Accies Ladies suffer 2-0 defeat to Hibs

Nov 5 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

ACCIES Ladies lost 2-0 to Hibs in Sunday’s Scottish Women’s Premier League match, played at the Edinburgh club’s new Tranent facility.

Despite near-monsoon conditions, both sides saved up a tremendous match.

Manager Kevin Murphy said: “I cannot fault any of my players today for effort and commitment. They gave absolutely everything out there and we were unfortunate to go home without anything to show for it.

“The conditions were always going to make it extremely difficult but I thought we adapted well.

“At the interval, with the scores level, I really thought we could use that as a platform to go out and win the game.

“We created at least three gilt-edged chances but failed to convert any of them.

“This proved costly in the end as Hibernian had only two shots in the second half and scored with both.”

Hibs settled faster in the early stages and began to take control of the midfield but without making inroads towards the Accies goal.

It took Accies 20 minutes to exert pressure and only a good block by the Hibs defence kept the score blank.

The game opened up but both sides missed chances.

Accies passed up the best opportunity of the half when Gill Inglis went on a good run only to see but her shot well saved.

Seven minutes into the second half, Hibs opened the scoring following a defensive mix-up.

This sparked Accies into life and they created several chances but none of the strikers was able to convert the pressure into goals.

When a terrific pass from Katie Reilly released Ashley McDonald, she could only find the side-netting.

This proved costly when Hibs drove forward and a sweeping move was finished well when a striker bundled the ball home.

Despite this setback, Accies battled to the end but couldn’t find a way through a stubborn defence.

Murphy added: “Scoring goals is what wins you games but we are missing two key strikers at the moment, which was a major factor in the outcome of this game.

“Overall I am pleased with the effort and attitude of all the players and do not see any reason why we can’t take maximum points from our last two games with performances like those.”

Hamilton: Fleming, King, Hogg, Lafferty, McGovern, Inglis, Reilly, Murray, McDonald, Grant, McManus. Subs: Templeton, Thomson, Makarainen, Donnachie.

A waterlogged pitch kept Hamilton’s Divisional team out of action at the weekend.

Hamilton’s under-17 side enjoyed a 4-2 derby win at East Kilbride in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

The hosts proved to be tough opposition and caught Accies cold early on.

However, the lead was short-lived as Megan Walker burst through the defence to grab a quick-fire double.

Following good work from Nikki Burns, a superb piece of individual skill by Nikki McLachlan saw her loop an unstoppable effort past the keeper for a 3-1 lead.

East Kilbride proved they’re no pushovers, however, and grabbed a goal back before half-time.

The tempo of Accies’ play lulled somewhat in the second half but when EK struck the post it served as a wake-up call.

Paula Goodwin cheekily lobbed the goalkeeper to seal the win and the points.

Coach/manager Jim Erwin said: “The girls knew they had to be up for this derby and it being a cup quarter-final made it all that more special.”

Hamilton face Kilwinning at Wishaw Sports Centre in Sunday’s League Cup semi-final, starting at 1pm.

Hamilton’s under-15s bounced back to grab a 2-2 draw against newly-crowned league champions Celtic at Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds.

Accies started well and pressed Celtic back in the opening 10 minutes but without creating any clear-cut chances.

Celtic edged their way into the game and forced Lauren Hinde into making some fine saves.

Excellent play by both ‘keepers meant the first half finished 0-0.

Five minutes into the second hal,f Celtic took the lead through an own goal by Ainsley Douglas.

A desperate challenge by a Hamilton player resulted in a penalty and the Glasgow side went 2-0 up.

With 15 minutes remaining, a rash challenge in the Celtic box saw Hamilton awarded a penalty and Douglas converted to cut the deficit.

Accies continued to dominate and with five minutes left Louise McKee outpaced the defence, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball home to level.

This result will give Accies confidence ahead of next week’s League Cup semi-final against the same opposition at Hamilton.

Hamilton’s under-11s routed near-neighbours East Kilbride 7-2, despite very difficult conditions.

Accies went in 2-1 ahead at half-time through goals from Sam McMillan and Suzanne Smith.

McMillan completed her hat-trick in the second half before East Kilbride pulled a goal back.

But Accies continued to dominate, scoring three more goals through McMillan, Darcy Molley and Abbie Millar to run out comfortable winners.

Player of the match was Suzanne Smith.