Dream start as Accies top SPL

Aug 14 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON got their SPL campaign off to the perfect start with a deserved 3-1 win over Dundee United on Monday.

Accies were expected to stutter against Craig Levein’s experienced side but dominated throughout, looking hungry and more assured.

Billy Reid fielded a similar side to that which delivered the First Division championship last season, with new signings Sebastian Sorsa, Lucas Akins, Derek Lyle and Mark Corcoran having to settle for places on the bench, while Brian Carrigan was suspended.

Winger Davie Graham nearly opened the scoring in four minutes when he cut in from the right but saw his shot punched over the top right corner by Lucasz Zaluska.

Richard Offiong then mugged Lee Wilkie on the right before seeing his low effort parried and saved at the near post.

United scored against the run of play in 23 minutes when Willo Flood’s cross was inadvertently put through his own goal by defender Mark McLaughlin, under pressure from Warren Feeney.

Accies fought back and Zaluska was forced to punch clear a looping header from Simon Mensing three minutes later, with James McCarthy’s rebound effort headed clear.

Hamilton grabbed the equaliser in 29 minutes when Tony Stevenson’s 20-yard free-kick flew through United’s defensive wall and past startled Zaluska, via a deflection off Morgaro Gomis.

Accies went ahead in controversial circumstances in 39 minutes when Mark McLaughlin met Stevenson’s free-kick with a header which looped over Zaluska and was bundled in by James McArthur, who appeared to use an arm.

That was probably a break for the hosts, but one their play deserved.

Accies virtually killed the game off as a contest in 63 minutes when McArthur’s incisive pass found Offiong, who lost his balance but managed to knock the ball into the path of Graham, who took a touch before rifling the ball into the bottom left corner from 14 yards.

United threatened for the first time in 74 minutes when Wilkie had a header well saved by Tomas Cerny following a Gomis corner.

Seven minutes later, substitutes Danny Swanson and Francesco Sandaza combined, with the Spaniard’s deft header brilliantly clawed out of the bottom left corner.

Gomis saw his fierce drive punched over the top left corner in 84 minutes, before Akins’ powerful shot on the turn was well held by Zaluska.

Hamilton: Cerny, Stevenson, Easton, McCarthy (Lyle, 91), Swailes, McLaughlin, Mensing, McArthur, Offiong (Akins, 67), Neil, Graham (Corcoran, 67). Subs (not used): Murdoch, Elebert, Sorsa, Taylor.

Attendance: 4385.

Advertiser Man of the Match: James McCarthy – comfortable, assured performance in midfield.