Hamilton girls throw away three-goal lead

Sep 10 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Accies were forced to settle for a point from their Scottish Women’s Premier League encounter at Aberdeen after throwing away a 3-0 lead.

Manager Kevin Murphy said after the game: “To go to Aberdeen and play the way we did was fantastic. We took the game to them from the first minute and dictated the play.

“At 3-0 up, you expect the girls to see the game out but individual errors are costing us games.”

Hamilton dominated early play and forced two quick corners, but despite the return of influential midfielder Nicki Grant after a two-year absence due to cruciate ligament damage, they failed to threaten the Aberdeen goal.

However, their patience finally paid off in 34 minutes when a slack passback let Sarah Crilly nip in ahead of the goalkeeper to slip the ball into the empty net.

Accies stepped up the pressure and scored a second goal just before the interval. A good move down the left opened up the Aberdeen defence and provided Susan Fairlie with space to turn and fire past the home goalkeeper.

Just minutes into the second half, Accies grabbed their third when Crilly released Fairlie with a delightful through-ball, allowing her to turn past a defender before slamming the ball into the bottom right corner.

But, as had happened when the teams met a few weeks ago, Accies let Aberdeen back into the game.

In 62 minutes, slack defending allowed the ball to run across the six-yard box, presenting striker Chloe Fitzpatrick with a gift she wasn’t going to pass up.

Aberdeen stepped up the pressure after that and in 75 minutes, when Accies failed to clear their lines, Fitzpatrick grabbed her second of the game.

With Accies’ confidence running low, Aberdeen struck again to level with five minutes remaining.

Manager Murphy added: “We are a young team and have improved considerably from last season but our inexperience to see out games is our biggest downfall.

“Before the game, a draw away to Aberdeen would have been considered a good result, but heading back down the road it seemed more like a defeat.”

Due to international commitments Accies now have a few weeks off, which they will hope to put to good use on the training field.

l Hamilton Accies Under-13 Reds worked hard on Saturday to record a fine 5-0 win at Dumfries.

Displaying determination and resilience, Accies dominated from kick-off, playing some good football.

Chantelle Brown drove a powerful low shot past the Dumfries keeper to open the scoring but although Hamilton kept up the pressure they were unable to add to their tally before half-time.

Accies dominadted the second half, with Shauna Flynn grabbing a hat-trick before a late strike by Jennifer Barbour rounded off the scoring.

Hamilton’s under-11s were taught a harsh lesson by a physically bigger and stronger Glasgow side as the city side ran out comfortable 7-1 winners.

Despite being 3-0 down at the interval, Accies came out fighting but without making a breakthrough. Once Glasgow settled, they added another two goals.

Hamilton didn’t give up and grabbed a consolation goal when Lauren Conner split the Glasgow defence before going on to score. However, Glasgow added another two goals as Hamilton began to tire.

Hamilton’s player of the match award went to scorer Lauren Conner.