Crucial win for Hamilton Accies Ladies

Nov 12 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON secured a decent finish in the SWPL with a hard-fought win at Dundee United.

The victory ensures Accies will finish no lower than sixth in the table at the end of this shortened season.

Coach Alan Urquhart took charge as manager Kevin Murphy was attending an SFA coaching seminar.

He said: “This was a good result achieved in poor conditions.

“The referee had serious doubts about the game starting, due to the state of the pitch after heavy overnight rain in Dundee.

“The aim at the start of the match was to get the three points that would ensure we remained above Dundee United.”

Accies dominated from kick-off, putting pressure on the home defence and went close with a few early chances, including a free-kick from Lynsey Hogg that was volleyed over by Ashley McDonald.

Hamilton took the lead in 22 minutes when a tremendous piece of defensive play by Jen King gave her room to send a searching ball down the line. Susan Fairlie flicked it into the path of McDonald and she darted past the defence to round the goalkeeper and score.

McDonald passed up a chance to double her tally shortly afterwards following good play by Gill Inglis and Laura Murray, her shot going just wide at the back post.

Just before half-time, United made Accies pay for the missed chances when Cheryl McCulloch knocked in a corner to equalise.

Hamilton started the second half on the attack and in 48 minutes a long ball out of defence by Hogg caught the home defence flat-footed, leaving Fairlie to outpace her marker and finished with a tidy shot into the bottom corner.

In the last 20 minutes, United threw everything they had at Hamilton, but the visitors held out thanks to a stunning save from Elaine Fleming with just 10 minutes left.

Coach Urquhart added: “We like to showcase our expansive attacking style as often as possible and although we had large periods of the game when we managed this, credit must go to United, who stuck to their task and didn’t allow us to add to our two goals.

“The result sets us up well for the next game, which will be our last of this shortened season.”

Hamilton: Fleming, Thomson, Hogg, Lafferty, King, Inglis, Keys, Murray, McDonald, Grant, Fairlie. Subs (not used): Templeton, Makarainen, McManus, Fleming, Graham, Donnachie.

Under-17 League Cup semi-final: Hamilton Accies 10, Kilwinning 2

Hamilton marched through to the League Cup Final in emphatic style after crushing Kilwinning.

Donning their orange away kit, sponsored by the University of the West of Scotland, Accies simply blew away their Ayrshire rivals.

Accies were 4-0 in front at half-time and, despite conceding two late goals, continued to pour forward.

Maclachlan opened the scoring following a fine passing move involving Bulloch, Rolph and Macbrearty.

Walker grabbed a first-half hat-trick with assists from Macleery and Macbrearty.

Another hat-trick in the second half from Walker took her tally to six, with assists from McLeery and Douglas. Macpherson grabbed a brace, and McLeery wrapped up the win.

Player of the match was Amy Bulloch, who receives two Odeon cinema tickets.

Coach Jim Erwin said: “Semi-finals can often be a poor affair. However, I felt we showed our class in spells.

“We used the pitch well and it’s nice to be back in the Cup Final.

“Again our possession philosophy paid dividends and we are working hard in training, on our movement and to pass the ball faster, as quite often that extra touch is the difference.

“I hope this gives us the confidence to go on and lift the trophy that we agonisingly lost on penalties last year to Celtic.”

The 2009 League Cup Final between Kilmarnock and Hamilton takes place at Toryglen Regional Football Centre on Saturday, at 3pm.

Admission costs £3 for adults (£1.50 concessions) and is free to those who are under 16.