Accies Ladies resume their winning ways with a 6-1 rout at Kilmarnock

Aug 12 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON moved up to third place in the Scottish Women’s Premier League with an emphatic win at Kilmarnock on Sunday, but manager Kevin Murphy was unhappy with the performance.

“I am pleased to come away with all three points,” he said, “but felt that our overall play lacked creativity and imagination.

“Credit goes to Kilmarnock, who worked extremely hard throughout the match.”

The game started well with Hamilton in control and dominating the midfield against a very young Kilmarnock team who had managed just one home victory all season.

A few early chances were created before Accies took the lead in 15 minutes when a Lynsey Hogg pass was flicked on by Sam McManus into the path of Helen Templeton, and her cross was met with a looping header by Sarah Crilly that flew past the startled keeper.

Five minutes later a quick break from defence gave Nicky Grant time to play the ball in behind the defence and Crilly set up McManus to volley home Hamilton’s second goal.

Accies extended their lead in 25 minutes when a Templeton cross was headed in by McManus.

And the win was effectively wrapped up in 34 minutes when a Hogg cross was dropped by the Kilmarnock keeper and McManus reacted first to bundle the ball over the line and compete her hat-trick.

The second half started in much the same vein, and Hamilton quickly extended their lead when a good move down the right between Crilly and Templeton allowed the latter to cross for Tasha Anderson, who took a touch before steering the ball in low at the corner.

In 53 minutes Anderson turned provider when, after a driving run into the box, she unleashed a shot that the Kilmarnock keeper could only parry into the path of McManus, who netted her fourth of the game.

With the score at 6-0 the Hamilton coaching staff might have been expecting more goals, but luck would desert Accies for the remainder of the game.

Four times the woodwork was struck and a similar number of shots also whistled just past the wrong side of the post.

Kilmarnock pulled a goal back in the closing stages with a shot from just outside the box that flew into the top right corner.

Manager Murphy said: “We will have to up our game if we want to take anything from our next match against Hibernian, the winner of which can go clear in third place.”

Accies entertain Hibs on Sunday, August 15.

HAMILTON: Fleming, Inglis, Hogg, Emerson, King, Templeton, Mason, Grant, Anderson, McManus, Crilly. Subs: Alexander, Fleming, Lafferty, Fairlie, McDonald.

ON Tuesday, August 3, Hamilton fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Celtic.

However, despite the result manager Kevin Murphy said: “I am proud of how our players responded in the second half.

“We found ourselves 2-0 down just before half-time to one of the top teams in Scotland, but showed tremendous courage and passion to get back into the match.”

The first chance of the game came in eight minutes when a good ball through the middle from Celtic caught the Hamilton defence on the turn, and only a good save from Lee Alexander prevented the opening goal.

But on 35 minutes a poor clearance fell to a Celtic midfielder and her cross was flicked on by Suzanne Grant for Christie Murray to score.

Three minutes later Murray returned the favour to Grant, who hit a low shot into the corner for a 2-0 lead just before half-time.

Hamilton came out fighting in the second half and a well-timed Toni Mason pass released Susan Fairlie, only for her shot to fly agonisingly wide.

With five minutes left Accies pulled a goal back when a fine pass from Helen Templeton found Fairlie, who this time fired high into the net.

Accies had chances to level before the end, but couldn’t convert either.

HAMILTON: Alexander, King, Reilly, Hogg, Emerson, Crilly, Mason, Grant, Templeton, McDonald, Fairlie. Subs: McManus, Fleming, Anderson, Lafferty, Inglis, Bulloch.

HAMILTON Under-17s resumed their winning ways with a comfortable 6-0 win over Kilbirnie in their first game after the summer break.

Brannon opened the scoring after some good interchanges between Gilchrist and Bulloch, and persistent play by MacLachlan afforded Hamilton a 2-0 lead as she showed good composure to finish well.

Goodwin finished from close-range following good play by MacPherson to give Hamilton a 3-0 half-time lead.

Accies were every bit as clinical in the second half with a further three goals.

McInnes notched the fourth, Brannon grabbed her second of the game via a post, and Bulloch rounded-off the scoring.