Hamilton Academical v Clyde

Recap

Clyde’s disappointing recent record against Hamilton continued as they fell to a poor defeat at New Douglas Park, in the re-run of the match abandoned due to the near-tragic incident involving Ross McCabe.

Clyde chose to make several changes from their defeat against Airdrie, with Ryan McCann, Steven Masterton and Robert Harris being introduced to the line-up as Clyde changed to a back four.

Clyde started well and had all of the play in the Hamilton half for the first three minutes. Then, similar to the game at the end of last season, Hamilton scored with their first attack. A freekick was played down the line to Offiong and he did superbly to turn both Higgins and McGregor before poking past Cherrie.

Accies took heart from this goal and with two players playing wide in Gilhaney and Winters, they spread the play effectively and pulled the Clyde defenders all over the place. They soon added a second goal, as a deep freekick by Stevenson fell out of a group of players to the unmarked Offiong, who’s bizarre header looped over Cherrie, despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it.

Within 5 minutes Clyde had worked a way back into the game with a superb goal. A freekick was awarded on the corner of the penalty area and Steven Masterton whipped it into the top corner of the net with the Hamilton defence expecting a cross.

Hamilton reacted well however and once again, within just a few minutes, they went 3-1 ahead. Poor defending by Clyde saw Gilhaney get free inside the box and his low left-footed strike fizzed underneath Cherrie into the net.

With halftime looming, the remaining action involved injuries, as two ex-Clyde players, Mark McLaughlin and Gilhaney, left the pitch to be replaced by Marvin Wilson and Paul McLeod.

Clyde came back from 2 goals down in the abandoned game in September and introduced captain Paul McHale for McCann at the start of the second half in a bid to change things. In truth, the second half was a poor affair with Accies choosing to slow the game down and concede plenty of free kicks. The impressive Offiong was denied by Neil McGregor on several occasions as Hamilton hit Clyde on the break and Clyde had to bring on Stephen O’Donnell and Gary Arbuckle, for Ferguson and Harris, in a bid to change things.

Although there was plenty of possession, Clyde carved out just two chances. Firstly, Dougie Imrie chose to try and loop a header over Jellema in the Accies goal, instead of allowing the ball to drop for a volley. Secondly, another powerful freekick by Masterton was well saved by Jellema. In truth, the last ten minutes of the game fizzled out to the inevitable conclusion.

Overall, a disappointing display and only McGregor, Masterton and McHale could be pleased with their displays. The defeat left Accies top of the league and in truth, their performance was the best against Clyde all season.