Offiong keeps record intact

Aug 30 2007

HAMILTON maintained their superb 100 per cent. start to the Irn-Bru First Division with this comfortable win.

Super striker Richard Offiong’s second-half double took his tally to six for the season, and kept Accies two points clear at the top.

Remarkably, opposition sides have had a player shown a straight red card in three of Accies’ four games, with Offiong scoring the resultant penalties.

This tussle probably didn’t merit seven bookings by card-happy referee Willie Collum but he had no option other than to red-card Morton’s Jay Shields in 65 minutes for pulling down Offiong as the striker prepared to pull the trigger.

Billy Reid made two changes, with Chris Swailes replacing Stuart Taylor and James McCarthy in for David Winters, who was on the bench.

Mark Gilhaney nearly put Accies ahead in 20 minutes when he latched onto a poor Stuart Greacen pass-back and scooped the ball over Lee Robinson as the keeper came out but it bounced past.

Brian Easton’s deflected shot fell just behind Offiong in the box in 33 minutes.

Midfield ace James McArthur should have done better a minute before the break when he was picked out inside the box with just Robinson to beat but he drilled the ball just over.

Hamilton started the second half with much more purpose and were rewarded in 52 minutes with the opening goal.

McArthur’s delightful diagonal pass sent Gilhaney darting down the left and his inviting cross was bulleted into the net by the head of Offiong.

Morton hit back and sub Kieran McAnespie’s dangerous free-kick from the right was headed by Greacen but comfortably held by Bryn Halliwell.

Accies created a breathtaking move in 62 minutes when a cheeky backheeled pass by Gilhaney found Easton but his cutback was hacked clear by Kevin Finlayson.

In 65 minutes, Morton were 2-0 behind and down to 10 men.

Tom Parratt’s through ball had released Offiong when Shields brought him crashing to the ground just inside the box. Referee Collum immediately pointed to the spot and sent Shields packing.

Offiong planted the penalty low into the bottom right corner.

Hamilton: Halliwell, Parratt (McLeod, 79), Easton, Swailes, Elebert, McLaughlin (Gibson, 72), McCarthy, McArthur, Offiong (Wake, 72), Neil, Gilhaney. Subs (not used): Winters, Cerny.

Booked: Swailes, McCarthy, Parratt, McArthur, McLaughlin, Elebert.

Referee: Willie Collum.

Attendance: 3189.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Alex Neil.