1. Footymad
  2. 'Well Mad
  3. Latest
  4. Match Reports

Hamilton Saves the Blushes

Last updated : 06 August 2005 By Firparkcorner

Graeme Smith
We have seen it all before – the opposition shoot themselves in the foot with well over an hour to play by conceding a needless red card. Then our flow and shape seems to disappear and the momentum gained in the first twenty minutes disappears. But it will be recorded as a three point afternoon and regardless of the manner of the victory, we remain unbeaten after the first two games of the season.

McDonald, Leitch and Marshall were crocked and so Graeme Smith was awarded his debut and Clarkson and Kerr also had starting spots.


Andy Smith
We had a very impressive start, sparked off with an impressive move featuring Kerr and Hamilton leading to a blocked shot from Clarkson. It was followed by a ten minute spell when we camped in the Dunfermline half. We had composed passing moves and probed cautiously for openings. Paterson produced a fine cross for a Kerr effort after the usual stepover an in twenty two minutes Hamilton should have open the scoring when he has a clear shot from ten yards but he fired straight at the keeper.


A minute later the Pars were reduced to ten men after Wilson lost the plot. He fouled McCormack and followed his foul with a head butt. The referee had no option but to send him for the early bath.


Dunfermline, quite rightly, packed their defence and started a ‘go slow’. The referee’s only counter to the tactic was to add three minutes of added time at the end of the second half.

The new keeper had little chance to impress but he dealt comfortably with a dangerous dead ball which was targeted to his top right corner. A clean sheet and a win bonus will make his SPL debut a fond memory in years to come.


The second half grew into a frustrating pattern. We had almost all the possession and Smith was a spectator. The Dunfermline defence dealt easily with our lack lustre attack. On the hour Terry started to make some changes. Andy Smith replaced Clarkson, Foran came on for Paterson and later on Fagan replaced Kerr.

Both Foran and Smith attempted to fire up the attack with a bit of pace. Foran was effective at winning crossed balls. The clock moved remorselessly on to ninety minutes and many in the home stands expected Dunfermline to sneak one on the breakaway.


The referee added three minutes and most of that had gone when we got the winner. Foran headed across the goal, Smith returned another header which gave McCormack a shot. The ball came off Halliwell and Hamilton was able to bundle it over the line from a couple of yards.

The celebration was tinged with more than a bit of relief but we move on to four points after two games. A trip to Rugby Park beckons next week. Let’s hope that Skippy has recovered!