We play for front of the jersey not back
Rice hails humble heroes after derby win
B r ian Rice admit s Hamilton’s derby romp is as good as it gets after they brought in the New Year by climbing off bottom spot.
Lee Hodson, Ross Callachan and Callum Smith did the damage in a match which left managerless Well in second bottom.
After an emphatic display from start to finish, Accies boss Rice insists he couldn’t have wished for a better way to kick-off 2021.
He said: “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the New Year. I thought getting a point at St Johnstone was good but that was exceptional.
“To play our local rivals, first game of the New Year, and keep a clean sheet, I’m absolutely delighted. The grittiness and determination not to lose a goal even at 3- 0 pleased me the most. It was a big game for us today. It’s a game you want to win.
“It was a culmination of a lot of things. I’m not making excuses with the Covid situation and injuries but today I had a group of young players who don’t play for the name on the back of the jersey, they play for the name on the front. As long as they do that, I can’t have any complaints.
“There’s a bit of inexperience in there and there are days where they get it wrong and I get bits wrong and I hold my hands up. But on days like today ,when they do everything right, they are not a bad team.
“People seem to forget I have one or two players who can play a bit. Some people think when they put on an Accies jersey that they can’t play. But we had a bit of everything today.”
Hodson was first to try his luck from distance as his low strike was pushed away for a corner by Well keeper Aaron Chapman in the sixth minute in an even opening with both sides looking to push forward.
It should have been advantage to the Steelmen moments later when Stephen O’Donnell’s deep cross fell at the feet of Tony Watt who looked unconvincing as he tamely shoved a shot inches past a post when he should have been firing home.
That moment of slackness proved costly as Hamilton raced up the park and Andrew Winter released Hodson who fired a low shot past Chapman from the edge of the area in the 10th minute as Motherwell’s backline was far too easily carved open.
A lack of cohesion in the Well defence became a feature of a first-half which had Accies finding far too much freedom down the flanks as they pressed to find a cushion for their early advantage. Accies then
GORDON PARKS AT THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH STADIUM lost Brian Easton in the 21st minute looked in dire need of something to as he limped off for George Stanger spark them and Jake Carroll’s curling in a like-for-like reshuffle. free- kick was kept out by Accies
This was Hamilton at their most keeper Kyle Gourlay just after the adventurous and they should have half hour to at least offer some been two ahead in the 25th minute. attacking encouragement.
Well keeper Chapman flapped at It could have been better seconds a cross and raced off his line to try to before the break as Liam Polworth’s make amends onl y to g ive powerful effort from 25-yards had Winter a shot at an empty goal but Gourlay going full-stretch. the effort was blazed over. Motherwell Hamilton doubled their lead four minutes after the restart when striker David Moyo picked out Callachan and the midfielder blasted a low shot past Chapman.
A Watt snapshot was all the Fir Park side could muster as they showed no sign of any sort of fightback before it was Accies who added to t hei r lead in t he 65t h minute. Callachan’s cross from the right was nodded home by Smith.
That was to be that other than a Polwor th header which wa s brilliantly kept out by Gourlay as Hamilton claimed the bragging rights and climbed off bottom to pile more misery on Motherwell.