Clyde v Hamilton Academical

Recap

Clyde opened their 2023/24 Viaplay Cup campaign with defeat after a late collapse meant Hamilton secured the three points at New Douglas Park.

Logan Dunachie, Ross Forbes, Cameron Mulvanny and Josh McCulloch made their starting debuts in a Clyde jersey as new Head Coach Brian McLean named his first line-up.

Clyde had the first opportunity of the match in the third minute. Martin Rennie linked up with Mulvanny, who squared the ball to Euan Cameron in the centre of the box, however his effort was blocked by Smith.

The Bully Wee found themselves under pressure by the visitors with Zanatta’s effort flying wide, before Dunachie intercepted Smith’s shot from the edge of the box. Despite that, the home side opened the scoring in the 16^th minute, courtesy of Liam Scullion. Barry Cuddihy chipped a ball through the Accies defence, where Scullion was on hand to curl an effort beyond Smith.

As the match progressed, action was restrained to the middle of the park with neither side seriously testing the ‘keeper. Having said that, Clyde came close to doubling their lead in the 30^th minute. McCulloch flicked the ball to Cuddihy on the edge of the box, who fired a long-arching effort which rolled past the post. Mulvanny was next to try his luck two minutes later, but Smith was on alert to clear the danger.

Meanwhile, Accies, who enjoyed the majority of possession, were defiant in attempting to revert the match back to level terms. Barjonas knocked the ball through to Martin in the 38^th minute, only for his effort to sail over the bar. Smith’s shot from inside the box was saved by Parry, whilst Zanatta also saw his effort fly over the target as The Bully Wee went into the break with a slender advantage.

The action was contained within Clyde’s six-yard box after the restart with Parry crouching low to divert Smith’s shot from the left-hand side, before Martin’s effort struck off the side netting. At the other end on the hour mark, Dunachie connected onto Forbes’ corner to direct a towering header at goal, but Smith leapt up to make the necessary save.

Hamilton eventually broke the hosts’ resilience with the equaliser in the 64^th minute. A cross from the left-hand side bounced into the box and Winter reacted the quickest to bundle the ball into the net from the back post. Kilday found the back of the net in the 73^rd minute for the visitors, however it was ruled offside.

As the match entered the final 15 minutes, The Bully Wee were struggling to push bodies up the park as the visitors were continuously swarming around their half in search of an elusive second goal. Martin dinked the ball to Tumilty, who sliced a long ball through the box, which Parry collected with ease.

With two minutes of normal time remaining the visitors hauled themselves in front. Hendrie fizzed in a cross from the left, which allowed McGlynn to snatch a light touch, directing the ball into the net. The Bully Wee were yet again unable to clear their lines as Accies sealed their victory in the second minute of injury time. One was adequately positioned inside the box to knock a pass to Martin, who rifled the ball past Parry.