Hamilton 0-1 Livingston

Monday 26^th December 2011 – Hamilton Academical FC 0-1 Livingston FC

After picking up an important win against strugglers Raith Rovers, the Lions were on the road again, this time to play Hamilton for a fourth time already this season.

Gary Bollan decided to start with Kenny Deuchar upfront for this one with the big striker having impressed in the second half at Starks Park. Keaghan Jacobs was also restored to the starting line-up with David Sinclair having to settle for a place on the bench.

Hamilton started brightly and were unlucky not to take the lead early on. Dougie Imrie’s free kick was headed goal wards by Martin Canning but Simon Mensing couldn’t react quick enough and the ball flew wide. Up the other end, a slack pass from Canning was pounced upon by Mark Fotheringham, who in turn teed up Bobby Barr, but his 20-yard effort was well saved by Alan Combe.

Controversy then ensued as Deuchar had the ball in the net, only to be ruled offside. Keaghan Jacobs beat his man out wide before squaring the ball to Liam Fox who thumped a shot at goal and when Combe parried, Deuchar followed up to head in the rebound. As the away side celebrated, assistant referee Andy Tait raised his flag to signal the offside, much to the dismay of Deuchar.

That close call sparked Hamilton back to life and a poor clearance from Andy McNeil almost gifted the Accies a goal. After racing wide of his goal, his attempted clearance landed at the feet of Gary Fraser and with an open goal 35 yards in front, he tried to drill the ball home but luckily Craig Barr got himself in the way to make the block. As the ball ricocheted away, Dougie Imrie cracked a shot back at goal but Barr again threw himself in front of the ball to stop the danger. Bobby Barr then put Jason Talbot in trouble with a poor pass back and after Jim McAllister dispossessed him, the defender crossed for Ali Crawford but his glancing header was palmed away by McNeil.

The last chance of the half fell for Livi though with Deuchar again coming close. Fotheringham’s ball wide found Bobby Barr and a brilliant ball in from the winger found Deuchar who beat his marker to head the ball towards the corner but Combe done well to get a hand on it and push it wide.

Ex-Livi striker Gordon Smith, who was on-loan to Hamilton from Hearts, should have opened the scoring just after half time. A mix-up between Kyle Jacobs and Maurice Ross allowed Fraser to dink the ball over the defence for Greig Spence and after he beat his man, he squared the ball to the back-post but Smith could only stab the ball off the post at full stretch.

This miss would prove to be costly though as the Lions took the lead. Maurice Ross’ deep cross into the box was controlled by substitute Marc McNulty and knocked wide to Bobby Barr. He only had one thought on his mind and after driving at his marker, he let fly with an unstoppable strike that flew into Combe’s top corner. It was a big goal for Livi who had been under a good spell of Hamilton pressure.

The Accies knew they’d have to react quickly if they were to get anything from the game and they went on to dominate the latter stages. A terrific ball into the box from Imrie found Smith unmarked six yards out but he somehow managed to head over. The Livi defence managed to soak up the remaining pressure and ensured the three points headed back to Livingston.