Tempers fray at Tannadice

Nov 27 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON boss Billy Reid has refused to get drawn into a war of words with Dundee United counterpart Craig Levein, despite the Tannadice gaffer’s scathing attack following Saturday’s draw.

Levein accused Accies of negative tactics, deliberate time-wasting, inexperience and disrespect after Reid said his side had played well in a first half which they dominated.

However, Reid said: “We as a club and I as a manager can’t influence what Craig Levein says or does.

“We have a belief in what we’re doing. I have the backing of my chairman Ronnie MacDonald, and we used the same tactics last week against Celtic – for which we received praise from Gordon Strachan.

“Dundee United are a fantastic club, they have some good players, and they are annoyed that we have taken four points out of six in the two games we’ve played.

“But for such a negative team, six goals have been scored in those games - and they’ve all been scored by us!”

Reid added: “I’m only concerned about what we do as a club. We try to be as professional as possible, and if people want to say things there’s nothing we can do.

“We’re disappointed not to have taken the three points on Saturday.”

Ten-man Hamilton were left heartbroken after being just minutes away from a famous win.

Despite Levein’s views, the visitors played well, took the game to United and although it was at times backs-to-the-wall, Accies are fighting to haul themselves off the bottom while the hosts aim for a top six finish – so it’s hardly surprising.

The red card shown to Simon Mensing – currently on brilliant form – for two bookable offences played a major role in United coming back into the game.

Both cautions appear to have been for dissent, which is strange, considering United got away with clobbering several Accies stars, with James McCarthy in particular singled out for rough treatment. United captain Lee Wilkie was guilty of elbowing the young midfielder in the face.

Hamilton took the lead in eight minutes with the first real chance in the game when McCarthy played a neat diagonal ball to Mensing on the right and his low cross was slammed in from close range by Richard Offiong.

United nearly levelled in 17 minutes when Craig Conway’s corner from the left was flicked on by Jon Daly but Trent McClenahan headed the ball off the line.

Hamilton nearly scored again in 35 minutes when Mark McLaughlin hit the post with a header.

A minute later, James McArthur picked out Mensing on the right with a slide-rule pass but his powerful shot swerved pastt.

Just before half-time, McCarthy and Mensing set up McArthur on the right but his shot was saved by Lukasz Zaluska.

United could have levelled in 60 minutes when Francisco Sandaza was sent through on goal but Tomas Cerny bravely saved at his feet. Chris Swailes’ clearance attempt failed but the ball was hacked clear.

Three minutes later Accies should have sealed the win when McArthur raced through the centre and picked out Mensing on the right. His low pass found Offiong in space on the left but the striker’s careless first-time effort went wide.

The turning point came in 83 minutes when play was stopped for treatment to McArthur following a strong challenge on Conway.

Players surrounded referee Crawford Allan and the surprising outcome was a booking each for Mensing and Conway, with Mensing sent off.

Three minutes into an incredible six-and-a-half minutes of added time, Swailes blocked a netbound David Goodwillie effort.

Conway’s corner caused havoc in the Accies box and Brian Easton inadvertently put the ball past his own keeper.

Dundee United: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Flood, S. Robertson (D. Robertson, 85), Daly, Sandaza (Goodwillie, 85), Conway, Gomis (Swanson, 75), Dixon. Subs (not used): McGovern, Feeney, Kovacevic, Buaben.

Hamilton: Cerny, Easton, McCarthy, Elebert, McLaughlin, McArthur, Offiong (Akins, 88 - Thomas, 94), Neil, Swailes, McClenahan, Mensing. Subs (not used): Murdoch, Graham, Gibson, Lyle, Ettien.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Chris Swailes - a rock in defence, he regularly belies his 38 years.