"Achievement through Unity"
YOUTH NEWS
17'S EXIT SCOTTISH CUP
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 16/8/15
Hamilton Accies 17's were put out the Scottish Cup at the weekend as a strong Hibs put seven past them without reply.
Brilliant goalkeeping from young Chloe Aitken kept the visitors at bay for much of the game despite the score, keeping it at 2-0 at the break.
But the physical and older Hibs side grabbed the game by the horns in the second half and hit another seven in through a range of shots to seal their place in the third round and send Accies spinning out.
Next up for Hamilton is a league clash against Rangers at home.
McDONALD: LADIES
CAN INSPIRE US TO
CUP SUCCESS
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 14/8/15
Under-17's player Abbi McDonald believes that training alongside the women's team will be perfect preparation for the Scottish Cup.
Accies host Hibs on Sunday in the second round of the Cup at the Hamilton Palace Grounds.
And McDonald says that having trained with the premier team since the start of summer, they will be ready.
"We've been training with the ladies team lately so the preparation has been good.
"It's been intense and a lot faster than what we're used to so it's been really good in getting ready, and Hibs will be a hard game so hopefully this will help us get a result."
The 16-year-old recently came back from an ankle injury, and while captain Emma Colquhoun is ruled out with a groin problem, McDonald will be in the mix.
"I've been training for the last three weeks and have been going to the gym so it's a lot stronger."
And on reflecting back to the last Scottish Cup campaign, she wants to build on last year's positives.
"The Cup was good last year," she began.
"We had a lot of good draws so it was a good break from the League, and we're doing well in the League this year so hopefully we can do well in the Cup too."
UNDER-15'S LEAGUE CUP FINAL DATE CONFIRMED
14/8/15
The Under-15's Southwest League Cup Final is to be played on Saturday 19 September with a 15:15 kick off.
After a brilliant semi-final win over Central Girls at the Bent, the 15's are now preparing for Kilmarnock in the final.
Venue to be confirmed.
15'S PULL OFF BRILLIANT DRAW
BY: PADDY FEECHAN ON 14/8/15
Accies 15s took a nice trip up the M8 to take on Murieston Girls, in what proved to be a very entertaining game.
Hamilton were caught out by the pace and strength of their opponent's attack, falling behind within seconds, and were two down after three minutes.
After the second goal, Accies began to get a foothold in the game, playing some lovely passing football from defence.
With the exception of the first few minutes, the Hamilton defence were outstanding, with some great pressing play, as well as composed link up play with the midfield.
After multiple chances, Accies finally got themselves level with a few
minutes to go, and were unlucky not to go home with a win.
Due to the success of the game, there will be a return game, with Murieston coming through to Hamilton in the coming weeks, where both teams will hope to emulate the quality on show, and both hoping to take away a victory.
Both coaches, Paddy and JP were in agreement, that this might well have been our best performance of the season to date, and will give the team huge confidence going into the league cup final in the next month or so, date to be confirmed.
Both goals were scored by our leading scorers this season, Emma and Teigan.
U-17'S COLQUHOUN SAYS THEY CAN COMPETE WITH THE BEST
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 26/7/15
After sealing top half football for the second half of the season, Accies Under-17's captain Emma Colquhoun says that maintaining fitness and performance levels will be key in competing with the best.
Colquhoun who took the armband at the beginning of the season lead her side to sixth out of fifteen in the first term, and spoke of the progress her team made along the way.
"The first half of the season went well, the team have gelled and progressed a lot," she began.
"Although we did have some disappointing defeats we achieved most of the results we hoped for. It's not an easy league to compete in so it was great to finish the first half of the season in the top half of the league split, which is sure to benefit our future performances as we will be playing top teams."
But the fifteen-year-old isn't getting ahead of herself as she's fully aware of the challenge ahead.
"The second half of the season won't be easy, but now that we know the standard of the teams in our league it will hopefully push us to work a lot harder."
But the break has allowed for time for the young Accies to train and learn from the senior squad.
"We have been training with the Premier team and some of our squad have stepped up to play with them. I think this has prepared us well for the second half of the season as we've been working at a higher tempo with more experienced players
"I think the first half of the season has prepared us well for games to come. Due to some good performances against some top sides, the team has a more positive mentality which will definitely help in fighting for results."
And Colquhoun thinks it's a mix of squad and personal targets that will be the recipe for success in the next few months.
"The squad has worked hard to be able to achieve team goals as well as personal aims which we set at the start of the season.
“During the first half of the season we often struggled with numbers at training as players had to balance studying for exams with football but now that exams are over we can hopefully aim to have more players at training.
"I think we also need to work on maintaining our level of performance throughout the second half of our games to achieve better results against tougher opponents and aim to finish in as high a position as possible in the league.
"I've personally really enjoyed the season so far. Hopefully by setting new personal aims it will help me to develop my performance more.
"As we'll face strong opponents throughout the next half of the season fitness will be important and it's something I need to work on. I want to aim to keep getting as much game time as I can because I think it has improved my performance throughout the first half of the season."
UNDER-13'S REDS SHINE IN LEAGUE CUP FINAL
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 20/6/15
Accies under-13's Reds lifted their first title of the season at the weekend with a brilliant 4-0 win over Kilwinning in their League Cup Final.
Hayley MacMillan's hattrick paired with Abby Skelton's strike sealed the shield for Hamilton a year after just missing out to Kilmarnock.
The youngsters took the game into their own hands early on, putting all the pressure on the Ayrshire club and racking up numerous chances on goal.
Two minutes before half time though, MacMillan broke the deadlock
with a low effort, and just three minutes on the other side of the break Skelton's shot from distance doubled the lead.
MacMillan completed her hattrick in the last ten to see out the game and help Accies to the victory.
Hamilton booked their final slot with a win over the club's other under-13s outing, Accies Whites, after an impressive run of results to reach the semi finals.
Coach Lynsey Hogg was a mixture of relief and delight at the full time whistle after the nervy start.
"I was excited but nervous for the girls before kick off and a bit sick in the first since we were creating loads of really good chances but couldn't get the goal.
"I'm honoured to work with such a talented group of players and I'm proud of everyone, there was great application in an exciting final."
Hogg's assistant Emma Strachan also shared her pride.
"The girls did brilliantly today, and they worked really hard to make sure they won today and played some great football while they did it.
"They settled after the first goal, I think they were getting a bit nervous because they hadn't scored yet even though they had made plenty of chances, and I was getting nervous around then too.
"I'm so proud of them and especially pleased since they just missed out last year. It's a great squad of girls who've been together for a while now so it's great to see them win a cup."
YOUNG 15'S SHINE IN FRIENDLY WEEKEND
BY: PADDY FEECHAN ON 9/4/15
A confidence boosting day for Accies 15s, with a trip to Irvine to face Clark Drive.
With a young squad in tow, including a couple of our under-13s, what lead like a tricky game in paper, turned out to be one of the most assured games the team has had in a few years.
The game finished 9 -3 to Hamilton, but it was the performance that pleased the coaches most.
The passing, and movement was great to see, with both under-13s adapting to the team like they had played there all year.
The goals were split across the squad, with Teigan grabbing a great hat-trick, Emmajai scoring another outstanding free kick, and two expertly taken penalties.
A special mention has to go to the Clark Drive coaches, who were smashing throughout the day, and welcomed us in brilliantly.
The club are definitely looking forward to the league trip on May 30th, having taken a lot from a great friendly weekend.
UNDER-9'S LEAD THE WAY FOR SWNT
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 9/4/15
Accies under-9s got a taste of international and Championship football today, taking to Falkirk's pitch ahead of the SWNT's friendly.
Scotland Women welcomed Australia in a tight one all draw, but not before the Hamilton girls took to the pitch in a fives festival.
The girls returned to the field at half time for another match ensuring they had plenty of game time at Falkirk Stadium.
Under-9s coach Linsey Park took her players along, and was delighted with the occasion.
She said; "the girls had a great day, the kits looked great and it was a brilliant day out in the sunshine."
Rossvale, Riverside, Cumbernauld Colts, Stenhousemuir, Clark Drive, Bayside, Gartcairn and St Mirren also enjoyed the day from both the pitch and the stands.
9'S IN SCOTLAND WOMEN ACTION
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 8/4/15
Accies under-9s will experience the Scotland Passion this week as they take to the pitch ahead of Scotland Women's game against Australia in Falkirk.
Falkirk Stadium hosts the friendly and welcomes the under-9s onto the field for a pre-match festival.
The Hamilton girls will be back on the pitch at half time, and coach Linsey Park said she was "delighted that the girls were getting such an opportunity" and "all the girls are so excited."
They will be on the pitch from 11:15 to 1:15 ahead of the 2:30 kick off.
UNDER-15'S COACHES FEELING POSITIVE
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 17/2/15
Under-15s coaches Stuart McIntosh and Paddy Feechan said they were impressed with their side’s progress in a stalled preseason and praised the changes at the club that are already showing benefits.
Speaking after a bounce match between the 15s and 17s at the club’s new base New Douglas Park, the two spoke about the game and how the season looks to be shaping up.
“I think it was very beneficial,” McIntosh said after the game.
“At the moment I think we’ve had three games called off, so tonight was great for both of them, and hopefully the younger ones will come on due to playing with the older ones alongside them.
“Hopefully they’ve helped them through the game and see it as a bonus for them, at the side and on the pitch as well.”
Feechan also agreed that the night was important in their preparations for the upcoming season.
“I think it was important as well to have the game down here, because where we play, it would have been a decent game, but they were getting a much better run out down here in terms of fitness, which in preseason is a big deal, so it was a much bigger park for them to run about on and we could see at the end there was a wee bit of flagging, even from the 17s who were slowing down a bit so I think it done its job tonight.”
With the women and girls’ game in Scotland played out in a summer season, preseason can be a bit of struggle with weather factors and other problems, but McIntosh said that once the worst of it was over the preparations have been going well.
“Recently it’s been going well, but obviously it was very interrupted at the start due to the snow and ice, we were only getting maybe one hour here and there instead of our usual four hours plus a game.
“But now we’re hopefully flying back into it, the girls look as if they are coming on, and we’ll hopefully get games back to back now before the season starts.”
Feechan added that he was positive about the attitude and progression of the players, and thinks it’s already an improvement on the previous season.
“Last preseason was a bit slow and jilted. I didn’t come in until the start of the season, so I missed the preseason, so I don’t know what preseason was like beforehand, but this season it already seems like the girls are coming together.
“They are definitely a better group and a better unit straight away so for the first couple of games, I’m looking forward to it a lot more than I was.
“They’re looking to pass to people they wouldn’t usually pass to and stuff so things have certainly progressed better than they had last season.”
And on how the game at New Douglas Park had come about, the pair were full of praise for the direction the club is heading in.
“I think it’s massive for the club,” McIntosh began.
“It’s very positive hearing people talk about it and thinking we’re associated with the men’s side now, and it’s certainly a bonus for the full club and the girls that are playing, they have a wee buzz about themselves as well. They know we’re getting new kits in and whatever else, and now tonight obviously getting the chance to come down and play at the stadium, I think they came off with a smile on their faces, they loved it.”
“I had a wee look into the other dugout as well and it’s good to see the girls enjoying it before the game, you know looking up to the stand and stuff, but I think what was more surprising for me was how the parents were reacting,” Feechan added.
“Seeing the enjoyment the girls are getting on the pitch is a massive thing for the parents, and being associated with the club and getting new strips and things, the parents have been talking about that for a while, so this is huge for them to see that actually their investment over the last wee while, not only has it been going towards the team, but it’s been towards facilities as well and everything is hopefully going to improve.”
While preseason kicks on for the side, the coaching duo hope to see more benefits from the links affect their team in the upcoming season.
ACCIES DUO GO NATIONAL
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 15/6/15
Under-13's Reds pair Abby Skelton (left) and Shanna Hynes (right) packed their bags and set off to SFA National Camps this morning.
The Performance squad duo's impressive performances and talent didn't go unnoticed by Under-14's Camp bosses, earning the two callups to the events.
With Abby heading to Central Region's base, and Shanna representing South Lanarkshire, the weekend will help them develop while surrounded by experienced coaches and other promising talents.
And the experience will stand them in good stead, as their League Cup Final rolls around in five days at Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds against Kilwinning.
ACCIES GIRLS GO INTERNATIONAL
AND HEAD TO ALKMAAR
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 24/6/15
Three Accies academy girls jetted off to Alkmaar in the Netherlands yesterday to represent South Lanarkshire in the International Children's Games.
Shanna Hynes of the 13's, and goalkeeper Chloe Aitken and Teigan McCann of the 15's all headed off after impressing the scouts and being offered a place.
Speaking ahead of it the girls spoke of how excited they were, and how even the trials and preparation had been great.
Coaches Lynsey Hogg, Lesley Scanlan and club photographer Ian Steele joined them for the competition.
Good luck from all at Accies!
UNDER-15'S LEAGUE CUP FINAL DETAILS
1/9/15
The Under-15's South West League Cup Final has been moved from Saturday 19 September to Sunday 18 October.
It will kick off at 11am at Toryglen where they face Kilmarnock for the title.
UNDER-17'S SAY NDP BRINGS A DIFFERENT PRESSURE
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 3/9/15
Brannan said "It's a great opportunity for us since it's the first team's pitch and getting the chance to play on a pitch like this is a great experience for us all."
"It's a much bigger park than what we're used to so it's just adapting to it, but we've coped quite well," Shearer added.
Quigley, who has featured at NDP a number of times this season for the Premier team, says that running out there for the 17's is another matter.
"There's always a lot of pressure when we play on this park, because we're expected to win, and since we've played on it a few times before we are expected to know the pitch and it's a lot harder."
While they all commented on the width of the pitch, they refused to blame that or luck for the end result against the Gers.
Shearer said, "It was a game of two halves, because first half we were quite disappointed with how we started but we came out the second and we fought for it," before Brannan added, "It's something we do though, it's always the second half where we fight for it because we realise what we've been doing wrong first half.
Quigley also refused to shy from excuses, saying, "I don't think we were unlucky though, it's our fault, we were to blame for the result."
On the back of a 5-2 beating from Rangers at New Douglas Park, Under-17's trio Megan Quigley, Carly Brannan and goalscorer Emily Shearer spoke about the pressures and opportunities that playing at the ground brings.
Taking to the home of both Accies Women's Premier team and the Men's Premier team for the third time this season the three admitted it was a big ask.
YOUTH ROUNDUP:
MIXED BAG OF YOUTH RESULTS
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 15/9/15
Accies Under-13's Whites, Under-15's and Under-17's were all in action this weekend, but it was a mixed bag of results for the Accies youth.
With the premier team out of action, focus turned to the youth ranks.
Under-15's coach Paddy Feechan caught us up from the weekend:
"Accies 15's made the long trip up to East Fife this weekend, and took part in an entertaining friendly in some extent weather conditions.
The game finished 6-4 to the Fifers, but Accies again proved they're heading in the right direction with some great passing moves on a tricky surface.
Emma Roberts and Lucy Hutton both bagged doubles, in a game that saw Jodie Milne make her Accies debut in defence.
Both teams played with great competitiveness even though it was only a friendly, earning praise from both sets of coaching staff.
Accies are now looking to take the positive play into their next league game away to Ayr United."
Elsewhere in the academy, Liam Murphy's Under-13's ran out 6-1 winners over Rutherglen at the Bent to their coach's delight, while the Under-17's lost out 6-2 to Central Girls despite a positive performance as they turn their attentions to this Sunday's League Cup semi-final against Celtic at the Palace Grounds. Kick-off is 10am.
MACDONALD SAYS ACCIES ARE SEMI-FINAL UNDERDOGS
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 18/8/15
Jennifer MacDonald says that even though Hamilton haven't played a minute of League Cup football this year and are underdogs, they can upset semi-final opponents Celtic on Sunday.
The 17-year-old leftback also said her team are up for the challenge that she believes is the highlight of their season.
She said; "We go into the game as underdogs, but at the end of the day it's 80 minutes, eleven v eleven and who wants it more!
"It's a highlight in a very mixed season and the girls are up for giving it their all, and if we take our chances and defend as a compacted team, I believe we could be the dark horses of the competition."
But she is under no illusions as to how difficult the task will be, having faced Celtic already this season.
"Celtic are a great side and they will undoutedly field a strong starting eleven on Sunday.
"We have played them already this season and they proved to be a difficult team to exploit. They press very well together and move the ball around
quickly, waiting for the right opportunity to break through."
MacDonald and her teammates have been training with the Premier team for the past few months, and the experience can help them push the Glasgow side on Sunday.
"We have been training with the Premier team which I think can develop us all. They train with a high tempo that is challenging and rewarding.
"We have had a good turnout at training the past few sessions so we've been able to focus our attentions on weaknesses within the team. We have had a busy run of competitive games recently that has meant we can work on our weaknesses and develop our strengths," she added.
THE UNDER-17'S LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL KICKS OFF AT 10AM THIS SUNDAY AT HAMILTON PALACE GROUNDS.
Under-15's head coach Paddy Feechan says that if his side are ever going to beat Kilmarnock, this weekend's League Cup final will be the time they can do it.
Feechan says his players are in high spirits ahead of it as they go into their last week of preparations, as Accies under-15's look to make it two League Cups in a row.
"What with the two games at the weekend we've pushed ourselves and I think it's had a positive impact. The run up to the cup final in the last few months results wise hasn't been great, we've lost a few games where we've thought we were going to win them but performance wise the girls are pulling together a wee bit more as a team, and over the last week it just seems to be coming together and especially just looking tonight at a lot of the faces they seem to be enjoying it.
"Bringing down Jennifer King to the training I think has buoyed them up a wee bit, so good spirits I think all the girls are looking forward to it."
Feechan will lead the girls out alongside JP Smith, and he admitted that while he's excited for Saturday, his assistant is more nervous.
"As a coaching group, I'm looking foward to it, I'm actually quite excited about it whereas JP has got more of the nerves this year. We obviously had the cup final last year so I've got a wee bit experience but for JP this is his first, so he's got the nerves and I've got the excitement this time."
But despite nerves and excitement, he's confident that the girls can beat high flying Kilmarnock.
"If you'd asked me if I was confident of two in a row last month, the answer would be 'always confident in the girls being able to win a one-off game', but over the last three/four weeks, the girls have really came into their own as a team, so definitely I think if we're ever going to win a cup against a really good Kilmarnock team then this is the team that will do it.
"Kilmanock haven't been beaten this season as far as I'm aware, they have lost though in the Scottish Cup but against a really good Glasgow City team and I think they done really well against them and it was quite close, but the last game we played against them, we troubled them a bit, and we have what we think is going to be a stronger team as well, so I think we'll do it."
It's taken a while for the game to come around though, with multiple rearrangements from dates to venues, but the team aren't letting that distract them.
"It's been frustrating a little bit, just becasue the ins and outs of it being rearranged, the first time it got moved, everyone was fine with it, one or two girls may have missed out because the dates over the October holidays and stuff, but we were dealing with that, I think the girls seemed to take it in their stride, a bit disappointed were the girls who were missing out, but they were ok withit.
"As a club though, I think we were ok with it, it's just getting to the day and getting it done, but I think having it moved about a bit, has possibly helped us in some aspects, we're going to have some players there that wouldn't have been, so there's been disappointments, highs and lows throughout it, but ultimately when the day comes we're just goung to have to be prepared, whether it's June or October we'll be prepared."
THE FINAL IS AT BROADWOOD STADIUM, SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER, 4:30PM KICK-OFF
Under-15's captain Morgan McCafferty says Accies are the better team and she is buzzing to take to Broadwood for her team's League Cup Final.
Hamilton take on Kilmarnock for the cup, but last year's "Most Improved Player" insisted here team are confident ahead of it.
"We are very confident going into the match, as we know we are the better team," she said.
"It's something we have worked hard at lately as a group, and can now see the benefits of this."
McCafferty admitted having the game rescheduled so many times frustrated her, but hasn't let that squash her excitement.
"Yeah it's been frustrating because we have been getting ourselves prepared for it and then it kept getting moved.
"Thankfully it's now here, and we're all buzzing for it. Last year was great, and we are hoping this year will be even better, as it's in a real stadium this time."
THE CUP FINAL IS SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER AT BROADWOOD STADIUM, 4:30PM KICK-OFF.
Under-17s' Rachel Howie is backing the upcoming fifteens to settle into seventeens football with ease.
The midfielder said while she thinks the second half of last season went well, she believes next year can be even better.
"I think the second half of the season went well," she began.
"The turning point was away to Kilmarnock when we pulled it back, it was 2-1, then 2-2 and we brought it back, I think we had good team spirit in that game and I think it brought the team much closer together to have a good end of the season."
The fifteen-year-old is readying herself for another season at seventeens, and is happy that most of the squad will also be there next year.
"Me and Emiy are staying on because we were the younger ones, we should have been fifteens last year, but there's a good seven or eight that are still aged to stay a seventeens."
But she's even more pleased to welcome some of the club's younger players to the side.
"It's great that there are fifteens coming up too though, they've helped us out all season and our league campaign wouldn't have been the same without them.
"I think they'll suit it," she added.
But she's also looking forward to improving herself next year and has set her sights high.
"I think next season is going to be challenge, we've not had the best of seasons this year, but I think having the fifteens coming up it'll improve.
"The start of the season will be quite tough but we'll get a good start hopefully.
"I just want to improve in general as a player personally, and hopefuly win something or finish higher in the league."
HOWIE EXCITED BY YOUNG FUTURE FOR SEVENTEENS
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 20/11/15
MCCAFFERTY: WE ARE THE BETTER SIDE
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 30/10/15
FEECHAN READY FOR 15S CUP FINAL
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 29/10/15
FEECHAN READY FOR 15S CUP FINAL
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 29/10/15
Accies U13’s girls opened their league campaign with a great performance against Wishaw. After last week’s amazing victory in the cup, Accies were high on confidence and carried on their great form.
The opening exchanges were even with Wishaw giving as good as they got. The breakthrough came with lethal striker Monica Smith volleying home a great Rachel Graham cross. Captain Darcy Miller scored directly from a corner, and substitutes Amy McGee, Rachel Graham, Kiera McKewon also found net.
The half time whistle came as Liam Murphy rang the changes putting Rachel Graham in goals and goalkeeper Ellie Currie up front to let her get involved in the game - this gave Wishaw a bit of space and Rachel was forced into a couple of smart saves to keep them out. Next was a well-deserved goal for goalkeeper Ellie Currie. Man of the match Zoey May also found net as the Accies girls continued their lightning start to the league after a great team performance with some lovely football played throughout.
Special mention to Lucy Sullivan and Hannah Gibb who didn’t get on the scoresheet but both worked tirelessly and had great games.
13S CONTINUE FLYING START TO 2016
BY: BILL SULLIVAN ON 13/3/16
13S CONTINUE FLYING START TO 2016
BY: BILL SULLIVAN ON 13/3/16
Accies under-13 girls landed a home tie against Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Cup. The girls were wary going into the game as Hearts had handed them a heavy friendly defeat a few weeks previous coupled with a loss away from home at the same round of the competition last season.
Their fears were proved correct early doors with Hearts racing into a two-goal lead and Accies looking shell-shocked. They were lucky to not find themselves further behind with goalkeeper Ellie Currie keeping the score down.
Remarkably things started to click into place for Accies with top-scorer Monica Smith taking centre stage as ever pulling one back to put Hearts on the back foot, as they lost the momentum which the Accies girls siezed. Monica was now running riot and amazingly goal numbers 2, 3 and 4 followed quickly for the pint-sized goal machine and Accies looked to be on course for a great victory going in 4-2 at the break.
Half-time came at the wrong time for the girls and some shuffling in the back-line led to the momentum swinging back to Hearts who came out all guns blazing. Accies girls were all over the place at this point and looked dead and buried as the Hearts girls went 8-4 up owing to some quick passing and neat finishing.
Accies have been guilty in the past of letting their heads drop when falling behind but the girls deserve massive credit as they staged an incredible comeback with less than 10 minutes left to play.
Captain Courtney Prentice began the fight-back with a great finish from a Darcy Miller corner for 8-5. Things then got really interesting when Rachel Graham pulled it back to 8-6 moments later beating a couple of Hearts players and finishing with aplomb. The momentum had well and truly swung in Accies favour and the girls sensed they could get something from the tie when Courtney grabbed her second with a powerful drive.
Amazingly Lucy Sullivan came off the bench after going off injured to bundle a Monica Smith corner over the line for the equaliser which was greeted with roars from the home fans.
With the final whistle seconds away and Accies in for the kill they were given a corner and a chance for a last gasp victory. With the ball cleared by the Hearts defence and Accies caught upfield chasing the winner a great pass released the Hearts striker who raced through on goal to finish. 9-8 to Hearts and the whistle sounded at the restart.
An absolutely storming cup-tie which both sets of players can be rightly proud of. Heart break for Accies who looked the only team likely to progress at the end. An amazing turn-around from where the girls were in last years’ tie and great credit to the girls as Hearts are undoubtedly the best team they will face all season and they came within a whisker of knocking them out.
HEART-BREAKING ACCIES CUP EXIT
BY: BILL SULLIVAN ON 8/4/16
HAMILTON ACCIES GIRLS WELL ON TOP
BY: BILL SULLIVAN ON 16/4/16
Accies under-13 girls got over their heart-breaking cup exit the previous weekend with a thumping 17-3 win over Motherwell.
Top striker Monica Smith continued her amazing goal-scoring streak with another 5 to take her tally into the 20s - an unbelievable return after only a handful of games.
The girls raced into an early 2-0 lead with 2 trademark poacher finishes from Monica. They should have had more with Motherwell’s keeper standing firm but they let ‘Well back into it and things looked less assured at 2-1 with the keeper’s long kick-outs causing problems. The sticky period didn’t last long though with Monica completing a rapid hat-trick to settle the nerves before adding a 4th after some great build-up play involving Darcy Miller and Rachel Graham.
Accies then really began to turn on the style and looked to be able to score with every attack. Rachel added number 5 with a trademark run and finish. The impressive Darcy made it 6 with a powerful shot. Sub Amy McGhee - who always grabs a goal added number 7 and 8 before Lucy Sullivan scored a long-range free kick that the keeper failed to hold.
Darcy Miller was bossing the middle of the park and she completed her hat-trick with a great double. Monica Smith then made sure no-one would catch her in the goal-scoring stakes by adding a 5th. Any rare ‘Well attacks were being snuffed out by outstanding captain Courtney Prentice, who nullified the long-balls by meeting everything in the air and Lucy Sullivan winning every tackle on the ground. Courtney went on to complete a hat-trick, two of the goals being powerful headers from Darcy Miller corners.
Motherwell managed to pull a couple of goals back as Accies rang the changes but the result was never in doubt with Zoe May grabbing number 16 before the scoring was rounded off by Hannah Gibb to complete a thoroughly deserved victory.
The girls can’t stop scoring just now and have scored over 70 goals in only 5 competitive matches. If they carry on in this form the rest of the teams in the league better watch out...
HAMILTON ACCIES GO INTERNATIONAL
BY: COLETTE CARR ON 3/6/16
Hamilton Accies jetted off to the Netherlands to make their debut at the Telstar Academy Cup against teams from all over the world – becoming the first Scottish club to attend the tournament.
The squad of Under-17s and Under-15s were lead out there by Head of Academy Lynsey Hogg, and 17s coaches Stuart McIntosh and Cammy Cairney, and for many it was their first trip abroad with Accies, and had been “a long time coming”.
Under-17s’ Rachel Howie said; “It’s the first time I’ve been away with Accies, so I’m looking forward to a good experience with the girls. We’ve had extra training and it’s been better, there’s been more meetings putting everything in place and the training tempo has been upped a wee bit more so it’s good.”
For some throughout the squads, there was disappointment as Accies could only travel with a tight squad, making competition for a ticket intense.
“I always wanted to try and get a space, but I was a wee bit nervous because of the quality of the girls chosen in the 23 player squad was really good, but I think I proved myself in the games and training sessions,” Howie explained.
“I was nerve-wracking but it just pushes you to work a lot harder at training and in games to prove yourself to get a place in the squad,” Lucy Hutton added, as Jay Stewart admitted, “There is so much talent in this squad in the 15s and 17s so you definitely had to up your game, and it was difficult so I’m quite impressed that I actually got picked.”
The trip also brings about the unknown quantity of new opposition for the girls, who are expecting a completely different test to back in Scotland.
“I think it’ll be really tough, the tempo will be really high, it’ll be a definite change from our league, but it’ll be good to see the teams abroad and how they play,” Howie explained, as Stewart agreed with, “we all know how teams play here in Scotland, so it’ll be so difficult to see how strong they are compared to us, I think it’ll be a different style of football.”
Lucy Hutton said that despite the challenge it will bring physically, Accies are ready.
“They look really strong so it’ll be good to see how we get on against them, they’re probably just above Celtic or Rangers, and we’ve been doing well against them recently, so I think we just need to work as hard as we can, because it’s going to be hot and game after game so we just need to keep up,” she said, before adding, “it’s been exciting though because we’re building up to something big, that we know we need to work hard for, so training has been hard but in a good way.”
It’s the first time Hamilton have played in the competition, making them the first Scottish side, something that Stewart hopes they can do justice.
“I hope it brings us together, we are a really close team but hopefully it’ll bring us closer together, and try and prove that a Scottish team can win it.
“We’re known for our name and it’s time to go and prove our name”
Howie though, is also looking at the bigger picture, and explained how it could mean a lot more than just this weekend.
She explained; “I think it’ll be really good for girls who want to take their football forward, maybe get to the Prem team or get a scholarship in America it’ll be good to see how they handle being away from home and staying with other girls, and I think it’ll help us play better.”
Another player who travelled with the side is Eve Donald, who described the trip as an opportunity for team building both on and off the pitch.
“It’ll help us as a team because we’ll be playing against taller and older girls so we’ll have to learn how to deal with that, and it’ll be a good teambuilding trip.
“We’ll need to keep our heads up if we concede and just need to keep going even though it’ll be hot and we’ll need to try our hardest,” she added.
Good luck to all the players and staff in Holland from all at Accies!