Accies lose out to Lanarkshire rivals

Jul 26 2007

HA218107.

HAMILTON slumped to a 1-0 defeat by derby rivals Airdrie United at New Douglas Park last Thursday.

Billy Reid’s side wasn’t firing on all cylinders, while Airdrie looked sharper, hungrier and played some decent football.

However, Hamilton were far from full-strength, with top strikers Richard Offiong and Neil Teggart still to get a pre-season run-out.

Trialist striker Ryan Harper was given a chance up front, 24 hours before signing a two-year deal.

Keeper Bryn Halliwell was forced into action in nine minutes, clawing away former Hamilton striker Allan Russell’s chip from near the right touchline.

Airdrie keeper Stephen Robertson held David Elebert’s deflected drive in 20 minutes.

A neat move by Airdrie 60 seconds later put Roddy Hunter through on Halliwell and he beat the English keeper, only to see his shot crash off the right post.

A good run down the left by Kevin Davison carved an opening for Accies in 22 minutes, but his cutback was just too far ahead of Harper.

Russell broke through a hesitant Hamilton defence again in 35 minutes, and the ball bounced up invitingly for former Accies hero Jose Quitongo — appearing as a trialist — but the Angolan’s low volley crashed off the right post.

Sub Mark Gilhaney had the ball in the net in 56 minutes following a goalmouth scramble, but linesman Frankie Connor had flagged for an earlier foul.

Airdrie scored what proved to be the winner in 64 minutes when Russell’s cross from the right was fumbled over the line by Halliwell, under pressure from sub David Gillies.

Brian Easton was unlucky not to equalise from a Kevin Davison corner, but the defender’s header was cleared off the line by Alan Lindsay.

Sub Stuart Taylor was then put through by Harper in 80 minutes, but his powerful drive was brilliantly punched away by former Diamonds team-mate Robertson.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Ryan Harper — showed that he can be a handful for defences.

HAMILTON: Halliwell, Parratt, Gibson (McLaughlin, 53), McCarthy (Taylor, 70), Elebert, Easton, McLeod (Gilhaney, 53), McArthur, Harper, Neil (Stevenson, 27), Davison. Subs (not used): Collins, Dimilta, Crawford, Sheridan, McQueen, Jellema.