[tab:Match report]
Phil McGhee New Douglas Park
Motherwell found no compassion from their neighbours as a goal in each half gave Hamilton the points at New Douglas Park.
Conversely, with only 12 points to play for the result leaves the Fir Park side needing a couple of ‘snookers’ if they are to escape from the play-off spot.
Facing an Accies side which had gone some time without a win, the ‘Well players knew a win was imperative in their battle to get out of eleventh spot. And the fans who outnumbered the home support were fully aware of the importance of the game – with an impressive display of handheld cards in the club’s colours stretching across the away stand before the kick-off.
However, after a solid first half when they created numerous chances and twice struck the woodwork, ‘Well never looked like recovering from Accies’ second goal early in the second half.
The visitors had an early scare when Josh Law bundled into Dougie Imrie 12 yards in front of goal but referee John Beaton waved away appeals for a penalty.
It took until the tenth minute before a ‘keeper was tested, Michael McGovern diving high to his left to palm away a rising 18 yard drive from Lionel Ainsworth.
Accies opened the scoring after 21 minutes when Jason Scotland dragged the ball between Loius Laing and Anthony Straker at the ‘D’ of the penalty box before drilling his shot low into George Long’s right hand corner.
‘Well came within a whisker of an equaliser three minutes later when Erwin latched onto a McDonald pass at the edge of the box before firing in a shot which skimmed the outside of the post.
Ian Baraclough was then forced into a change, Laing limping off to be replaced by Fraser Kerr.
Before he could settle into his defensive role Accies almost doubled their lead on the half hour mark when Michael Devlin’s looping header came crashing down from the underside of the crossbar.
Two minutes later it was Motherwell’s turn to curse their luck. McDonald superbly picked out Johnson at the corner of the box, who cut inside before lashing his shot beyond the ‘keeper and against the face of the bar.
McDonald was again the provider just before the break when his pass released Erwin but McGovern raced from his line to block the striker’s shot on goal.
That left ‘Well needing a bit more luck and at least a couple of goals in the second half. And the 2,000 fans behind McGovern’s goal were almost cheering the equaliser three minutes after the break when Ainsworth’s in-swinging free kick curled just beyond the ‘keeper’s post.
At the other end Long was tested by Darian MacKinnon’s rising shot. However, Long was beaten again in the 52nd minute when Ali Crawford rifled the ball low into the corner to make it 2-0 and leave Motherwell with a mountain to climb.
On the hour ‘Well made their second change, Dom Thomas coming on for Johnson. He gave a moment of hope when his low shot looked to sneak inside the post but instead rolled into the side netting.
With 17 minutes remaining McDonald made way for John Sutton who grabbed a late double against Accies at Fir Park.
Sutton came close heading an Ainsworth free kick beyond the post, but Well’s night was summed up two minutes from the end when Erwin raced away from the home defence only to play the ball off the advancing ‘keeper.
[tab:As it happened]
Ally Reilly at New Douglas Park
FT | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Hamilton Accies 2 – 0 Motherwell
90′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Four minutes added on.
88′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Another good stop from McGovern, again denying Erwin from a 1v1 situation.
85′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Yellow card for Hasselbaink for time wasting.
83′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
From the free-kick, Sutton’s glancing header goes just past the post.
82′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Lyon booked for hacking down Thomas as he skipped past him.
77′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Sutton inches away from connecting with Thomas’ cross. Would have made the closing stages of the game interesting.
73′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
One last throw of the dice, Sutton on for McDonald.
72′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Devlin booked for time wasting.
68′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Ainsworth’s shot is delfected wide for a corner….Thomas’ strike comes off the side of the post!
66′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Accies sub, Scotland off for Hasselbaink
59′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Motherwell sub, Dom Thomas on for Johnson.
58′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Hamilton Accies sub, Tena off for Lucas
52′ | 2-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Goal – It’s 2-0. Crawford with a powerful low strike from 20 yards into the bottom corner. A lot to do now.
47′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Johnson wins a free-kick, wide on the left…Erwin’s header flashes inches past the post!
45′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Second half is underway. Big performance needed.
HT | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Half time here and it’s Hamilton Accies 1 – 0 Motherwell
44′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Great chance again for Erwin but McGovern does well to save hos low shot with his feet!
32′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Off the bar from Johnson!! Cut in off the right and curled a great effort which was unfortunate not to go in!
31′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Similar chance up the other end but Kerr gets his free header all wrong and nods it well over the bar.
30′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Devlin’s looping header from Crawford’s corner, crashes back off the bar!
28′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Forced change for Motherwell, Kerr coming on for the injured Laing.
24′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Glorious chance for an equaliser but Erwin’s half-volley from McDonald’s lay off skims the post!
21′ | 1-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Goal – Scotland puts Accies ahead, firing past Long from the edge of the box.
14′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Hamilton win their first corner of the game. Crawford takes, Lasley heads clear at front post.
12′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Decent chance there for ‘Well as Ainsworth picked out McDonald who then found Johnson but his cross was gathered.
11′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Chance! Ainsworth’s shot from just inside the box is deflected by Hendrie but McGovern reacts well to make the save.
7′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
Johnson’s cross is block and it goes out for a corner. Headed clear by Scotland.
5′ | 0-0 | #HAFCvMFC
First chance for Accies. Falls awkwardly for Gillespie on the edge of the box and he scuffs his shot just wide.
Kick-Off | #HAFCvMFC
Lasley and Johnson get the game underway. COYW!!
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:
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Hamilton manager Martin Canning:
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[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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