We need to bounce back, says McLaughlin

Mar 19 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

MARK McLAUGHLIN admitted Aberdeen were worthy of their 1-0 win at Pittodrie on Saturday – and immediately set his sights on bouncing back against St Mirren this weekend.

Chris Maguire’s first-half strike was enough to secure the Dons a first win over Accies this season in a game played against a howling North Sea gale and on a pitch that has seen better days.

McLaughlin, who was a stand-out in Hamilton’s defence, said: “I thought Aberdeen were probably the better side and deserved the win.

“The conditions didn’t help – there was quite a bad wind – and the park wasn’t great either but on the day they probably shaded it and we didn’t create many chances.

“To go up there and lose was disappointing, especially when we’ve done so well against them this season, but we just need to bounce back on Saturday.

“It’s a massive game against St Mirren so hopefully we can take something out of it. We’re getting closer to the split, closer to the end of the season, and the sooner we can get safe the better. There are still nine games left, and hopefully three or four wins will keep us up.”

McLaughlin says Hamilton will need to cope with their injury problems as best they can.

He said: “Martin Canning needs a hernia operation, Trent McClenahan needs a hernia op, James McArthur’s got a problem with his knee and I had my head injury; heading the ball is quite painful.

“But we just need to get over that. It happens to every club in the Premier League and we just need to make sure we stay strong as a squad and get through that.”

Hamilton went into the game minus Brian Easton, David Elebert and McClenahan, while boss Billy Reid gambled on McLaughlin, Canning and McArthur.

Simon Mensing was suspended and striker Richard Offiong was on the bench. That meant Jordan McMillan returned to the defence, while strikers Joel Thomas and Derek Lyle made rare starts.

Hamilton battled hard with a depleted and weary side - and Aberdeen didn’t do much better.

The Dons threatened first in 12 minutes when Tommy Wright’s shot was deflected past by Martin Canning on the right.

Charlie Mulgrew’s corner was left by James McCarthy for Tomas Cerny to parry before the ball was cleared by McLaughlin.

Wright was sent through on goal again in 24 minutes but Canning matched his run and cut out the danger.

But the Dons took the lead in 27 minutes when Maguire picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and lashed a fierce effort into the bottom left corner.

Aberdeen could have doubled their lead in 31 minutes when Sone Aluko brilliantly beat the offside trap to find space on the left but successive low efforts were blocked by Canning and James Gibson, when the striker had options.

Hamilton could have levelled in 36 minutes when James McCarthy’s long ball flew over Javan Vidal and released Paul McGowan on the left but he sent a low effort past the near post.

The second half served up far fewer incidents of note although a neat Hamilton move saw James McArthur take possession from Alex Neil before blasting past the right post from 20 yards in 65 minutes.

Aberdeen went close five minutes later when Jamie Smith’s cross was met by Maguire but Cerny did well to touch his header over.

In 75 minutes, Maguire robbed substitute Kenny Deuchar as he attempted a passback on the left but succeeded only in finding the side net.

Hamilton: Cerny, McMillan, McCarthy, McLaughlin, McArthur (Offiong, 86), Neil, Thomas, Gibson, McGowan (Deuchar, 61), Lyle (Quinn, 79), Canning. Subs (not used): Murdoch, Swailes, Gillespie, Evans.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Mark McLaughlin – steadied the defence during a few Aberdeen raids.