Thank Od I got the chance to make amends
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP Hero Hakeem feared he’d blown Accies win
Hakeem Odoffin was thrilled to claim derby hero status – after fearing he’d fluffed his big chance at glory.
The Hami lton Accies defender scuffed a late sitter but stepped up to sink Motherwell, after his side had soaked up pressure for so long.
Odoffin’s diving header with four minutes to go bagged Brian Rice’s men their first points of the season – but left the winless Steelmen suffering more pain.
The big full-back was feeling relief more than anything after duffing his big chance from two yards moments before the goal.
Odoffin said: “I should have scored the first one. It is as simple as that, but I got a goal at the end of the day, that’s the main thing.
“I couldn’t tell you what I did at that first chance. I think I went with my left, but it didn’t go in. I scored in the end, so I am happy.
“We felt the goal coming. We were getting chance after chance and felt we’d get something if we just got on the end of the crosses.”
It was a huge win for Accies to haul them off the foot of the table.
They had to hang tough for long spells but turned the screw as Well struggled in front of goal.
Rice reckons it was another two fingers up to the snipers.
He said: “I have character here. I’ll never doubt that.
“But these are young lads and when they are getting battered because they are bottom of the league it is hard.
“I am sticking up for them because I get everything from them. We will always have good days and bad days but as long as they keep giving everything for that jersey then that will do me.
“It is massive for us to come here for a derby match and walk away with a clean sheet and all three points.
“I am so delighted for the lads as they have had such a tough start to the season.”
Rice used the new five subs to perfection. His side had defended deep and in numbers but a triple change grabbed the momentum from Well and the goal came as no surprise.
Rice said: “It did change the game. It was a gamble to start the game with Justin Johnson, David Templeton and Marios Ogkmpoe because they haven’t had too much game time.
“I felt we had a foothold in the game in the second half.
“It seemed to be evening out so I’d a discussion with my coaches and we went brave.
“We went with the three kids and they changed the game with their energy and enthusiasm, and what you can’t forget is that they are good players.”
It was a bizarre game. Well dominated for 70 minutes but Accies defended as though their lives depended on it, with keeper Ryan Fulton in inspired form.
Celtic spy Peter Houston was in the stands again and would have produced another glowing report about David Turnbull.
The midfielder was superb – but Fulton was on a mission to keep him out, though Wel l should have been out of sight by half-time.
It was the same after the break when Turnbull unleashed one from 30 yards only for the Accies keeper to divert it over.
Hamilton were camped in and hanging on. You could see the Well players wilt. The confidence drained as yet another chance went begging. Accies sensed it.
They floated a free-kick into the box all the way to Andrew Winter and Trevor Carson had to throw out a boot to block.
Well were wobbling but survived an incredible miss with just seven minutes to go.
Reegan Mimnaugh’s cutely worked corner went through the crowd but Odoffin steered wide from just a couple of yards out.
The big defender didn’t miss moments later. Mimnaugh’s corner again did the damage but this time when the ball came to Odoffin, his diving header found the bottom corner.
Huge for Hamilton but murder for Well.