N icholson nicks win
Super sub wins a pivotal penalty and nets one of his own as Robbie Neilson’s men put on late show, reports Nick Rodger Hearts
IN THE build-up to yesterday’s tussle at Tynecastle, Robbie Neilson had suggested his side were “staying under the radar” in their quest to plunder points on the domestic front. For a while, however, it looked like the Hearts head coach would have to wheel out a transmitter producing electromagnetic waves in an attempt to find a goal.
Despite battering away at Hamilton in the first half, Hearts found themselves 1-0 down early in the second period but the introduction of Sam Nicholson turned an increasingly feisty affair on its head. A Jamie Walker double, including a highly debatable penalty, which sparked plenty of finger-jabbing and shoving, and an injury-time strike from Nicholson himself gave the hosts their third win on the spin and tucked them into second place in the table.
Nicholson had earned the 81st-minute spot-kick, which gave Hearts a 2-1 lead but it appeared a harsh judgement on Shaun Want, the young Hamilton defender, who had made the intervention.
“I’ve watched it back and it doesn’t look a penalty,” said Martin Canning, the Hamilton manager. “I think afterwards he [Nicholson] had said to Shaun and the referee he was off balance and the only thing he could do was go down. It’s frustrating when that costs you a game because at that point it’s one each, all to play for.”
The 19-year-old Want had been involved in another penalty claim during the first half when one of his challenges sent Tony Watt sprawling to the floor. “The players are saying it’s a penalty and we don’t get it,” said Neilson. “It’s swings and roundabouts.”
It was certainly a nice day for a kickabout and Hearts tried to make hay while that big fiery orb in the sky shone. Hamilton were required to perform numerous defensive chores in the early stages as Hearts poked and prodded at the rearguard. Walker had a low drive smothered by Remi Matthews while Conor Sammon and Callum Paterson were both left cursing a couple of chances that got away. Amid the general to-ing and fro-ing, Hamilton were forced into a re-jigging when Daniel Seaborne went off after 18 minutes and was replaced by Want.
Like sturdy infantry men in the trenches, Hamilton were digging in and they mounted a couple of menacing raids into enemy territory as the half progressed.
Hearts were still dominating most of the match stats – the usual stuff like possession, shots on target, shots off target, corners, levels of agonised swearing. The one thing they couldn’t muster was that all important goal.
It was the visitors who showed them how to do it within five minutes of the resumption. Hearts made a bit of a meal of trying to clear their lines and when Grant Gillespie whipped in a low cross from the left, Ali Crawford was on hand to plonk a crisp volley beyond Jack Hamilton.
Hearts responded with a raking Walker effort, which rattled the post but, with Hamilton galvanised, there was a groaning, grumbling sense that the hosts were gradually slithering out of the game. Neilson flung on Nicholson and Bjorn Johnsen with an hour gone in an effort to inject proceedings with renewed vigour and nine minutes after emerging from the bench, Nicholson made a telling contribution. His inviting cross from the right was met by Walker, whose flying header soared into the net.
Nicholson was causing plenty of mischief as the tide continued to turn. Hamilton were becoming increasingly ragged and the penalty decision certainly didn’t aid their cause. When Nicholson swept home a crisp effort in the last knockings, the game was up.