Accies get their first points of the season with a 1-0 win at Inverness.

Sep 2 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

ANDY GRAHAM made an outstanding debut in defence as Hamilton emerged with a priceless 1-0 win against Inverness – now he hopes he has done enough to stay in the team.

Graham and Simon Mensing were a solid unit in the heart of Hamilton’s makeshift backline, with David Buchanan at left-back snuffing out the threat of Jonny Hayes, while Grant Gillespie was quietly effective at right-back on his first start.

However, Hamilton’s attack was equally effective, especially Dougie Imrie, who hit an early wonder goal to give his defence something to hang on to.

Graham (26), reckons beating Caley proves Accies’ team spirit has not been damaged by the 4-0 hammerings by Aberdeen and Hearts, or the Co-operative Cup defeat at Raith Rovers.

He said: “To make my debut was fantastic and I really enjoyed it.

“We’re short at the back at the moment, with a few key players out, but to come up to Inverness and get a result like that was brilliant for the team and just shows what good team spirit we’ve got.

“I think the first goal is key in any game and the fact that we got it – and it was an absolute screamer – gave us something to defend and hold on to.

“With Rangers being our next game, it was important for us to get off the mark and come away with something, but to take the three points was brilliant.

“I hope I’ve done enough to stay in the team. You hope when you come in that you do enough to keep your place in the team and I’m no different from anybody else, but that’s the manager’s decision.”

Hamilton got off to the best possible start after just 38 seconds when Imrie picked up the ball on the left, cut inside and sent an unstoppable shot into the top corner past the helpless Ryan Esson.

Accies nearly doubled their lead in 26 minutes when a good move ended with Imrie laying the ball off to Marco Paixao but his effort was pushed away by Esson.

Debut striker Nigel Hasselbaink, nephew of Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd, was causing problems with his pace and in 35 minutes Ross Tokely was perhaps fortunate to only be cautioned when he hauled the Dutchman back as he headed towards goal.

Three minutes into the second half, Imrie launched a free-kick into the box from near the right touchline, which was met with a looping header by Mensing that had Esson scrambling, but a soft foul was given.

Hamilton should have doubled their lead in 50 minutes when Hasselbaink burst down the left, played in Marco Paixao, he passed to Flavio Paixao and, rather than go for goal, he played it to the right into the path of Imrie, but the winger blasted over.

Accies went close again in 61 minutes when Kyle Wilkie sent a cross towards Graham, but his header was well saved.

Hasselbaink then had a curling effort well held by Esson before Inverness threatened through Adam Rooney, who was sent clear on the right. He lobbed the ball over outrushing Tomas Cerny but Graham headed clear.

Inverness had a penalty claim waved away late on when sub Shane Sutherland went down under a Graham challenge, but TV replays showed that the ref got it right.

Accies sub Joel Thomas had the last chance of the game in 88 minutes when he won the ball on the right and raced in on goal, but could only find the side-netting.

INVERNESS: Esson, Proctor, Cox, Odhiambo, Duncan, Rooney, Hayes, Munro, Ross (Sutherland, 74), Gillet, McCann (Tokely, 23). Subs (not used): Tuffey, Golabek, Innes, McBain, Sanchez.

Booked: Tokely, Munro.

HAMILTON: Cerny, Gillespie, Mensing, Graham, Buchanan, Wilkie (Skelton, 71), F. Paixao, Imrie, Routledge, M. Paixao (Lyle, 69), Hasselbaink (Thomas, 78). Subs (not used): Murdoch, McDonald, Kirkpatrick, McQueen.

Booked: F. Paixao.

Referee: John McKendrick.

Attendance: 3851.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Simon Mensing – didn’t put a foot wrong in defence and the stand-in captain led by example.