Accies’ classy kids in last eight
HAMILTON ACCIES 2 S. Nixon (3, og), Mimnaugh (33) INVERNESS CT 0
Hamilton booked their place in the quarter-finals of the SPFL Trust Challenge Cup after an all-championship clash.
Accies boss John Rankin said: “Credit to Inverness, I thought their kids were great and it was nice to get on the front foot and get an early goal.
“It was the objective to make changes and get into the next round of the cup and see where it takes us. I thought my young players were exceptional.”
Youth dominated both line-ups with Accies listing eight players who had graduated from their Academy in their starting 11 with another seven on the bench, while Caley began the day with nine teenagers on field.
Caley made the worst possible start, going behind to an own goal after just three minutes. Reegan Mimnaugh played a perfectly weighted pass through to Lucas De Bolle, who cut in from the right but his cut back to the near post was lucklessly turned into his own net close in by Sam Nixon.
Caley Thistle responded positively and created two great chances to level. After six minutes Keith Bray brought out an excellent save by Jamie Smith, with his 12-yard header.
Accies should have doubled their lead in 18 minutes when Michael Doyle whipped over a cross from the right, but Ryan One headed over from 10 yards.
Caley continued to pose a threat and after 24 minutes a Mackay corner from the right was volleyed wide first time by Aaron Nicolson.
Accies went two in front in 33 minutes with a slick move down the right. Doyle sent Andy Winter clear to fire in a low cut back to Mimnaugh, who had the simple job of tapping into the empty net from two yards.
Caley almost struck back four minutes later but Nicolson’s flashing downward header was well held by goalkeeper Smith.
One minute from the break Accies were denied a third when goalkeeper Mark Ridgers threw himself full length to his right to push a Gabe Forsyth effort to safety.
Accies should have made their progression more comfortable in 81 minutes when One was left unmarked 12 yards out, but his weak shot was easily saved by Ridgers.
Caley assistant coach Ryan Esson said: We stuck to our game plan and we were unlucky. We reacted well after the own goal and didn’t go under.
“We should have more competitions like this to be able to develop players. This is something I couldn’t give them as a coach. There were a couple of boys who were stand-outs and Calum Mackay was excellent. We would have liked to get to the next round, but overall I was happy with the performance.”
ACCIES:
(4-4-2) J. Smith 6, Doyle 7, Shiels 6, Tiehi 6 (Morgan 84, 3), Mimnaugh 7 (Latona 66, 4) Winter 7 (Black 84, 3), De Bolle (Newbury 71, 4) 6, Owens 6, Mcginn 8, One 7, Forsyth 7. Unused subs – Fulton (Gk); O’reilly, Ryan, Zanatta, L. Smith. ICT:
(4-4-2) Ridgers 7 (Gillan 87, 2); Barrett 6 (A. Nixon 72, 4), Strachan 6, S. Nixon 5, Walker 6 (Macdougall, 84, 3), Carnihan 6, Proudfoot 6 (Macleod 72, 4), Bray 6 , Nicolson 7 (Mackie 84, 3), Mackay 7, Bain 6.