Handy Andy hat-trick as Accies progress
An Andy Ryan hat-trick sent Hamilton sailing into in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup against Lowland League title contenders East Kilbride.
It was Accies’ first Scottish Cup hat-trick since January 1970 when Neil Hood scored a treble.
Accies head coach John Rankin said: “Ten players were in the squad who were in the side at Auchinleck last year when we lost and I was determined that was not going to happen again.
“Andy was the difference between the two sides. The challenge was to keep a clean sheet and build on it. We finished the game with four 16-year-olds on the pitch. That’s great for the club.
“I love the Cup – and the next round brings a freshness and a new challenge.”
Dubbed “The South Lanarkshire derby”, the two sides had only ever met once previously, back in 2017 in the League Cup, Accies winning 3-1.
East Kilbride carved out the first chance in 12 minutes when Neil McLaughlin fired in a low 18-yard shot which squirmed through the arms of goalkeeper Ryan Fulton and just wide of the far post.
Luckless Accies could only look on in anguish after 34 minutes when Ryan slipped the ball to the left to Zanatta, who raced on to curl the ball goalwards, but his shot crashed back off the inside of the far post
The breakthrough finally came for Accies in 38 minutes when Scott Martin slid a perfect pass through to Ryan, who took one touch before crashing the ball high into the net from 15 yards.
Accies secured their passage into the next round in 70 minutes when Lewis Smith and Martin combined to put Ryan through to slide the ball under Lyle from a narrow angle.
The third came three minutes later when Smith was again the provider for 16-year-old substitute Ryan One to drill the ball home from six yards for his first goal for the club.
Andy Ryan then completed his historic hat-trick in 75 minutes with a stunning 25-yard lob.
The Kilby boss Kevin Rutkiewicz, said: “It was a really good game, separated by a player with a quality we’re not used to coming up against. I thought for the first hour we represented ourselves well. We are a club who are desperate to get into the leagues.
“I am delighted and proud of my players’ application.”
PETERHEAD 0 QUEEN’S PARK 3
Queen’s Park started with a strong wind at their backs, but it was Peterhead who threatened early on when Jason Brown went close with a half volley from 18 yards that skimmed the crossbar.
From a well-worked Queen’s free-kick, Simon Murray had a goal-bound effort blocked.
However, it wasn’t long before they took the lead when Thomas hit a wind-assisted 35-yard screamer that flew into Ritchie’s top-right corner.
Murray then nearly doubled Queen’s Park’s lead when, after a delightful turn, he shot narrowly wide.
Peterhead looked determined at the start of the second half and Hewitt, McCarthy and McDonald all went close as they searched for the equaliser.
It was the visitors, though, who got a second when Thomas struck home a delightful free-kick from a tight angle that seemed to deceive Ritchie.
Danny Strachan then made Ferrie work in the Queen’s goal, but it was left to Grant Savoury to cap a hard-earned cup win with a clever finish from 10 yards after good work from Williamson.
MORTON 4 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1
Morton marched into the fourthround draw, but they were pushed for long spells by a Queens side on whom the final score was a little unkind.
Morton boss Dougie Imrie said: “I’m delighted with the secondhalf performance. The main aim before the game was to be in the hat for the next round and we are there, so that’s the pleasing thing.”
Ruari Paton’s 20-yarder forced a first-minute diving save from Brian Schwake as Queens started brightly.
Morton responded through Robbie Muirhead’s long-range shot which was comfortably held by Max Currie.
Muirhead then saw a header blocked on the line before making it third time lucky when a deflection sent his raking leftfooted shot flying high into the net.
The Doonhamers almost hit back through Euan East whose netbound effort was saved by Schwake in the bottom corner, while Gavin Reilly fired inches over.
But the League 1 side were rewarded when Schwake could only parry Paton’s effort and Lewis Gibson followed up to net the rebound before King.
Queen’s finished the first period on top with Reilly firing just over again, before Ton had the first effort after the break when Muirhead sent a header inches wide.
At the other end, Calvin McGrory’s fierce shot from outside the box drew a diving save from Schwake.
Both sides continued to put the accent on attack and it was the Cappielow men who restored their lead when Muirhead sent a 25-yard free-kick high into the net.
But the visitors refused to throw in the towel, embarking on a period of sustained pressure during which Iain Wilson, twice, and McGrory went close to levelling the score again.
Instead, the issue was settled when Harry Cochrane upended Alex King, and Grant Gillespie made no mistake from the spot, before King rubbed salt in Queens’ wounds with a brilliant solo goal in stoppage-time.
Visiting boss Wullie Gibson said: “People looking from the outside will see 4-1 and think we took a battering, but for long periods of the game I thought it was in the balance – two teams giving their all out there.
“I think we were every bit as good as Morton.”