Challenge Cup
Ross Commercial Stadium
Saturday 6th September, 3PM
Aaron Lynch
FT EAST KILBRIDE FC 2-4 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL FC
Following a goalless draw against Cove Rangers, Hamilton made the short trip to the Ross Commercial Stadium to take on East Kilbride in the South Lanarkshire derby.
John Rankin made just one change to his Accies XI for this afternoon’s match as new signing Zander Hutton replaced Stephen Hendrie at the back. As for our hosts, they opted for one change to the side that beat Forfar Athletic 5-0 at Ross Commercial Stadium seven days ago.
KICK-OFF
Hamilton started the match positively and almost took the lead inside three minutes as Kevin O’Hara unleashed a floating effort from the edge of the box forcing Freddie Owens into a great finger tip save to push it out for a corner. The resulting set piece was met by Lee Kilday who connected with a powerful strike at the back post but was unable to prevent his shot from flying over the bar.
Hamilton were denied a golden opportunity in the 29th minute as Scott Robinson found himself through on goal but was dragged to the ground by Rhys Breen leaving the referee with no choice but to produce a red card.
East Kilbride created their best chance of the half soon after as the ball fell to Nathan Flanagan just left of the Accies box. He attempted to catch out Jamie Smith who was off his line with chipped effort which struck the post.
In the 38th minute Hamilton opened the scoring. One-on-one with the keeper, Oli Shaw opened up his body and finished superbly through Owens’ legs to put Accies ahead in the derby. On the stroke of halftime Hamilton doubled their lead as chaos in the East Kilbride penalty area led to the ball being flashed across the six yard box into the feet of Kevin O’Hara who fired the ball into the net to extend Accies’ advantage
An impressive first half showing saw Hamilton go into the break two goals in front.
SECOND HALF
East Kilbride started the second half well and were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute. John Robertson stepped up to take it and dispatched calmly into the bottom left corner to half the deficit.
15 minutes later Accies restored their two goal advantage as Kevin O’Hara found space on the right hand side and whipped the ball brilliantly into the opposite corner for his second of the afternoon.
In the 81st minute East Kilbride pulled one back through John Robertson who caught the ball sweetly at the edge of the box and finished calmly past Smith into the corner.
Moments later Accies made it 2-4 as Stewart McKinstry darted in behind the East Kilbride defence and fired his shot across goal past Owens to seal the points.
An entertaining South Lanarkshire derby saw four goals and three points in the Challenge Cup for Hamilton.
