William Hill League One
Links Park
Saturday 18th October, 3PM
Aaron Lynch
FT MONTROSE FC 0-4 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL FC
After a priceless victory over Inverness two weeks ago, Hamilton returned to League One action as they took on Montrose at Links Park.
John Rankin named an unchanged starting XI from the previous league fixture with Ewan Simpson returning to the bench from injury. As for our hosts, they opted for four changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Stenhousemuir 14 days ago.
KICK-OFF
Hamilton started on the front foot and had the ball in the net within eight minutes as Kevin O’Hara played Oli Shaw through on goal, and he finished calmly. However, the officials ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up. Montrose created their first opportunity of the match 10 minutes later as Lewis Gibson tried his luck from range but couldn’t find the accuracy needed to trouble Jamie Smith.
In the 19th minute Hamilton found the breakthrough. Kyle MacDonald found space on the edge of the box and drove the ball superbly into the far corner to give Accies the lead.
Moments later Hamilton had a huge chance to double their advantage as a mix up in the Montrose penalty area saw an opportunity for Oli Shaw but he was unable to divert his shot into the corner.
On the stroke of half time, Montrose almost levelled the match as a cross to the back post found Webster, whose effort forced Jamie Smith into an exceptional save.
SECOND HALF
Hamilton began the second half with intensity and looked to extend their advantage in the 46th minute as Connor Smith fired towards goal from the edge of the box but couldn’t keep his shot from going over the bar.
In the 61st minute Hamilton made it 2-0. Kevin O’Hara’s wicked ball into the box was met by Oli Shaw who powerfully headed past Cameron Gill to double Accies’ advantage. Ten minutes later, Hamilton made it 3-0 as Steven Bradley found space in the box and calmly slotted the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to seal the three points for Accies.
In the 77th minute Ross Clark was shown a straight red card for a shocking challenge on Steven Bradley.
With the game drawing to a close Hamilton added a fourth. Connor Smith’s corner was met by Lee Kilday who volleyed brilliantly into the top corner for his first goal of the season.
An incredible afternoon on the road for Hamilton saw four goals and three points as they remained firmly at the top of League One.
