Hamilton Academical 1
Dundee 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

It was a disillusioned Dark Blue support who trooped out of New Douglas Park at the end of a match which contained little goal threat at either end of the park, but importantly - and sadly for Dundee one goal did come, and as had been the case with Partick Thistle's clincher in midweek it came in a simple manner a cross to the far post and a largely uncontested header from an opposing central defender.

Trialist keeper Chad Harper got a hand to David Elebert's 52nd minute effort but couldn't keep it out of the net and Dundee only once looked likely to snatch a draw via an Alex Rae left foot 25 yarder which rattled the upright.

Harper was one of two trialists in the travelling party, the other being the French striker who had faced Thistle in the league opener he had to be content with a seat on the bench at kick off time as Gavin Swankie and Bryan Deasley led the line. New boy Robert Campbell lined up on the left of a five man midfield.

It was a combination that wouldn't get much joy on the New Douglas Park artificial surface, too often a high cross flew over Deasley's head and Swankie got little reward through the centre, although he looked lively on the occasions when he drifted wide right.

The first of those came in 14 minutes when the former Arbroath man got to the bye-line and cut a ball back but Elebert cut it out before Deasley could get anywhere near it.

Ten minutes later a Campbell corner. was flicked on by Callum Macdonald and momentarily it looked as if Swankie would have an opportunity, the ball stuck beneath his feet though and he was crowded out.

In 27 minutes a long throw from Paul Dixon was headed down by Campbell and Kevin McDonald fired a volley narrowly wide. Deasley and Swankie had efforts on target but neither seriously troubled McEwan in the home goal.

Hamilton struck back and neat play between Gilhaney, McArthur and McLeod ended with a weak shot which Harper saved easily. They had a better opportunity three minutes after that effort as Fleming fired a ball forward, McLauglin rose to head it up then fire in a shot across goal, Javier Payo was left holding his head in his hands though as his effort from close range sailed over the bar.

Just before the break Gilhaney again squirmed free and this time he had a shot himself, his angled effort just off target with Harper beaten.

Half time saw the bizarre sight of the Hamilton groundsman watering an artificial pitch, and the even more bizarre sound of Dundee fans booing him, whether it helped the ball hold up at the end the home side were now attacking is debatable but Accies undoubtedly had the better of the opening exchanges as the second period started, and they made their spell of pressure count.

Gilhaney had been easily the most entertaining and dangerous player afield and he picked up a loose ball on the left following a corner and raced to the bye-line before firing a cross to the back post, Elebert rose virtually unchallenged and powered in a header which Harper got to, but couldn't keep out, for what was to prove the only goal of the match.

Dundee regained the ascendancy and pushed forward in numbers, they nearly levelled on the hour after Campbell had advanced down the right and curled in a cross, McLaughlin headed clear but the dropping ball was hit on the volley from 25 yards by Rae, his shot clattering off McEwan's right hand post and away to safety.

Dundee rang the changes to try to force an equaliser, but it wouldn't come and in truth never looked likely to. The closest thing was a drive from Paul Dixon which McEwan almost spilled into the path of the inrushing Deasley and Robertson.

Full time came with Hamilton having earned their first win of the season and Dundee still to get off the mark, it's a situation which the Dark Blues need to change and quickly.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme