Hamilton's promising win over Hibs wasn’t enough to beat the drop

May 12 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

WHATEVER division Hamilton end up in when the dust settles on Saturday afternoon their fans were finally given something to shout about with a good home win over Hibs.

Accies’ only home league win so far and the first back-to-back triumph of a frustrating season opened the possibility of a great escape.

Really, regardless of events, Accies should be lauded for a good performance against Colin Calderwood’s men and this win shouldn’t be overshadowed.

This was a thoroughly deserved win and could have been by a larger margin, but for some poor finishing by Accies and good goalkeeping by Czech keeper Jakub Divis.

Having said that, Hibs had the better of the early play and in five minutes Akpo Sodje sent a shot on the turn fizzing past the right post.

Seconds later Ricardo Vaz Te mugged Mark McLaughlin on the right and made his way to the bye line before cutting back for Liam Miller, but the former Celtic man somehow shot wide.

Hamilton seriously threatened for the first time in 25 minutes when Imrie’s 25-yard free-kick was brilliantly clawed out from the bottom right corner by Divis.

Imrie was in the mood and in 30 minutes he sent another dangerous delivery into the box.

James Chambers enjoyed another good afternoon and in 31 minutes his cross from the left was met on the half-volley by Imrie, but Divis saved.

Hibs were given a major let-off by referee Mike Tumilty when Imrie was sent down the right only to be blatantly fouled by Paul Hanlon – a straight red card was the obvious outcome, but the whistler didn’t even award a free-kick.

Hamilton took the lead in 38 minutes when Imrie’s cross from the right was knocked down by Gary McDonald for Nigel Hasselbaink, whose low shot on the turn squirmed underneath Divis.

Francis Dickoh had been booked for a crude challenge on Imrie in 18 minutes and the Hibs man was sent packing on 43 for a scything challenge on Hasselbaink.

Accies started the second half well and in 51 minutes Chambers and David Buchanan combined to set up Ali Crawford, but the youngster saw a fierce shot punched into the air by Divis before the ball was cleared.

Vaz Te was causing problems and in 53 minutes he set up Sodje, but he shot just past.

Referee Tumilty had a decision to make when Vaz Te went down under a challenge by goalkeeper Tomas Cerny and decided a yellow card was in order for the Hibs star – TV evidence backing the whistler.

Hibs nearly levelled in 59 minutes when Miller outmuscled McDonald 25 yards out and sent Sodje through on goal, with only a stunning tackle from McLaughlin saving the day.

Accies hit the woodwork on 65 minutes when Imrie broke down the right, found Hasselbaink in the centre and he passed to his left to pick out Crawford, with the youngster unlucky to see a chip crash off the crossbar.

Hasselbaink showed strength to hold off a defender before curing a low shot just past the left post in 67 minutes.

Crawford had another chance in 73 minutes, as he raced in from the left to latch onto Imrie’s through-ball, but Divis was off his line to block well.

Hamilton should have stretched their lead with six minutes left when further good work by Imrie set up Carrington, but he blazed over from 16 yards.

Imrie and Crawford combined again three minutes into stoppage time, with the youngster seeing a good effort brilliantly punched over by Divis.

HAMILTON: Cerny, Buchanan, Mensing, McLaughlin, Gillespie (Carrington, 82), McDonald, Chambers (Kilday, 75), Crawford, Imrie, Hasselbaink (Antoine-Curier, 70), McAlister. Subs (not used): Murdoch, Ryan, McGlinchey, Elliott.

HIBS: Divis, Wotherspoon, Palsson (Towell, 66), Dickoh, Hanlon, Stephens, Booth, Miller, Stevenson (Taggart, 66), Vaz Te (Riordan, 74), Sodje. Subs (not used): Brown, Scott, Duffy, Horner.

Sent off: Dickoh.

Booked: Vaz Te.

Referee: Mike Tumilty.

Attendance: 2300.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Dougie Imrie – was behind everything positive that Hamilton created, but only just pipped Ali Crawford, who is starting to really look the part.