Hamilton Accies retain SPL spot despite defeat

May 16 2009 By Chris Clements

Hamilton Accies 0 Motherwell 3

IT wasn’t the most glamorous way to avoid the drop, but Accies have survived despite going down 3-0 at home to their local rivals.

Results elsewhere in the SPL saw Kilmarnock beat Inverness and ensure Accies are safe for another season.

Accies started relatively well against Motherwell, with James McCarthy threading a pass through to Derek Lyle, who hit the sidenetting on the right. McCarthy again placed a great ball for striker Joel Thomas who was wasteful.

Despite the heavy pressure from Hamilton, it was the visitors who scored on the break. A clearance from the Well area found forward Cillian Sheridan who managed to find his way past Brian Easton and Alex Neil to shoot at Tomas Cerny, who saved but couldn’t hold on to the ball. Sheridan found the ball again and a cross across the area found David Clarkson, who slotted it home.

Accies threatened to come back into the game with a Chris Swailes header being cleared off the line, and Paul Quinn rescuing Motherwell from a chip shot from Lyle that had beaten keeper Graeme Smith.

The second half saw Hamilton frustrated to scored, but Mohterwell doubled their lead. A Stephen Hughes pass from the right was pounced upon by Cerny, but again he couldn’t hold it, and Sheridan capitalised from the tight angle to make it two.

Accies continued to threaten, but it was ‘Well who looked more likely to score in attack, with Sheridan proving this with a lovely bit of skill on the touchline to set the ball on the plate for substitute John Sutton to finish.

At the final whistle, Accies fans and players celebrated knowing that they won't be going back down to the First Division as results elsewhere ensured Accies will retain their SPL status.

Although Accies are only three points clear of bottom-placed Falkirk, the Bairns face Inverness in the final match meaning that both can't overtake Hamilton.