It’s a G fizz as Accies fight for goal control
MARTIN CANNING admits Hamilton blew control of Group G in midweek – and today they must see off Stenhousemuir to have any chance of an automatic place in the knockouts.
Accies’ midweek penaltykick defeat by Albion Rovers after a 4-4 draw means their destiny is not in their hands.
And boss Canning said: “We’d be in a much stronger position if we’d completed the job at Coatbridge. We were ahead three times and left with just one point.
“We now need to beat Stenhousemuir and even then things are not in our hands as we have to get a better score than Albion get at Queen of the South.”
A win in Dumfries will see Albion through unless Hamilton succeed by two more goals. Boss Brian Kerr said: “We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We’re travelling to the home of a wellestablished Championship side – it’s a tough challenge.”
The Doonhamers could also go top and manager Gary Naysmith said: “The penalty shoot-outs lottery has come back to bite us.
“We could win and not qualify which would be really frustrating.”
Falkirk can clinch a seeded berth in tomorrow’s draw by winning at Glebe Park and manager Peter Houston said: “It will be tough as Brechin will look to frustrate us.”
Ayr can also book a seeded position if they get the better of an Annan side managed by their former centre-half Peter Murphy.
Boss Ian McCall said: “It’ll be difficult as Peter will have Annan well prepared but having defeated Kilmarnock, Dumbarton and Clyde we don’t want to stop now.”
Jack Iredale, Morton’s new signing from Australian football, is set to face visitors Edinburgh City as the Greenock men could be six players down in their bid to qualify as one of the best runners-up.
Ton boss Jim Duffy said: “I’d hoped to get Jack some game time in friendlies – however it could be a case of needs must.”
John Robertson is looking for improvement from Inverness at Forfar after last week’s 2-0 defeat by Falkirk left their hopes dependant on results elsewhere.
He said: “The desire, energy and passion I’m looking for was not there and this has to be better.”
Peterhead boss Jim McInally is determined to enjoy his side’s derby at Elgin even if the Blue Toon fail to progress.
He said: “We could win three games and not qualify which would be bizarre. But it is a derby and a chance to test ourselves against a League Two side.”
St Mirren have no chance of progressing from Group H but Saints No.2 James Fowler insists there is plenty to play for against Airdrie and said: “Starting jerseys for the first league game against Falkirk are up for grabs.”
More than local pride is at stake for Raith against visitors Cowdenbeath. Neither can qualify but Rovers boss Barry Smith said: “It’s a derby but I’m looking for a win anyway. I want to go into the league campaign with two wins behind us.”