Accies Ladies crush a sorry Kilmarnock side

Apr 29 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

Hamilton Ladies 14 - 0 Kilmarnock

HAMILTON went into this Scottish Women’s Premier League match needing a win to consolidate their league position and did so in style.

Manager Kevin Murphy said: “I am delighted with the result. Myself and Alan Urquhart posed the players a lot of questions after last week’s match and they certainly answered them with their performance. Everything, from the effort to the communication and general play, was superb.”

Hamilton started well and quickly took control of the game against a young Kilmarnock side who had already suffered a few heavy defeats in the early part of this season.

The first real chance arrived in six minutes when Ashley McDonald played a defence-splitting pass through to Sarah Crilly, who beat the Killie offside trap and squared for Susan Fairlie to score the first of her eight goals.

It took Hamilton another 30 minutes to score their second goal when a powerful header by Kim Keys – making her first start of the season after to injury – fell at the feet of Fairlie, who rounded the goalkeeper to tuck the ball into the net.

Within two minutes, a terrific flowing move down the left between Lauren Emerson and Crilly released McDonald into the box, and her cutback was met by Crilly, who fired low into the net.

With the Killie defence rocking, Hamilton scored three quick goals before half-time, the first a penalty converted by Fairlie to complete her hat-trick.

A lovely through ball by McDonald then led to Fairlie grabbing a fourth before a clever free-kick by captain Lynsey Hogg found an unmarked Nicky Grant, who lashed the ball high into the net for a 6-0 interval lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, a great ball from Crilly was pounced on by Fairlie, who rounded the goalkeeper for her fifth goal and Hamilton’s seventh.

Goals then flowed on a regular basis, with Fairlie bagging another three, and Emerson and Helen Templeton scoring a goal each before substitute Sam McManus fired in a quick double, the first of which was a neat chip over the keeper.

Manager Kevin Murphy added: “I was delighted with Susan Fairlie and I thought she gave the assistant coach of the national squad something to think about.

“That was perfect preparation for next week as we enter a tough round of games against Hibs, Celtic and Inverness. After that we should have nothing to fear and go into those games confident of picking up points.”

Unsurprisingly, Player of the Match was Susan Fairlie. Hamilton’s next match is away to Hibs on Sunday, May 2.

Hamilton: Alexander, King, Lafferty, Hogg, Emerson, Mason, Grant, Keys, McDonald, Fairlie, Crilly. Subs: McManus, Templeton, Fleming, Reilly, Inglis, Fleming.

Under-17 League Cup: Hamilton 3, Kilmarnock 0

Hamilton went into this League Cup section game knowing a win would put them on course for a semi-final meeting with Celtic in May. After having twice defeated Killie earlier in the season, there was cause for optimism but the Ayrshire side dominated in the first half, pushing Hamilton deeper and deeper into defence.

However, Accies counter-attacked, allowing Goodwin to escape and she put an excellent ball across for MacLachlan to finish.

The second half saw Hamilton battle hard to contain Killie’s efforts and a stunning save from McCartney kept them in front.

MacLachlan moved into midfield and her through-ball allowed Brannon to steal in on the blindside before finishing superbly.

Kilmarnock appeared to tire late on and that allowed Toner to scramble in goal number three, via a deflection.

Hamilton coach/manager Jim Erwin said: “This was a good test of character and to keep a clean sheet is always welcome. This will stand us in good stead when we return to Kilmarnock next week, although several players are unavailable.

“Again the youngsters Black and Brannon showed the quality we are developing at the club. I was happy to see Neil and Reynolds defend so well and I felt Mooney made a real impact in containing Killie and closing out the win.

“Captain Bulloch always gives you that bit of class and creativity that is required if you are going to create chances, and again she was superb.”

Hamilton: McCarney, Neil, Macpherson, Gilchrist, Black, Reynolds, Bulloch, McLeary, Brannon, MacLachlan, Goodwin. Subs: Mooney, McIntyre, Burns, Toner, O’Neill, McKee.

l Hamilton Under-13 Reds maintained their lead at the top of the league with a 6-0 win at home to Drongan.

The game started evenly but Hamilton quickly forced three saves from the Drongan keeper before a shot from Carly Duffin took a deflection to put Accies 1-0 ahead.

Hamilton maintained the pressure and Kathleen Toolan scored a second, before Player of the Match Claire Campbell set up Collette D’Ambrogio for the third.

With 10 minutes, remaining great link-up play with Darcy Molley gave Samantha MacMillan the first of her well-deserved hat-trick.