From The Other Side

Hamilton Accies striker Richard Offiong talked exclusively to Craig Anderson for www.clydefc.co.uk this week ahead of Saturday’s First Division match at Broadwood…

Clyde v Hamilton Accies (11/8/2007)

THERE are a couple of old faces returning to Broadwood this weekend – but there will be no room for sentimentality when Hamilton visits. Former Bully Wee boss Billy Reid and goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell will need no introduction, with the

small matter of three points to be settled.

Hamilton are coming to Cumbernauld on the back of two wins over Dunfermline in the league last week and a 2-1 CIS Insurance Cup victory over Third Division East Stirling on Tuesday. And Accies striker Richard Offiong, who has scored in both matches, can’t wait to get playing again.

Offiong said: “After missing most of pre-season through injury, I just can’t wait to get on the field again and it feels as though the games aren’t coming quick enough. It’s hard to say how the game itself will go as both sides are just finding their feet in the new season, but my experience of Clyde in the past has always been a hard game.

“We’ve won two games this week, but it’s important we don’t dwell on that and we should focus on the job in hand in trying to get another three points. The league as a whole will be difficult this year and I think there’s a lot of good quality in all the squads so I think the fans could enjoy some excellent games.”

‘Dicky’ has come into form ahead of this Saturday’s match after netting in the midweek win over East Stirling, making it two goals in two games. But he doesn’t expect an easy shift when he comes to Broadwood and expects as tough a game as he has had in the past. He added: “Clyde will give their all though and having lost their two games, they won’t make life very easy for us on the day. From playing them last season, they are a much organised side it will be very difficult to break them down.

“Colin Hendry coming in won’t change that at all and I think the way they’ll play will reflect the way Hendry himself played, very tough and full of quality. Down the wings will be a key area and we’ve got a couple of wingers who I think will be looking to exploit some space down the flanks. Overall though I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be the sort of game where everyone has to roll up their sleeves.”

Hamilton will look to increase their winning run this season and with Clyde having lost their opening two matches, the contrast in confidence could be the key. Accies though haven t won at Broadwood in almost two and half years and manager Hendry will want to preserve that record even further.

Three wins in 11 visits to Cumbernauld is all the Accies have to show for their trips to Broadwood, which Billy Reid will want to improve on. In fact, Billy’s record as Hamilton manager against Clyde makes interesting reading, with only two wins over two seasons in charge at New Douglas Park. However as Clyde manager he managed three wins out of four over the Lanarkshire side in his only season in charge.

As for the team, following a heroic display against Dunfermline last week, they stuttered a little against East Stirling in the CIS Cup, despite winning 2-1. Anyone at the game would have seen Accies rack up the chances in the first half, with only Richard Offiong’s goal to show for it by half-time. But sub Paul McLeod saved their blushes with a late winner after Shire’s Kevin McBride levelled from the spot.

Nevertheless it left Billy Reid content that his side have won two out of two and looking ahead to a possible third, but Colin Hendry might have something to say about that.

Craig Anderson