Si nearly didn't take crucial spot kick

Jan 8 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SIMON Mensing this week admitted he almost didn’t take the penalty that set Hamilton on their way to a stunning 2-0 win over Aberdeen.

The former St Johnstone and Motherwell midfielder was desperate to take the 51st-minute spot-kick but wasn’t about to argue when striker Richard Offiong picked up the ball – until he was ordered to by boss Billy Reid.

Mensing clinically dispatched the ball past Jamie Langfield for his first goal of the season and Offiong later weighed in with a brilliant clinching second... before being sent off in the last minute for perceived timewasting.

Delighted Mensing said later: “I don’t think it was clarified before the game who was to take penalties and I fancied it, but Richard was quick to grab the ball until the gaffer told us otherwise.

“I had tried getting the ball off of Richie straight away but he’s a big boy!

“No, he’s a striker so the last thing I wanted to do was to allow a confrontation on the pitch so I let him take it until the gaffer intervened. “I was more than happy to take it in the end!”

Mensing added: “You always want to score goals. Getting the three points was the main thing but on a personal note I’m delighted to get off the mark.

“I think something that has been lacking from my game this season has been goals so it’s good to get off the mark and hopefully there will be more to come.”

Mensing reckons picking up wins at New Douglas Park could be the key to staying in the SPL and hopes Saturday’s win will provide a welcome boost – but he’s not getting carried away.

He added: “Aberdeen are expected to finish in the top six so we’re delighted to have beaten them twice this season, but it’s only three points and they could have been against anyone.

“The main thing is the win, but it is encouraging. You try and take as many points as you can, especially from home games which we’ve been doing of late.

“If we keep doing that hopefully it will stand us in good stead and it’s an indication of what is to come.”

Simon looked ahead to Saturday’s Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth-round clash against First Division side Ross County, and said it’s a welcome break from the cut-throat SPL.

Having plied his trade with Clyde and St Johnstone before joining Hamilton, Mensing is no stranger to Victoria Park.

He said: “It’s a long journey to Dingwall!

“I’ve played at Victoria Park a few times and it’s a hard place to go to, but this win will give us a boost and we’ll use the whole week to get prepared for it.

“It’s a good much needed break from the league and hopefully we can go there and progress.”