Man Well ride luck as Accies draw a blank
hamilton accies 0 motherwell 0
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson believes his team can tighten their grip on third place in the Premiership.
It’s hard to disagree with him after a day when almost everything went for the Steelmen.
Despite having a man sent off after just 37 minutes, they held on for a draw at Hamilton and finished the stronger side.
They then heard that Aberdeen had been beaten by Ross County and the point had taken them clear of the Dons.
Robinson was rightly pleased with the way his team bounced back from losing four goals to St Mirren in their midweek Scottish Cup exit.
He said: “If I’d said six months ago that we’d be sitting third in the last week of February, no one would have believed me.
“I believe wholeheartedly in this group because they give me absolutely everything.
“On Tuesday we have big league game against St Mirren because it provides us with the chance to put more distance between ourselves and Aberdeen.
“St Mirren have proved difficult opponents in our last two games but there’s no reason why – if we play as we can – that we can’t stay in third place.”
Chris Long was back in the Well team after missing the cup defeat with a thigh strain.
He shouldn’t have been carrying any frustration from that defeat, but received a first caution for petulantly kicking the ball away after a free-kick was awarded against his side.
Commitment to the cause is admirable when it’s shown in the right manner, however that wasn’t the case with the Englishman on this occasion.
Just seven minutes after entering the referee’s book, his name was taken again for a late tackle on David Templeton.
Hamilton must have thought it was finally their chance to take advantage of a dismissal.
They suffered last weekend when Jamie Hamilton was wrongly sent off after just 21 minutes when they were leading 2-0.
Playing with ten men for so long was a major reason why they had to settle for a draw.
Surely it would swing the other way this time and result in a victory for the first time in seven matches.
To do that, however, they had to use their numerical superiority and create a few chances.
They found that difficult and failed to properly trouble Mark Gillespie in the away goal.
Accies had started really brightly and a Blair Alston pass had Ogkmpoe though on goal shortly after kick-off.
The big Greek striker couldn’t produce the finish and Gillespie was able to save with his legs.
A few more chances like that should surely have been created playing against 10 men but they didn’t materialise.
Instead, it was Motherwell who looked more likely to grab a victory.
Stephen Robinson paid tribute to the players who dug in despite seeing a team-mate stupidly taking an early bath.
He went on: “We were positive when down to 10 men and I thought the discipline of the boys was excellent.
“Liam Polworth has a chance to win it, so did Declan Gallagher inside the six yard box and Jermaine Hylton at the end.
“We’re back into third place with an opportunity to go four points clear and the players have pulled Chris Long out of the mire.
“I’m not disappointed with the red card.
“It’s definitely a red card. “I’m really disappointed about it and I just want to concentrate on the boys who were very, very good for me.
“I believe the tide has turned. “We have boys out there 80 per cent fit with injuries and illnesses and it takes a toll.
“This shows the character of the boys we have got.”
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