Hearts humbled as Accies extend winning streak

Feb 5 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

JAMES McCarthy inspired Hamilton to a stunning 2-0 win over Hearts at New Douglas Park on Saturday – but said they won’t get carried away.

The win moved Accies into eighth place, behind Motherwell on goal-difference, and 11 points clear of basement battlers Inverness.

McCarthy said: “It was a massive win and it’s great to beat a big club like Hearts.

“It’s great to pick up three points and we’re on a good run, so hopefully we can keep that going.

“That’s five victories in a row at home but we’re not going to get too carried away – there’s still a lot of work to be done.

“We’ve got the most amount of points we’ve ever had in the top flight and there are 14 games to go. It’s been a great start, but we’ll just keep working away and the gaffer, Billy Reid, will keep our feet on the ground.”

Simon Mensing took his tally to four in as many games and over the piece this win was richly deserved. Hearts didn’t really turn up on the day, but take nothing away from Hamilton, who were on outstanding form and stopped the Tynecastle side from playing.

Hamilton started well and inside the opening six minutes Andy Driver was forced to clear from McCarthy before a Brian Easton corner was headed away from Martin Canning, who was lurking with intent at the left post.

Hamilton took the lead in 12 minutes when Easton’s short corner to James McArthur on the right was returned to him and his cross was headed past Jamie MacDonald by Mensing.

Hearts nearly levelled in 17 minutes when David Obua’s curling effort from the right was flicked on by Michael Stewart, but it crashed off the base of the left post and away to safety.

Stewart went close again in 31 minutes, first controlling a Bruno Aguiar cross from the left before meeting it with a half-volley that Tomas Cerny superbly blocked at point-blank range.

Paul McGowan gave MacDonald a worrying moment on 35 minutes when his shot from the right crashed off the near post before the grateful keeper was able to grasp it.

Hearts nearly levelled five minutes from the interval when Obua’s dipping effort was superbly tipped over by Cerny.

Hamilton started the second half well and Mark McLaughlin saw his header from an Easton corner punched off the line by MacDonald in 49 minutes.

Hamilton wrapped up the points in 51 minutes when Easton’s chip sent McCarthy darting into the box on the left and as he took on Robbie Neilson the Hearts captain crudely pulled him to the ground, with referee Eddie Smith immediately pointing to the spot.

Although MacDonald guessed the right way, Mensing’s penalty was drilled underneath the keeper and into the bottom right corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Driver and Stewart had efforts on target but without troubling Cerny, while Richard Offiong headed an Easton corner inches past the left post in 61 minutes.

Driver sent Obua through seven minutes later, but his shot was parried past for a corner.

Stewart had another tame effort saved before sub Laryea Kingston sliced well wide from a good position in 73 minutes.

Accies sub Derek Lyle was unlucky to see his looping header well saved by MacDonald following good set-up play by Joel Thomas.

HAMILTON: Cerny, Easton, McCarthy, McLaughlin, McArthur, Offiong (Thomas, 66), Neil, McGowan (Lyle, 59), Canning, McClenahan, Mensing. Subs (not used): Murdoch, Deuchar, Swailes, Gibson, Gow. Booked: Offiong.

HEARTS: MacDonald, Neilson (Elliot, 83), Wallace, Karipidis, Aguiar (Kingston, 66), Driver, Nade (Glen, 81), Obua, Jonsson, Stewart, Zaliukas. Subs (not used): Kello, Thomson, Mrowiel, Templeton. Booked: Obua.

Referee: Eddie Smith.

Attendance: 3567.

Advertiser Man of the Match: James McCarthy – young midfielder was a joy to watch at times.