Sweet revenge for Saints as the Accies tumble out of Cup
HAMILTON ACCIES 0 ST MIRREN 3 McGrath (4, 79 pen), Dennis (74)
Two weeks earlier, Hamilton’s Kyle Munro notched an 89th-minute equaliser at the Fountain of Youth Stadium to deny the Buddies a firstever top-six finish in the Premiership. Yesterday Jim Goodwin’s men got their revenge by knocking them out of the Scottish Cup.
It took the visitors just five minutes to break the deadlock. Ilkay Durmus supplied Jamie McGrath in the far corner of the penalty area and Saints’ top scorer was granted far too much time and space in which to take a touch before chipping Ryan Fulton for his 12th goal of the campaign.
Durmus came close to adding a second 10 minutes later with a curling free-kick that rippled the side netting. It was one-way traffic and Jake Doyle-Hayes saw an effort from the edge of the 18-yard box smartly saved by Fulton while Jon Obika dragged a shot wide from a similar position.
Fulton then produced an even better save to turn behind a drive from Obika as Accies struggled to find a foothold in this tie.
They finally created an opening in the 26th minute, Ross Callachan and Scott McMahon combining to tee up Lee Hodson, whose drive was turned over by Jak Alnwick.
It was Saints who continued to look the likelier, though, especially when Scott Martin went off nine minutes from the break with what looked like a hamstring injury.
Callachan at least worked the keeper from a free-kick but it was a comfortable save. He also missed their best chance on the stroke of half-time, firing wide after being played in by Aaron Martin.
Accies should have been level three minutes after the restart when Callachan’s cross found David Moyo unmarked and six yards out but he got under the ball and nodded over.
It was one of the few openings created during a second period high on graft but low on craft. However, Saints clinched their place in today’s draw for the last 16 with a goal of real quality.
Obika supplied Kristian Dennis, who had replaced Lee Erwin 11 minutes earlier, and the striker sized up the situation before launching an Exocet into Fulton’s top righthand corner from 30 yards.
Fulton’s misery wasn’t complete, however. The former Scotland under-21 star had a penalty harshly awarded against him when he dived at Obika’s feet and McGrath finished from the spot.
Alnwick denied the hosts even a consolation goal with an outstanding reflex save to keep out Bruce Anderson’s low drive from point-blank range.
Saints manager Goodwin was thrilled to be in the next round.
“I thought we were excellent in the first half and we used the ball really well. I was frustrated after the interval, though, because we had too many cheap turnovers of possession.
“Jamie’s goal was outstanding in terms of his technique and his composure,” he said. “With no disrespect to anyone, he is easily the best player I’ve ever worked with as a manager.
“All the other players look up to him, not because he’s a shouter or because he goes flying into tackles but because of the courage he shows in the way he plays.
“The Republic of Ireland team is crying out for goals and creativity and Stephen Kenny has a hard enough job without me telling him who to pick but Jamie supplies both.
“Two weeks ago at the end of that 1-1 draw here was the worst I’ve ever felt in football but we’ve set new targets now. The way the competition is now all the motivation is there for us to go far in it.”