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Hamilton Accies 2 v 1 Albion Rovers |  |
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Hamilton Accies 2 v 1 Albion Rovers | |
| Friendly 24th July 2004 |
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Attendance : 585
Scorers ~ Hamilton Accies : Aitken (28), Corcoran (57). Albion Rovers : McLaren (37).
The main talking point before this match, Rovers last outing before the season starts in earnest next Saturday was the newly laid artificial pitch at New Douglas Park. The pitch which cost several hundred thousand pounds seems to play like a decent grass one and didn't cause any problems for the players. Youngster Danny Black made his debut in the Rovers first team and Accies had Fyfe and Tunbridge recently arrived from Australia.
The game started unspectacularly with both teams having weak chances at goal. In 24 minutes Joe Boyle was brought down about 30 yards from the Accies goal, John Bradford stepped up to hit the free-kick low into the assembled wall.
In 28 minutes Accies took the lead when Chris Aitken struck from 25 yards and the ball went in off the post. A couple of minutes later Andy Paterson crossed the ball to Mark Yardley whose header from point-blank range was saved by Accies 'keeper McEwan.
In 37 minutes Rovers were back on level terms. After a long run John Bradford crossed the ball to Graeme McLaren whose quality strike (his first since arriving from East Stirling) gave the 'keeper no chance as the ball went onto the top corner of the home net. Jamie McCaig, brother of John released at the end of last season replaced Jordan Smith who limped off with a hamstring injury.
At half-time last seasons' player of the year Paul McManus replaced John Bradford, Accies brought on Fyfe and Corcoran.
The first action of note in the second period was in 57 minutes when Ian Fyfe had a shot blocked by Chris Fahey which rebounded for Mark Corcoran to head home just off the ground. 10 minutes later Ricky Waddell had his free-kick from 18 yards rattle the Rovers crossbar and rebound to safety.
Paul McManus finished the match in on Accies goal after getting his foot up to a high ball 3 yards out the 'keeper's hand got in the way.
Summary
Perhaps a draw would have been a fairer
reflection of the balance of play. Jordan Smith is expected to be sidelined for
a month which means that Danny Boyle who was due to jet off to Turkey with the
rest of the under 19 team for 3 weeks will have to stay to play in the 1st team.
Hamilton Accies : McEwan, Walker, Waddell, Thomson, Hodge, Tunbridge, Carrigan (Arbuckle 67), Aitken, Convery, Gribben, Blackadder. Unused Subs : Hamilton, Jellema
Albion Rovers : Fahey, Paterson, Stirling, Smith (McCaig 40), Black, Boyle (Selkirk 74), McKenzie, Patrick, Yardley (Watson 65), Bradford (McManus 45), McLaren. Unused Sub : Carr, Douglas.
Referee : Alan Muir
Man of the Match - Graeme McLaren