Accies out of the cup

’Gers cruise to victory

Hamilton Accies exited the Scottish Women’s Scottish Cup quarter-finals following a 3-0 defeat at home to Rangers.

After a first half that had suggested a closer contest, Rangers eventually cruised through to the semi-finals with three second-half goals, leaving Accies manager Gary Doctor frustrated at the selfinflicted nature of the defeat.

“Yet again we’ve been the architects of our own downfall,” Doctor said.

“We wanted to go further in the competition and there’s disappointment at the way we’ve conceded the goals.

“I thought we got on top later in the second half and created the one clear-cut chance – we didn’t make it count, though.

“The game was certainly in the balance at half-time and I don’t think anybody could have predicted a 3-0 defeat in the second half.”

Doctor added: “The players need to do better. They’re getting into good positions but making wrong decisions or mistakes.

“We defended the box and open play really well, but our concentration is absolutely letting us down at set-plays.”

It was a forgettable first half at the Superseal on Sunday, with neither keeper having much to do, until Accies’ golden chance arrived on the halfhour mark.

Laura Gallen found herself clean through on goal with just Jordyn Elliott to beat, but she couldn’t find the target.

The visitors made Accies pay for that in a fiveminute second-half spell, during which they grabbed control of the tie.

Rangers won a free kick down the left side of the box and Laura Muir’s setpiece sailed past everyone and into the net.

Five minutes later and set-pieces were again Accies’ undoing, as Gill Inglis deflected a Clare Gemmell corner past her own keeper, with Lauren Grant helpless to stop the header.

Hamilton tried to respond but couldn’t test Elliott.

Instead, the visitors wrapped things up after a defensive mix-up found Hayley Sinclair through on Grant and she chipped the ball over her from the edge of the box.

The focus now returns to the league, with a twoweek break before the visit of Celtic.

Last weekend’s defat at Glasgow City leaves Accies second-bottom of the table, with some testing fixtures looming.

Doctor said: “The players need to lift themselves and we will work with them.”