Hamilton Accies women secure cup win over Forfar

Feb 25 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Accies progressed to the second round of the Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup with a 3-0 win over Forfar at the Jock Stein pitches last Sunday.

Accies opened their new season well and dominated the game for long spells to thoroughly deserve setting up an away tie against Inverness this weekend.

Delighted manager Kevin Murphy said: “To win our first competitive match of the season in the manner in which we did was extremely pleasing.

“Throughout the whole game, the players’ workrate was phenomenal.”

Accies threatened from the first whistle and their patient play paid off after 20 minutes when a great ball down the wing by Jen King allowed Ashley McDonald to race in on the Forfar goal.

The Accies ace couldn’t beat the Forfar keeper with her shot but the rebound fell to Nicky Grant and she squared for Sarah Crilly to fire in the opener.

The home side cranked up the pressure and it was no surprise the lead was extended.

Debutant Toni Mason latched on to a sliced clearance from the Forfar keeper to play in Susan Fairlie, who drilled the ball low into the net via the inside of the post.

As half-time approached a defensive slip allowed Forfar to make a rare foray into the box, but a good block by King and solid take from Accies’ new goalkeeper Lee Alexander prevented any real danger.

Accies continued their dominance in the second half and killed the game off on 70 minutes.

Lynsey Hogg’s long ball out of defence caught the Forfar defence flat-footed, allowing Crilly to nip in behind the visiting backline and neatly lob the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Crilly’s brace and performance fully justified her inclusion in the Scottish Women’s Under-19 squad – along with goalkeeper Alexander – for the friendly with Switzerland at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling this Friday.

HAMILTON: Alexander, Murray, Lafferty, Hogg, King, Mason, Grant, Reilly, McDonald, Fairlie, Crilly. Subs: McManus, Templeton, Anderson, Donnachie, Emerson.

lACCIES’ Scottish Women’s Premier League team have announced a partnership with Alba Military Fitness.

Cammy MacLeod of Alba Military Fitness kindly donated £250 for training footballs and bibs as well as a free military-style fitness session for the players.

Manager Kevin Murphy said: “The club are grateful to Alba Military Fitness for all their support, both financially and otherwise.”