, Cerny.

Advertiser Man of the Match: James McArthur – one of few players who deserved pass marks.