Narrow win takes Reid’s men through in CIS Cup

Aug 30 2007

SUPERSUB Brian Wake hit two goals on Tuesday to book Accies a place in Monday’s CIS Cup third-round draw.

Second Division Berwick put up a brave fight and played some superb stuff at times but Accies were never in serious danger of losing this match — even when wee Rangers took a shock lead.

However, young Hamilton defender Tom Parratt will be glad the clash wasn’t televised after scoring a spectacular own-goal.

Billy Reid made three changes to Saturday’s line-up, resting Mark McLaughlin and putting Brian Easton and captain Alex Neil on the bench. Their places were taken by James Gibson, Tony Stevenson and David Winters.

Winters nearly set up an opener for Accies in less than a minute when his free-kick on the left was flicked goalwards by Richard Offiong, but Gary O’Connor saved.

But after Hamilton conceded a free-kick 30 yards from goal in 10 minutes, Gary Wood took the set-piece quickly and released Iain Diack who drew Bryn Halliwell and scored a shock opener.

That lead lasted just five minutes, however, until Tony Stevenson’s corner from the right was nodded on by Chris Swailes for Winters to head past O’Connor, his first goal of the season.

Substitute Brian Wake headed tamely into O’Connor’s arms in 37 minutes.

Four minutes into the second half, Winters found Gilhaney, who moved infield before sending a curling shot in on goal that O’Connor did well to clear.

Hamilton took a deserved lead in 55 minutes when Parratt’s delightful through ball released Wake, who feinted to shoot with his right and cleverly switched to his left before clipping a crisp shot past helpless O’Connor for his first goal of the season.

In 64 minutes, Wake was sent through on O’Connor. The ’keeper rushed out of goal to block and the ball fell to Winters on the right flank, but his curling effort slipped inches past.

Berwick grabbed a bizarre leveller in 65 minutes. Danny Swanson’s shot from an acute angle flew past Halliwell but crashed off the left post only for Parratt to inexplicably slice it into the roof of his own net.

Young midfielder James McCarthy sent a shot off the left post two minutes later.

Hamilton took the lead again in 75 minutes when Winters drove into the box and the ball broke to Wake, who made no mistake from 10 yards.

Hamilton: Halliwell, Parratt, Gibson, Swailes, Elebert, Stevenson (Neil, 39), McCarthy, McArthur, Offiong (Wake, 33), Winters, Gilhaney (McLeod, 88). Subs (not used): Easton, Cerny.

Booked: Neil.

Referee: David Somers.

Attendance: 402.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Brian Wake.