Hamilton Academical 2
Dundee 1
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Dundee missed out on a top six place, going down 2-1 to Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park this afternoon. Accies held a deserved two goal lead at half time through Ali Crawford and a Garcia Tena penalty. The Dark Blues improved after the break, and pulled a goal back through substitute Gary Harkins, but they had left themselves too much to do after a poor first half.

Dundee made only one enforced change, Craig Wighton started, replacing the injured Rory Loy. Accies made three changes following their defeat at Aberdeen. Tagliapietra, Brophy and Morris came in for Kurakins, Agustien and Diaby.

Accies started off on the front foot, pushing Dundee back and it was five minutes before the Dark Blues could venture into the home half. Hamilton were more eager and urgent in their play, while Dundee couldn't settle into their game in the face of highly effective pressing.

Docherty forced a good save from Scortt Bain, who had to touch his fierce angled drive over the bar. Next Bain had to push a dangerous, curling 20 yard shot from Brophy away for corner. As the Dark Blues were kept under pressure Darren O'Dea had to hook a wicked cross over his own crossbar.

The nearest that Dundee came in a very poor first half was when Greg Stewart picked up a mishit clearance by Accies' keeper Michael McGovern. He played the ball on for Kane Hemmings, whose shot squirmed out of McGovern's grasp and round the post.

When Accies scored just before the half hour there was no arguing that they had earned their lead. A deep cross from the left allowed Docherty to play the ball back into the danger area, and Ali CRAWFORD slammed in the opening goal from 10 yards.

The goal failed to spur the Dee into life and Accies extended their lead four minutes from half time. Docherty tried to wriggle round Etxabeguren on the byline, and when the Dee defender barged him over referee Mr Beaton pointed to the spot. Jesus GARCIA TENA had no problems with the penalty.

A dreadful first half could have become even worse, but Bain saved superbly from Crawford's diving header after Imrie had been allowed too much time to pick his moment to cross.

The Dark Blues were a long way short of the standards they have set themselves in the first half and clearly changes were required. Gary Harkins replaced Craig Wighton at half time and that helped Dundee hold onto the ball in Accies' half. Although Dundee improved and dominated possession, pushing Accies back for most of the second 45 minutes, they were far from their best.

Ten minutes into the second half Julen Etxabeguren was withdrawn and Nicky Low came on to play in left midfield as the Dee switch to 4-3-3, with the full backs pushing hard up the touchlines.

A scrappy game seemed to be drifting away from Dundee when Gary HARKINS gave the Dee a boost with a clever finish just after the hour. After running in from the left and exchanging passes with Hemmings he flicked the ball past McGovern from a difficult angle.

From then on Dundee pushed hard for an equaliser, but they were never in sufficient control to impose their game on Accies. Thomas Konrad's header from Stewart's free kick was saved low on the line by McGovern and that was as close as Dundee came to a second goal.

Dundee might have had the better of the second half, but weren't good enough to break down a Hamilton side who had been given a huge boost to their confidence by their first half performance. At no point in the game could Dundee's midfield settle on the ball, having to fend off furious chasing and pressing from Accies.

The Dark Blues couldn't handle Accies' approach and too often came off second best in the physical battles. The Dark Blues passing wasn't good enough in the face of Hamilton's pressing and their creative, attacking players could never get into the game.

Better defending in the first half might have left the Dee in a position to save the game after half time. However, if Dundee held Celtic with an excellent team performance on Tuesday they lost today because the whole team was below par.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website