Hamilton4–0Dundee Utd

Following the clash with Dundee on Tuesday evening, United made only two changes, Chris Erskine and Simon Murray coming into the starting eleven in place of Aidan Connolly and Scott Fraser.

In the early stages of the match, the hosts had a real air of confidence and intensity about their game, knocking the ball around swiftly and accurately and working tirelessly without it. Hamilton’s bright start was evident inside the first minute, Ali Crawford curling an effort just wide of the crossbar. As the first half progressed, it became noticeable that United were struggling to find the rhythm, flow or attacking spark that was needed to unlock the solid and composed Accies defence. Just three minutes after United’s opening attack, the Accies opened the scoring. The ever-dangerous Ali Crawford was once again at the forefront, this time driving at the United defence before firing a long distance striker into the bottom corner of Luis Zwick’s net. Thereafter, the Accies really started to stamp their authority on the match, McNamara’s men struggling to cope with the intense pressing game that Martin Canning had installed into his side. This was evident at thirty six minutes when Hamilton doubled their lead, this time Tagliapietra powerfully heading home an Ali Crawford corner. Three minutes after the home side’s second, an unfortunate ricochet from a Souttar pass saw the ball fall invitingly for Carlton Morris, who was then allowed a free run at goal before poking a shot underneath Zwick and into the net for Accies’ third of the afternoon.

It was a far tamer second half, the home side continuing to play some decent football and successfully preserving their lead, whilst United attempted to play with an increased urgency and looked on occasions dangerous when committing numbers forward on the counter attack. Midway through the second period, a dangerous United attack involving Chris Erskine and Blair Spittal saw the latter fire a tight angled shot at goal, forcing McGovern into a fine reaction save. With the game entering its closing stages and the Hamilton supporters and players pretty confident of victory, Chris Erskine again tested the Accies defence, jinking into the box before hitting a low driving effort that McGovern did well to divert from goal. To rub salt in the wounds, with the final kick of the ball Accies added a fourth when Kurtaj caused problems on the left flank before slipping through Christian Nade, who converted easily from close range.

Manager's Comment:
“I'm very angry, frustrated, that's probably the worst half we've had under my watch. They bullied us; we gifted them a few goals as well. We made things hard for ourselves. It's a learning curve for all of us - in every game, whether good or bad, you have to earn the right to play football, If it's a battle to start with, I said to the players, no matter if it's 30 minutes, 40 minutes to get the ball down and play, you have to match the opposition first and foremost, and the first half we didn't do that."

Fan's Comment:
“The less said about this one the better. Probably the worst performance from a United team during McNamara's reign.”

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Captain: Ryan McGowan
Arab Archive 'Man of the Match': John Rankin

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page