[tab:Match report]
Phil McGhee at New Douglas Park
Motherwell failed to overcome their New Douglas Park hoodoo, narrowly slipping to a 1-0 defeat this afternoon.
A Dougie Imrie goal late in the second half was all that separated the sides in a fairly contested affair, with Motherwell regretting passing up some decent first half chances which would have earned them a point.
Ian Baraclough once again changed his starting line-up bringing in Liam Grimshaw and Theo Robinson for their first league starts. Joe Chalmers and Kieran Kennedy came into the back four at the expense of the injured Stevie Hammell and Louis Laing, who dropped to the bench.
Motherwell created the better of the first half chances, the first of which fell to Robinson after five minutes, but his left foot shot was comfortably held by Michael McGovern. The Accies’ ‘keeper was tested again a minute later when he got he got behind a speculative shot from Jake Taylor.
While Hamilton were more comfortable in possession ‘Well were more threatening and they should have opened the scoring after 11 minutes. Robinson’s head flick sent Lionel Ainsworth down the right and when his cutback found the ex-Doncaster striker around the penalty spot, he should have done better than drill his shot straight at McGovern.
Midway through the half the Fir Parkers were down to 10 men for a few minutes as Kennedy received treatment for a head gash before returning with a Terry Butcher-type bandage.
Motherwell were still busy around the home goal and after chasing Keith Lasley’s cross, Louis Moult set up Ainsworth but he blasted his finish wide of goal.
‘Well almost paid for those missed chances seven minutes from the break when Ali Crawford’s rising shot from 18 yards rebounded from the face of Connor Ripley’s crossbar. Two minutes later Ripley got his body behind Imrie’s angled drive as the half ended pretty evenly.
The ‘Well stopper also made the first save of the second half beating away a thumping 25-yard drive from Antons Kurakins.
A smart move down the ‘Well right found Josh Law bursting into the box and his cross picked out Robinson. After taking a touch his shot looked to be sneaking inside the post until a deflection took it wide.
Three minutes later Accies found the net for the only goal. Gramoz Kurtaj floated a ball in from the left and Imrie climbed above Chalmers to loop his header beyond Ripley and under the bar for the winner.
Five minutes from time ‘Well had a chance for the equaliser when Taylor was grounded a couple of yards outside the box. However, Scott McDonald, who had replaced Lasley 10 minutes earlier, tamely curled the resultant free kick into the Accies wall.
The Steelmen were then denied a possible injury time equaliser for the second week. Moult headed Ripley’s long free kick into the box, but when the ball bounced off Lucas Tagliapietra’s arm, referee Craig Thomson had a good look before waving aside strong appeals for a penalty and with it ‘Well’s last chance of taking a point.
[tab:As it happened]
Ally Reilly at New Douglas Park
FT: Hamilton Accies 1 – 0 Motherwell
92′ | 1-0
Looked like a clear handball by Garcia-Tena inside the box but the ref seemingly didn’t see it!!!
90′ | 1-0
3 minutes added on.
…fired into the wall by McDonald
84′ | 1-0
Free-kick to ‘Well in a promising position…
83′ | 1-0
And an Accies sub, Longridge on for Docherty.
82′ | 1-0
Final Motherwell change, Thomas comes on for Ainsworth
79′ | 1-0
Kurtaj looks to kill the game, cutting in off the left and curling a shot just past the post.
76′ | 1-0
Motherwell sub, Lasley off for McDonald
75′ | 1-0
Good save from Ripley to deny Docherty from 18 yards. Corner to Accies..
74′ | 1-0
McManus is booked for a heavy challenge on Imrie.
71′ | 1-0
Goal – Imrie heads home at the back post to give Accies a 1-0 lead.
68′ | 0-0
Motherwell sub, Johnson on for Robinson
66′ | 0-0
Good play by Accies sets Imrie free. His cutback finds Crawford but Law does enough to put him off and Crawford fires over.
64′ | 0-0
Good goalkeeping there from Ripley as he races off his line and tackles Nade who would have been through on goal.
60′ | 0-0
What a chance! Law gets down the right and picks out Robinson. He shoots but an Accies defender gets a touch on it! Corner.
56′ | 0-0
Docherty booked for blocking a quickly taken free-kick.
54′ | 0-0
Hamilton Accies sub, Morris makes way for Nade.
50′ | 0-0
Close again from Crawford! His shot from distance dips just over the bar…thankfully.
Lasley and Taylor get part two underway. COYW!!!!
Both sides back out and ready to get the second 45 underway….
Half-time whistle blows, Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Motherwell
44’| 0-0
Lasley booked for what Thompson will deem persistent fouling.
42’| 0-0
Law’s cross is headed straight out to Taylor who with some time to spare, can’t get his volley on target from 18 yards.
38’| 0-0
Half-chance there as Imrie cuts in off the right and gets a shot away but it’s a routine stop for Ripley.
36’| 0-0
Close for Accies. Crawford works the ball onto his left foot and sees his strike crash back off the bar!
32’| 0-0
Good spell of Motherwell pressure there. Ends with Ainsworth firing well wide form about 18 yards after he cut in off the left.
26’| 0-0
Crawford bursts from deep, unchallenged, but at the time of shooting, seems off balance and slices high and wide.
22’| 0-0
Another half-decent chance falls Robinson’s way after Lasley finds him on the edge of the box. Hooks his shot over the bar, though
11’| 0-0
Great chance as Ainsworth gets played in down the right and cuts it back to Robinson who shoots straight at McGovern from 12 yards
9’| 0-0
Accies fans on their feet as they think Morris has headed into the net but the ref had blown for a foul on Ripley.
5’| 0-0
First sniff of goal for ‘Well. Robinson gets the break of the ball on the left of the box but his shot is tame and is saved easily.
Kick-off | 0-0
Morris and Docherty get the game underway. COYW!!!
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:
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[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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