Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Arbroath
Arbroath showed great resolute and resilience at New Douglas Park on Friday night after Ricky Little was harshly sent off after just 17 minutes.
The 10-men of Arbroath battled earning what could be a vital point with Ryan Dow incredibly unlucky not to snatch all 3 points as his header was cleared off the line.
Hamilton striker Jean-Pierre Tiehi was running towards goal when he and Little clashed, despite being 25 yards out from goal and Arbroath Captain Thomas O’Brien ahead of Little, Referee Craig Napier had his red card out of his pocket and flashed at Little within a split second of the incident.
Arbroath had made a sold start to the match, with Dick Campbell naming the same starting XI that started against Partick Thistle, with David Gold ruled out earlier in the day with sickness, Scott Bitsindou absent with injury and striker Sean Adarkwa still nursing a knock but was again fit enough for the bench alongside midfielder Scott Allan who returned to the squad after his rib injury.
With Little sent off, Steven Hetherington moved to left back with Colin Hamilton moving inside to join Thomas O’Brien at the heart of the defence.
Arbroath galvanised as a team and limited the 11 men of the home side to very little openings with Connor Smith recording their first real shot on target in the 41st minute but his shot was directly at Derek Gaston.
There was a stoppage in play whilst Jean-Pierre Tiehi and Ryan Dow received treatment after a clash of heads, but as play resumed it was Dow who had a good chance as he met at Yasin Ben El-Mhanni corner kick at the front post but his header was high over the bar.
Half Time Stats – Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Arbroath
Possession – Hamilton Accies 53% – 47% Arbroath
Shots – Hamilton Accies 4 – 4 Arbroath
Shots on Target – Hamilton Accies 2 – 2 Arbroath
Shots Off Target – Hamilton Accies 2 – 1 Arbroath
Blocked – Hamilton Accies 0 – 1 Arbroath
Corners – Hamilton Accies 1 – 1 Arbroath
Fouls – Hamilton Accies 5 – 9 Arbroath
Hamilton introduced Dario Zanatta and Ryan One for Tom Sparrow and Dylan Stephenson at the interval as they looked to push for a goal, but Arbroath looked solid at the back. Banks and Hetherington were both composed on either flank, with Hamilton and O’Brien as calm and measured as always whilst João Baldé continued to impress just in front of the back 4.
Some of the decisions from the officials were becoming more and more bewildering and the Arbroath bench were becoming more and more frustrated and in the 58th minute Arbroath Manager Dick Campbell was sent to the stands for a second yellow card, the second time he has been sent off by Referee Craig Napier this season, and the 3rd time in recent years.
Paul Komolafe replaced Toyosi Olusanya a minute later with Reghan Tumilty shooting directly at Gaston in the 67th minute.
Michael McKenna again was everywhere and despite taking a heavy knock in the first half as always gave it his absolute all.
One of the best pieces of skill came in the 69th minute when El-Mhanni waltzed past two defenders down the left wing before coming into the box but his final shot was just wide of the goal, and a minute later he left the pitch as Bobby Linn was introduced.
Former Lichtie Scott Martin fouled Colin Hamilton with the Referee allowing Arbroath to have the advantage before Martin managed to catch up with play and fouled Linn for his second foul in quick succession yet was only booked once.
Ryan Dow’s header from a Michael McKenna corner kick was saved on the line but it looked like Ryan Fulton didn’t know much about it and Arbroath were denied the opening goal.
As the play continued, a cross come shot from Thomas O’Brien almost caught out Fulton as Arbroath won another corner.
Scott Stewart came on for Ryan Dow in the 88th minute and whilst Hamilton had plenty of the ball, it was Arbroath who looked more dangerous on the break and Linn shot deep in injury time was blocked.
Full Time – Hamilton Accies 0 – 0 Arbroath
Full Time Stats
Possession – Hamilton Accies 57% – 43% Arbroath
Shots – Hamilton Accies 10 – 10 Arbroath
Shots on Target – Hamilton Accies 4 – 4 Arbroath
Shots Off Target – Hamilton Accies 6 – 3 Arbroath
Blocked – Hamilton Accies 0 – 3 Arbroath
Corners – Hamilton Accies 4 – 5 Arbroath
Fouls – Hamilton Accies 14 – 16 Arbroath
Captain Thomas O’Brien was named BBC Scotland’s man of the match and in his post-match interview live on the BBC was also confused by the red-card decision, especially after the explanation from the referee.
A fantastic performance from 10-man Arbroath who definitely were worthy of the point and if perhaps had been allowed to play with 11 players would have overcome Hamilton.
Only two points now separate the bottom 3 clubs. We now have a weekend off before we return to Gayfield on the 17th of March.
C’mon the Lichties
Hamilton Accies
1 – Ryan Fulton
3 – Matthew Shiels
4 – Dan O’Reilly
8 – Scott Martin (c)
12 – Tom Sparrow (One 45)
16 – Dylan Stephenson (Zanatta 45)
17 – Jean Pierre Tiehi
21 – Connor Smith
22 – Reghan Tumilty
23 – Lucas De Bolle (Redfern 79)
25 – Fergus Owens
Hamilton Accies Substitutes
5 – Brian Easton
10 – Dario Zanatta – 16; 45th
14 – Marley Redfern – 23; 79th
18 – Reegan Mimnaugh
19 – Andy Winter
24 – Steve Lawson
37 – Chris McGinn
41 – Ryan One – 12; 45th
31 – Jamie Smith (GK)
Yellow Cards – Sparrow 43, Martin 74, De Bolle 76
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Lewis Banks
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
25 – João Baldé
8 – Michael McKenna
26 – Steven Hetherington
19 – Ryan Dow (Stewart 88)
17 – Toyosi Olusanya (Komolafe 59)
18 – Yasin Ben El-Mhanni (Linn 71)
Arbroath Substitutes
9 – Dale Hilson
11 – Bobby Linn – 18; 71st
12 – Scott Stewart – 19; 88th
14 – Paul Komolafe – 17; 59th
15 – Dylan Tait
23 – Scott Allan
24 – Sean Adarkwa
21 – Cammy Gill (GK)
Yellow Cards – Dow 22, Hetherington 51, Komolafe 73
Red Card – Little 17
Attendance – 1832 (361 Lichties)
Officials
Referee; Craig Napier
Assistant Referee 1; Sean Carr
Assistant Referee 2; Brian Christie
Fourth Official: Stewart Luke
