Hamilton Accies Women paying the penalty for slack defending

Aug 20 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup first round

HAMILTON Accies Women were made to rue slack defending as Aberdeen bounced back from a 3-1 deficit to take this League Cup tie into extra-time before progressing to the second round on penalties.

Manager Kevin Murphy couldn’t hide his frustration and said: “To say I am disappointed is an understatement. We dominated large spells of this game only to let Aberdeen back into it late in the second half.”

The match was played on a 3G pitch at Wishaw on a windy day, which caused problems for both sides over the 120 minutes.

Accies took the lead in five minutes when a great through-ball from Katie Reilly released striker Sarah Crilly and she calmly finished.

Hamilton were playing well and in 20 minutes Susan Fairlie played a neat one-two with Kim Keys before unleashing a tremendous strike into the top corner for 2-0.

But Chloe Fitzpatrick pulled a goal back from close range, giving Aberdeen belief, and Hamilton were relieved to reach half-time with their lead intact.

Within five minutes of the restart Accies went further ahead when Lindsay Hogg’s powerful free-kick was fumbled by the Dons keeper.

Although Accies dominated the next 20 minutes they didn’t create much and Aberdeen found their way back into the game.

In 75 minutes Nicky Wright ran through before beating the goalkeeper, slotting into the bottom left corner for 3-2.

Five minutes later Aberdeen’s Rachel Small saw a free-kick brilliantly touched over the bar by Accies keeper Elaine Fleming, and from the corner only a great clearance by Gill Inglis relieved the pressure.

Aberdeen were in the ascendency, however, and Wright scored her second of the afternoon in 85 minutes, taking the tie into extra-time.

Accies regained the advantage 10 minutes into the first period when a great ball by Sam McManus released Crilly and she rounded the goalkeeper to score, before being booked for over-celebrating.

Aberdeen weren’t to be denied, however, and within five minutes had equalised again through Amiee Ridgeway.

The second period failed to produce a winner, and the match went into a penalty shoot-out.

After the first 10 penalties the scores were level on 4-4 with both sides missing one each and the tie moved into sudden death.

Unfortunately for Hamilton, the Aberdeen keeper made up for her earlier fumble with a stunning one-handed save from Inglis’ well-struck shot.

The pressure was then on Caroline Harper, but she kept her composure to put Aberdeen through to the second round.

Accies’ next match is at home to newly-promoted Rangers at Wishaw Sports Centre on Sunday, with a 1pm kick-off.

HAMILTON: Fleming, Inglis, Hogg, King, Mia, Templeton, Keys, Riley, McDonald, Fairlie, Crilly.

ACCIES Women fared considerably better the previous Saturday when they routed Kilmarnock 7-1 in their opening Premier League match at Blair Park, Hurlford.

Kilmarnock actually scored first, capitalising on a defensive error early in the match, but Accies equalised in six minutes when a great through-ball by Helen Templeton released Sarah Crilly to smash the ball past the Killie keeper.

Kilmarnock shaved the post with a long-range effort before Hamilton went 2-1 ahead in 20 minutes, following a storming 40-yard run and shot by Susan Fairlie.

Accies grabbed a third just before the interval when Ashley McDonald’s cross was headed in by Sarah Crilly.

In 73 minutes McDonald outstripped the Killie defence before unleashing an unstoppable shot for number four, before Collette Fleming added two more in quick succession.

A well-taken penalty by Samantha McManus rounded off the scoring.

Manager Kevin Murphy said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better result at the beginning of this season’s campaign.

“Although we got off to the worst possible start the girls showed great character to come back from losing that early goal. We stuck to our winning philosophy and in the end came out comfortable winners.”

HAMILTON: E. Fleming, Inglis, Hogg, Lafferty, King, Templeton, Keys, Riley, McDonald, Fairlie, Crilly. Subs: C. Fleming, McManus, McGovern, Harkins, McCann.

HAMILTON’S Under-17s trounced Kilbirnie 19-0 at the weekend. Scorers were Megan Walker (7), Nikki McLachlan (3), Paula Goodwin (4), Lauren Hind (2), Hannah Gilchrist, Ainsley Douglas and Sam Macpherson.

The club’s under-11s took part in a friendly against Prestwick at the Oval, with the younger squad romping home 13-0, and the more experienced squad losing 5-3.

Their next opponents are Glasgow Girls and Kilmarnock at Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds on Sunday, starting at noon. All supporters are welcome.

Hamilton’s under-13s lost 5-2 to their Kilmarnock counterparts.

Sam McMillan, Shannon McGreggor and Suzanne Smith were promoted to the under-13 development squad.

The rest of the under-11 squad had their end of season awards at Hamilton Power League, with Accies defender David Elebert presenting awards.

Niamh Johnston was the Coaches’ Player of the Year, Laura Gallen was Parents’ Player of the Year, and Emma Malavin was Players’ Player of the Year.

Hamilton Accies whites girls under 13s played KSC Thistle on Saturday morning at Hamilton Palace.

The team strolled to a comfortable 11-0 scoreline with Karen Baillie, Hannah O’ keane, Sophie Coghill, Jodie Brannan, Laura Gallan, Beth and Hannah Preston, and Kimberley Black all on the scoresheet.

Anyone interested in any aspect of the club should contact Jim Smith on 07914 817418.