I’M THE MAN TO BLAME
Robinson holds hands up after high-flying Steelmen crash to shock defeat against Hamilton
It’s a kick in the backside and there are lessons for everyone, me included
MOTHERWELL boss Stephen Robinson last night took the blame for the shock home derby defeat which saw Lanarkshire rivals and perennial relegation favourites Hamilton move five points clear of bottom club Hearts.
But he hoped his players will use the setback to refocus and get back on track after winning more Premiership points than anyone in 2019 outside the Old Firm.
Chris Long had put the high-flying Steelmen in front after just five minutes, yet they were rocked by a storming second-half comeback from Accies, with goals from Aaron McGowan and David Moyo.
Motherwell remain in third place, now only a point ahead of Aberdeen, but were jeered by home fans as they made their way off the pitch.
‘I know how it all went wrong,’ said the Fir Park boss (pictured below). ‘We started well for the first 20 minutes or so and then it was as if it seemed it was all too easy for us.
‘The lesson in football is that if you think you’ve made it, and you stop doing the simple things, you lose matches.
‘We didn’t win a header all day and, full credit to Accies, they won every second ball. I changed things to try to give us some more height but it didn’t work, so I take full responsibility.
‘I picked the team and set it up but we need to keep things in perspective — it’s a blip and a kick in the backside, which perhaps we needed. There are lessons for everyone, me included.’
Robinson’s Accies counterpart Brian Rice, by contrast, was elated by his team’s display. ‘I don’t usually boast about my players but they were brilliant today, the best they’ve been since I’ve been here,’ he said.
‘I’m absolutely thrilled for the boys and I don’t think anyone could complain about the outcome. The first 20 minutes Motherwell were on top, but after that, there was only one team going to win the game.’
This was the kind of result which makes bookmakers rich, but no-one could deny Hamilton deserved it. They hadn’t won away from home in the league for over seven months but this was the result their long-suffering fans craved most of all.
Motherwell made two changes to the starting XI who beat Ross County 2-1 in Dingwall on Boxing Day, Bevis Mugabi coming in for captain Peter Hartley and Long replacing Sherwin Seedorf, while Rice kept faith with the players who lost 1-0 at home to St Johnstone.
The home side were first to threaten but Liam Polworth’s netbound volley was deflected for a corner.
Moyo then shot straight at Mark Gillespie from eight yards after referee John Beaton failed to spot Mickel Miller’s hand ball during the build-up.
The Steelmen took an early lead when Jermaine Hylton found Long in acres of space in the penalty area. His raking drive beat Luke Southwood inside the goalkeeper’s left-hand post.
Hamilton’s Scott Martin collected a yellow card when he clattered into full-back Liam Grimshaw in true demolition derby fashion.
Long was inches away from adding a second in the 18th minute when he raced on to a punt from Mark O’Hara and shot from 18 yards, only just missing the target. Polworth came close again with a shot from distance while Hylton’s glancing header from six yards found the side netting. Motherwell looked the likelier to score again, but as long as the deficit remained at one goal, there was hope for the visitors. Indeed, they appeared revitalised after half-time and enjoyed their best spell just after the interval. They had a penalty claim rejected when Declan Gallagher leaned on Miller, who then missed with a 20-yard effort. Home keeper Mark Gillespie then kept his side level, saving another Moyo effort. Accies got the equaliser their pressure deserved in the 68th minute. Scott McMann’s deep cross was helped on by Moyo and McGowan’s shot from 15 yards beat Gillespie. McGowan then turned provider for the winner, his delivery finding Moyo at the far post where he headed home. Motherwell had been outplayed and outfought
during the second half, an outcome which nobody — save maybe Rice and his side — had seen coming.
The Steelmen had won five of their previous six matches, while Accies had won only two of their previous 19 and yet, by time up here, they could have been further ahead.
Robinson may seek funds with which to continue his impressive recruitment drive when the transfer window opens this week.
A European slot next season is still in his grasp and he may decide now is the time to bolster a squad who looked drained in the second half here. Perhaps the winter break has come at the right time for them to recharge their batteries at their training camp in Tenerife.
Accies remain short odds to return to the Championship after six years in the top flight but can keep defying their critics with performances like this.
MOTHERWELL (4-3-3): Gillespie 6; Grimshaw 6, Gallagher 6, Mugabi 5, Carroll 6; O’Hara 5, Polworth 5 (McIver 80), Campbell 5; Scott 5 (Hartley 64), Long 6, Hylton 6 (Seedorf 64). Subs not used: Carson, Tait, Maguire, Semple. Booked: Hylton, O’Hara. HAMILTON ACCIES (4-3-3): Southwood 6; McGowan 8, Stubbs 6, Easton 6, McMann 6; Collar 5, Gogic 6, Martin 6 (Hunt 85); Miller 7, Oakley 5 (Ogkmpoe 90+1 1), Moyo 7 (Alston 79). Subs not used: Fon Williams, Davies, Hamilton, Winter. Booked: Martin, Stubbs. Man of the match: Aaron McGowan. Referee: John Beaton. Attendance: 6,048.