Walkover win but Accies still crash out
Hamilton Accies were awarded a walkover win on Saturday after Betfred Cup opponents Albion Rovers were forced to forfeit the tie due to Covid-19.
The sides were due to meet at New Douglas Park in Group F, but the clash was cancelled with Leaguetwo Rovers unable to field a team due to two players displaying Covid symptoms and one returning a positive test ahead of the game.
Accies were awarded a 3-0 victory as a result, but it couldn’t stop them crashing out of the competition before th e last 16 after a shock 2-1 defeat to Leaguetwo Stranraer the previous midweek.
Following the announcement that the game was off, a SPFL statement read:“the SPFL Board has awarded a 3-0 win to Hamilton Academical in the Betfred Cup tie between Hamilton Academical and Albion Rovers, after Albion Rovers informed the SPFL that they will not fulfil the fixture.
“Albion Rovers informed the SPFL today that two players have reported symptoms of COVID-19.
“This followed one Albion Rovers player testing positive for COVID-19 in advance of the match. All three players are now self-isolating.
“Albion Rovers are liaising with the Scottish FA andtest and Protect to establish whether any other players or staff will need to self-isolate.
“As that process is currently ongoing, the club has informed the SPFL that they will be unable to fulfil the fixture.
“Consistent with the announcements in respect of the Dundee v Forfar Athletic and Falkirk v Kilmarnock matches, any team unable or unwilling to field a team in a Betfred Cup Round 1 group stage tie, will forfeit the match on the basis of a 3-0 defeat.
“Accordingly, Hamilton Academical have been awarded a 3-0 win in the tie.
“We wish the affected players the very best in their recovery and will continue to liaise with Albion Rovers in the coming days.”
Hamilton finished fourth in their five-team Betfred Cup group on six points, while Ayr United – the only side Accies beat in a match – topped the group on eight points, qualifying for a last 16 tie against Livingston.