Annan spring surprise against Hamilton

Posted Sunday, July 15, 2018 by PA

Aidan Smith’s second-half goal proved the difference as Annan upset Hamilton with a 1-0 win in the Betfred Cup.

The League Two side enjoyed their share of the game and claimed the three points after Smith poked in seconds after coming off the bench.

Hamilton were clearly lacking in creativity in the final third, and hit the woodwork twice but were unable to break through a determined defence.

The League Two side settled the better of the two, and should have taken what would have been a deserved lead inside the first 10 minutes.

It was Tommy Muir who blazed over from inside the area, losing his composure after Gary Woods had failed to claim a cross and only succeeded in rushing his shot on the turn with the Accies keeper stranded on the floor.

The visitors gradually began to gain a foothold in the game but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Mickel Miller looked the man most likely, but it was Rakish Bingham who found himself clear after nice interplay between Dougie Imrie and Mason Bloomfield. Bingham’s deflected strike, though, bobbled onto the post.

Imrie then had a shot well blocked by Alex Mitchell from a tight angle but there was little to separate the two teams by half-time.

The deadlock was finally broken on the hour as Smith ran straight off the bench to put the ball in the back of the net after a fine Ryan Sinnamon corner picked him out.

Woods was called into action to deny Smith again before Miller crashed a header against the bar at the other end when he should have scored.

The game fizzled out with Hamilton frustrated against a deep defence, with their lack of creativity exposed in the final third.