Clash with Saints is now a big must-win says Scott
Martin hopes Accies can go on a run up the table
Livingston ..................... 1 Hamilton ...................... 0 Midfielder Scott Martin admitted Saturday’s clash at home to St Mirren is a ‘must-win’ after Hamilton crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Livingston.
Steven Lawless’s third-minute wonderstrike was enough to keep the three points in West Lothian as Livi ran out deserved winners.
Martin, who was one of three new faces who were pitched in for their debuts, says that just elevates the importance of Saturday’s clash at the HOPECBD Stadium. The 21-year-old said: “We knew what to expect from Livingston, they’re good at what they do, they stuck to their game-plan and it was a bit of a shift out there.
“The one thing that separated it was a wonder-goal, in the second half. I felt we were the better side – just – and Livi were probably the better side in the first half.
“I thought it was a really even game, it was a bit of a battle, but Livi have taken the three points.
“It was one of those days when you’re doing so well in the middle of the park and in defence ,and up front it just didn’t happen.
“It was one of those games that you can’t fault anybody in the team, everybody gave 100 per cent and I think that’s all you can ask sometimes.”
Looking ahead to the visit of Oran Kearney’s men, Martin said: “We need to go this week, get our heads down and get three points.
“It’s a massive game; that result turns it into one of those ones where we must win.
“Hopefully we can pick up the three points and that’s us on a wee run.”
This wasn’t a game that will live long in the memory.
Both sides started nervously as they tried to get into a rhythm, but Livingston took their chance when it came after just three minutes.
Keaghan Jacobs’s free kick from wide on the left was knocked back out of the Accies box comfortably enough, but Lawless met it with a searing 20-yard drive that swerved mightily before rattling into the top left corner past helpless Gary Woods.
It was a goal worthy of winning any game, and sent Livi into joint second place in the Premiership table, while Hamilton tumbled down to second-bottom.
Livingston deserved the win, I doubt anybody would argue otherwise, but Hamilton must simply find a way of improving their performances, or it will be a long, hard season.
The worry for their supporters will be, with so many new players coming in over the summer, how long will it take before manager Martin Canning identifies his strongest XI.
Scott Martin certainly didn’t do his chances any harm with a solid performance, as did defender Matthew Kilgallon.
Fredrik Brustad huffed and puffed, and didn’t do anything wrong, but the Norwegian was part of an ineffectual, powder-puff forward line that barely got close to Liam Kelly’s goal.
Surprisingly, Aaron Mcgowan dropped down to the bench alongside Tom Taiwo, Steven Boyd and Shaun Want, the latter of whom was a sub in favour of Lenny Sowah, who to be fair had a decent game.
Gary Holt kept faith with the side that beat Hibs in their last outing, and that came as no surprise.
Hamilton started poorly and were given a double let-off in 12 minutes when Sowah played the ball straight to Scott Robinson, then appeared to push him over in the box as he bore down on goal.
Referee Alan Muir thought about it, and looked to his linesman, before waving play on.
Livi went close again on the half-hour when Declan Gallagher’s cross from the right was headed narrowly past the near post by Lawless.
Dolly Menga had a go with a chip from the left flank in 39 minutes, but got his angles all wrong and it eventually drifted out for a throw-in on the far side. That makes it sound a lot less close than it was, though.
Livi went close to doubling their lead in 47 minutes when Jacobs’s free kick was headed off the left post by Scott Pitman, but Woods was able to clear it, with the aid of some defenders.
That was pretty much it; Hamilton tried to get back into the game, but rarely looked like scoring, while Livi were content to sit on their lead and counter-attack.
They did go close again in 88 minutes when Pitman reached the left bye-line, but his cut-back was cleared by Martin before it could cause havoc.
Martin hopes he has done enough to stay in the team and said: “I’m really pleased. Hopefully I can stay there as long as I can. I know there will be people chapping at the door, but I need to thank the gaffer for putting me in there straight away.”