Hamilton moved seven points clear at the top of the SPFL Development League, with a fine 2-1 win against St. Mirren at New Western Park. The Buddies gave a good account of themselves in the second half, but Accies first half performance and two goals, was enough to see them over the line.

 

With last week’s return of Andy Ryan to the side, Accies now welcomed back defender Michael Devlin after his seven month spell out through injury. Accies went ahead after a great strike from Ryan Tierney, then doubled their advantage just before half time thanks to Steven Boyd.

 

Hamilton’s performance was overshadowed however, when St. Mirren’s Dylan Pooler received a serious injury on the edge of the pitch and had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. Despite this set back, St. Mirren’s performance improved in the second half, and were rewarded with a goal from their Kiwi midfielder, Cameron Howieson.

 

Hamilton almost opened the scoring within fifteen seconds. Andy Ryan intercepted a pass then found himself one on one with the keeper. He attempted to place to the side of Dan Wilkes, but the St. Mirren keeper stood his ground before getting down to make a fine save.

 

Tierney had a shot blocked as it made its way to goal, but didn’t wait long before getting another chance for the visitors. With thirteen minutes played, a great pass to Tierney from midfield was rewarded with a low driven strike into the corner of the goal from fifteen yards.

 

The Buddies waited until just after the half hour mark when they got their first shot on target after Howieson unleashed a powerful shot from twenty yards, but Accies keeper Alan Martin was able to keep his footing and palm over the cross bar.

 

Boyd had been notable by his absence in the early stages of the match. He then made a strong run before bulleting across the face of the goal, it was missed by everyone before Scott McMann hammered close past the post.

 

Boyd then made his presence known as he struck from the edge of the penalty area straight into the top right corner of the goal, with Devlin starting the move with a great ball from the back.

St. Mirren started the second half with a much better performance, Ross Cameron forcing a save from Martin with his fifteen yards strike. Then with forty nine minutes gone, a corner was sent to the near post, and Howieson pulled one back when he nipped in and headed into the Hamilton net.

 

Accies struck back when Boyd’s corner was headed over by Colin Granger and then Danny Redmond sent a great ball forward to Andy Ryan, but he had his shot deflected wide. Ryan went close again, when in front of the St. Mirren net, but an almost certain goal was blocked by a defender's body.

 

It was St Mirren's turn to threaten to Hamilton goal with Howieson having an attempt go near, before Andrew McDonald struck the cross bar with a thunderous twenty five yard shot. Martin then denied St. Mirren once again when Jordan Stewart sent a low cross to the edge of the Hamilton penalty area, and Barry Cuddihy sent inches wide off the post.

 

Tierney then had a great shot saved by Wilkes in the St Mirren goal and showed his class when he caught the ball on the touchline, held off a defender and touched inside for Ross Cunningham, as he raced up the pitch. The midfielder sent the ball to Ryan, who darted one way and the defender the other, but he could only watch as Wilkes saved again.

 

The Buddies finished strongly, Howieson having a twelve yard shot saved by Martin, then sending one close by the post from twenty yards.

 

Despite losing out to the league leaders, St. Mirren remain in a strong position and will be looking to get back to winning ways next week against bottom placed Dundee. Accies too, will being hoping to take all three points at New Douglas Park, where they face Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell.