Hamilton Accies 1-1 Saints

Saints started the match brightly but they would go in a goal down at half time thanks to a fine curling strike from former Saints midfielder Ross Callachan on 36 minutes.

Saints though pushed for an equaliser and they got their reward 3 minutes from the end. Liam Gordon picked out Guy Melamed with a long ball into the box and the Israeli striker brilliantly took one touch to control the ball before coolly despatching it past Accies keeper Ryan Fulton.

Next up for Saints is a home game against Hibs on Saturday, kick off 3pm.  

MATCH REPORT

It was back to league business this evening for Saints as they made the trip to take on Hamilton Accies at the Fountain of Youth Stadium. After Sunday’s historic 1-0 win against Livingston in the Betfred Cup final at Hampden manager Callum Davidson made four changes to the side for this evening’s match. Scott Tanser, Craig Bryson, Stevie May and Guy Melamed came in to the team to replace Callum Booth, Ali McCann, Craig Conway and Chris Kane. Hamilton Accies lost 2-0 at Hibs eleven days ago and Head Coach Brian Rice made two changes to his side this evening. Jamie Hamilton and Marios Ogkmpoe both dropped out to be replaced by Aaron Martin and David Moyo.

David Wotherspoon got the match underway for Saints but it was the hosts who created the first chance of the match in the first minute. Scott McMann broke down the left before sending over an inviting cross which was punched clear by Zander Clark.

Saints though came into the game and on 12 minutes Scott Martin did well to get back and block a Craig Bryson effort as he turned the ball behind. From the resultant corner Liam Craig’s delivery from the right was met by Scott Tanser but his left-footed volley went wide.

A good flowing move on 18 minutes saw Stevie May lay the ball off to Guy Melamed but the strike from the Israeli forward was saved by Accies keeper Ryan Fulton. Then 3 minutes later a Craig cross picked out Wotherspoon but he couldn’t direct his header on target.

It was proving to be an open game and just after the half an hour mark Accies created a good chance to break the deadlock. McMann’s corner from the left was met by David Moyo but the forward saw his header go just over the bar.

Then on 34 minutes good play by Saints saw the ball played into Melamed and the Saints forward did well to turn his man before seeing his effort tipped behind for a corner by Fulton.

Accies though took the lead with 9 minutes of the first half remaining. Callachan gathered the ball from Bruce Anderson on the edge of the Saints box and the former Saints midfielder curled a fine effort into the top corner of the net.

On 43 minutes Saints created a chance to get back on level terms as good hold-up play by Melamed saw the forward lay the ball back to Craig Bryson but the strike from the midfielder went wide of the target.

A minute later Lee Hodson delivered a good ball into the Saints box and McMann got up well to meet the delivery but his header didn’t trouble Zander Clark. Play then quickly switched to the other end as Craig carried the ball forward before unleashing a shot from distance which Fulton comfortably gathered.

Saints were out of the traps quickly at the start of the second half as they looked to get back into the match. On 48 minutes a fine cross from the left by David Wotherspoon was met by Melamed but his powerful header was well saved by Fulton.

Saints were then forced into a change on 50 minutes as James Brown came on to replace the injured Shaun Rooney.

Accies almost doubled their lead on 59 minutes as Callachan won the ball from Bryson before setting up Moyo but his thunderous strike crashed off the post.  

Saints then made a double change on 66 minutes as Glenn Middleton and Michael O’Halloran came on, replacing Stevie May and Craig Bryson.

Saints were upping the tempo and on 79 minutes good play by Jason Kerr saw the Saints captain play the ball out wide to Brown and his cross into the box picked out Wotherspoon but the Saints man was crowded out by the Accies defence as they cleared the danger.

The pressure eventually told and Saints got the goal their play deserved with 3 minutes remaining and what a goal it was. Liam Gordon sent a long ball forward into the Accies box and Melamed took one touch before coolly despatching the ball past Fulton. The neat touch and quick execution of the shot from the Israeli striker was a thing of beauty!

PHOTO: Guy Melamed brilliantly controls the ball before despatching it past Ryan Fulton

Both sides pressed in the final minutes of the match for a winner with Saints best chance falling to Gordon but the big defender saw his header go over from a Craig free kick.

Hamilton Accies: Fulton, Odoffin, McMann, Easton, Anderson, S. Martin (Hughes 82), Trafford (Stirling 85), A. Martin, Moyo, Hodson, Callachan

Unused Substitutes: Gourlay (GK), Stanger, Mimnaugh, Winter, Munro, Thomas, Smith

Booked: Anderson, Callachan

Scorer: Callachan (36)

Saints: Clark, Tanser, McCart, Kerr, Gordon, Wotherspoon, Bryson (O’Halloran 66), May (Middleton 66), Melamed, Rooney (Brown 50), Craig

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Conway, Gilmour, McCann, Booth, Ferguson

Booked: McCart, Wotherspoon, Craig

Scorer: Melamed (87)

Referee: Grant Irvine

Attendance: BCD

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Guy Melamed scores Saints late equaliser