Binos suffer as Accies run riot

Sep 20 2007 By Andy McGilvray at New Douglas Park

DEVASTATING Hamilton kept up their amazing start to the season with a four-goal demolition of Stirling Albion.

And, courtesy of Dundee’s draw against Dunfermline, the New Douglas Park side moved four points clear at the top of the Irn-Bru First Division.

Hamilton dominated this match from start to finish and although Albion had chances, they failed to trouble goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell.

A bizarre opening goal by captain Alex Neil was added to by terrific second-half strikes from Mark Gilhaney, James McCarthy and Brian Wake.

Hamilton grabbed their first in 26 minutes when Neil lined up an angled free-kick 40 yards out on the left, sent his delivery into the box — and saw it end up in the bottom right corner.

Confusion reigned as to the scorer, with James McCarthy claiming a touch, while others said it took a deflection off visiting defender Laurie Ellis — but the captain was credited with the goal.

Gilhaney scored a spectacular second goal in 56 minutes.

The winger picked up a loose ball in midfield and, 35 yards out, flicked it up for himself before sending a dipping volley over helpless keeper Myles Hogarth.

After 60 minutes Hamilton were 3-0 up and cruising, thanks again to Gilhaney.

The winger showed an audacious piece of skill to beat two lunging defenders down the left flank and cut inside into the box.

Gilhaney’s low drive crashed off the left post, but McCarthy was on hand to sweep the ball home from 12 yards.

Hamilton wrapped up the points in 85 minutes when a defensive error let Gilhaney’s speculative cross from the right reach Brian Wake and the substitute striker made no mistake from close range.

Hamilton had other opportunities to score, and could have taken the lead in eight minutes when Richard Offiong collected a Gilhaney free-kick in the box, but the big striker’s angled drive slipped just past the left post with Hogarth beaten.

Eleven minutes later only a terrific intervention by defender Craig Reid prevented Offiong from heading home a James McArthur cross.

In 23 minutes Offiong was sent through on goal and clipped his shot past Hogarth, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Seven minutes later McCarthy showed a great piece of skill to leap over a lunging challenge on his way through to goal down the right channel, but Hogarth was able to block his effort.

In 32 minutes Offiong darted through on the left and with Gilhaney screaming for a pass, the striker decided to go it alone.

The big striker rounded keeper Hogarth, but saw his shot deflected past by Reid.

Accies nearly stretched their lead seven minutes into the second half when Gilhaney’s cross from the left was met with a powerful header by McArthur, but the midfielder watched in horror as his effort crashed off the bar.

Stirling threatened for the first time in 55 minutes when a defensive error let David McKenna through, but Bryn Halliwell comfortably smothered his effort when the striker really should have scored.

Albion had another chance at 3-0 down in 81 minutes when former Hamilton star Chris Aitken’s neat free-kick released sub John Paul McBride in the box, but he pulled his shot wide of target with only Halliwell to beat.

Three minutes later a cross cum lob attempt by Nathan Taggart was headed clear by Tom Parratt at the left post.

With a couple of minutes left, Hogarth was injured in an accidental collision with Wake, and after receiving treatment the keeper was forced to limp off.

Having used all three subs, Albion midfielder Steven Bell went in goal for the remainder of the game.

Sub David Winters went on a run through the Stirling defence a minute into stoppage time, but his 17-yard chip flew over.

Two minutes later Wake sent an angled drive inches past the left post with Winters and McArthur screaming for a pass in the centre.

HAMILTON: Halliwell, Parratt, Easton, Taylor, Elebert, McLaughlin (Swailes, 64), McCarthy (Winters, 74), McArthur, Offiong (Wake, 79), Neil, Gilhaney. Subs (not used): McLeod, Cerny.

Booked: McCarthy, McArthur.

STIRLING: Hogarth, Nugent (Cramb, 65), Ellis, Reid, Graham, Aitken, Bell, Murphy (Easton, 65), Lilley (McBride, 65), McKenna, Taggart. Subs (not used): Hay, Christie.

Booked: Nugent, Taggart, Lilley.

Referee: Charlie Richmond.

Attendance: 1749.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Mark Gilhaney.