Taylor-made start to Accies’ title challenge

Aug 9 2007

HAMILTON deservedly dumped a strong Dunfermline side as they kicked off their Irn-Bru First Division campaign in some style.

Having dropped down from the SPL last term, Dunfermline are red-hot title favourites, but were warned in no uncertain terms not to expect an easy ride in the lower reaches.

Hamilton were the better side and thoroughly deserved to win — and should have scored more.

Accies’ new assistant manager Stuart Taylor was outstanding on his debut, opened the scoring in five minutes, and forced Phil McGuire into conceding the 47th-minute penalty that led to the Pars defender’s dismissal and Richard Offiong’s winner.

Hamilton scored with their first attack in five minutes when James McArthur sent Mark Gilhaney racing down the left flank, he cut inside and Pars keeper Roddy McKenzie could only partially block his shot, with Taylor on hand to head home at the near post.

Gilhaney found Taylor in the box after seven minutes, but the midfielder’s drive was well stopped by McKenzie.

Mark Burchill should have levelled for Dunfermline in 11 minutes when, after some penalty-box pinball, he found space for a shot but blazed high and wide.

Offiong’s deep cross from the right was met with a downward flying header by McArthur in 13 minutes, but McKenzie brilliantly pushed it over.

Dunfermline levelled in 18 minutes when McKenzie’s goal-kick reached the Hamilton box, Chris Swailes was woefully short with a pass-back, and Burchill nipped in between him and keeper Bryn Halliwell to score.

Kevin Harper sent a curling lobbed shot inches past the top right corner from 18 yards in 37 minutes.

But Offiong really should have put Hamilton 2-1 up at the break when he mugged Wilson on the edge of the box, drew McKenzie, but slipped his shot inches past the right post from eight yards.

Swailes was punished for his erratic defending when he was replaced by Tom Parratt at the interval.

But the game had barely restarted before Accies were ahead and Dunfermline were down to 10 men.

Offiong’s insightful pass sent Taylor through on McKenzie, but McGuire hauled him down inside the box.

Referee Dougie McDonald had no alternative but to signal a penalty and red-card McGuire.

Offiong stepped up and blasted the spot-kick into the bottom corner.

McArthur picked out Offiong in 51 minutes, but his 19-yard chip was well held by McKenzie.

Dunfermline had a go with 10 men, and their best chance fell to Harper in 73 minutes, but his low drive was well blocked by Halliwell.

Substitute Brian Wake nearly grabbed a third in 83 minutes when he connected with an Alex Neil free-kick, but Wilson deflected his netbound shot past the left post.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Stuart Taylor.

HAMILTON: Halliwell, Elebert, Easton, Taylor, Swailes (Parratt, 45), McLaughlin, McLeod (Wake, 72), McArthur, Offiong (McCarthy, 72), Neil, Gilhaney. Subs (not used): McJimpsey, Cerny.

Booked: Neil, Taylor.

DUNFERMLINE: McKenzie, Shields, Wilson, Young, McGuire, Glass, Harper (Hamilton, 87), Simmons (Morrison, 68), Burchill, McManus (Crawford, 68), Muirhead. Subs (not used): Thomson, Murdoch.

Booked: Young, Wilson. Sent off: McGuire.

Referee: Dougie McDonald.