Hamilton Academical v Peterhead
After a brief two-week hiatus from league football, League One was back in action this weekend, with the Blue Toon travelling south to face Hamilton Academical. In the absence of league matches, the Blue Toon picked up an away win at Forfar Athletic and were edged out 0-1 at home to Elgin City in the KDM Evolution trophy. Peterhead will be hoping to bring some of their excellent form in the cup into their league results, as a tough run of form leave the side sat in 8th coming into this one.
Hamilton on the other hand started this game still unbeaten in the league after 7 games. Access have been in fine goalscoring form too, only failing to score in one of those league fixtures, away at Bayview in August. The two sides have met already this season in the League Cup group stages, a Cian Newbury goal proving the difference in a 0-1 away win for Hamilton.
The Peterhead gaffers made three changes to the team that started against Elgin last weekend, with Benny-Jackson Luyeye, James Stokes and Bobby McLuckie dropping out. Danny Strachan came in from the start as well as Zak To, and Mitch Megginson made his first Peterhead start.
The hosts looked to assert themselves on the game early doors, and enjoyed the majority of the possession. Peterhead, deploying a back 3 for this one, remained resolute in their shape off the ball and limited Accies to very little from open play. However, Hamilton proved a constant threat from set pieces throughout. 8 minutes in, a corner swung in from the left dropped for Bannigan on the edge of the box. His scuffed effort then fell kindly for MacDonald who was unmarked, but the midfielder couldn’t hit the target. MacDonald almost scored a spectacular overhead kick from another corner on 25 minutes, hitting the top of Craig Hepburn’s crossbar and out for a goal kick. Ciaran Duane was next to hit the frame of the Peterhead goal, the winger trying to turn the ball away from danger and behind for a corner but misjudged his touch and hit the post. Thankfully, Dunne recovered and managed to clear.
Peterhead then enjoyed a positive spell to end the half. A first shot on target of the game came from Archie Graham with a header, which was straight at Lyness. Then moments later, the Blue Toon were awarded a penalty. A goalbound shot from the edge of the box from Lyall Keir was blocked by the hand of Hendrie, and the referee pointed to the spot. Mitch Megginson side footed his effort down to Lyness’ left, but the keeper was equal to it and it remained 0-0 going into half time. There was one more chance for the Blue Toon to head in to the break with the lead, Ciaran Dunne pressing high and dispossessing Smutek in Accies territory. Dunne used his pace to leave Smutek behind and charged in on goal, but could not find the target with his shot 1-on-1.
Half-time: Hamilton Academical 0-0 Peterhead
It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken in the second half, with Accies taking the lead on 52 minutes. A set piece delivery which had been causing Peterhead problems all game was met by MacDonald and deflected in front of goal and into the net. Peterhead responded quickly however, and found an equaliser just 10 minutes later. Good combination play down the left flank from Dunne and Cammy Smith led to an cross from Lyall Keir, which was attacked at the back post by wing-back Blair Yule and found its way into the back of the net.
Both teams scrapped for chances to try and win the game, but Hamilton substitute Bradley set up the eventual winner. The winger drove through the heart of the midfield before sliding his striker Ryan in on goal. The forward struck first time across goal and found the bottom corner on 73 minutes. The Blue Toon never let their heads drop once again though, and looked to find an equaliser in the remaining minutes. It looked like they would get it on 87 minutes, a great ball in from Ciaran Dunne found Cammy Smith unmarked from point blank range, but the Peterhead man misjudged the ball and could not steer an effort on target.
Another narrow defeat for Peterhead, who will look to turn their form around next weekend now when they host Queen of the South at Balmoor next Saturday.
Full-time: Hamilton Academical 2-1 Peterhead