Hamilton need positive result against Partick - Gary Doctor
Midweek result crucial after Hamilton lose 1-0 at home to St Johnstone
Hamilton “need to pull out a result” against Partick Thistle on Wednesday admitted head coach Gary doctor after his side lost 1-0 to St Johnstone on Sunday at New Douglas Park.
An early Rachel Todd goal left Accies floundering in fourth in SWPL 2 after Partick Thistle and Dundee United both won.
Hamiton face second-place Partick in midweek, trailing the Jags by three points with five games to go.
“I think the whole thing is still in our own hands with having to play Partick, Aberdeen and Dundee Utd, but that is the next three fixtures so that is going to be really hard,” Doctor told Anyone’s Game.
“It is always unlikely you are going to win every game. We need to just put it behind us a pull out a result on Wednesday.”
It was a match where Hamilton hit everything but the back of the net. A combination of poor finishing, good goal keeping and the woodwork denied Hamilton taking anything from this one ensuring all three points headed to Perth.
Doctor said “[We] missed chances without hitting the target. A lot of clear cut chances but we have not worked the goalkeeper from a lot of really good positions.
“I cant really ask more on how the players applied themselves.”
Hamilton started with an Ellie Kane shot wide of target in the first few seconds, but soon found themselves a goal down a slack pass ended up at the feet of Todd who composed herself and slotted home past Lauren Grant.
The home side could not find any rhythm in the opening exchanges with a lot of passes going astray.
Lauren Evans headed wide with the goal gaping and Kathleen McGovern hit the crossbar from 12 yards.
The second half saw a much improved Hamilton. They missed chances through
Hamilton missed chances through Giard, McGovern and Quigley before having a huge shout for a penalty when the ball appeared to cannon off the arm of a Saints defender. The referee waved play on with all the Accies players appealing.
Quigley cannoned a 20 yarder off the crossbar but it was just not going to be Hamilton’s day.
Anyone’s Game Player of the match – St Johnstone’s Ria Tweedie.
The Saints captain led by example, made some telling challenges, tried to push her side forward and very vocally supported her side.
Special mention – Hamilton’s MT Gardiner A constant threat all day, tried to make things happen and made her 50th start for the Accies.