[Report by D Kavanagh]
The Accies travelled to Keelover looking to avenge an turnover earlier in the season and overtake Keelover on goal difference in the ‘mini-league’ emerging at the top of the division. Unfortunately the day didn’t go as planned.
Keelover put out a stronger side than when the sides previously met but it was the Accies that had the early pressure. The home side were trying to play it out from the back and twice got caught in quick succession resulting in a couple of snapshots, one from Jamie and one from Dan Kav but neither troubled the keeper.
On 15 minutes the referee gave a penalty to Keelover in the first attack of the game. There were no appeals from the opposition and Accies played on until it became obvious what had happened. A bizarre decision and the last thing the Accies needed. Godders got a strong hand to the resulting spot kick but it span back agonisingly over the line.
Accies pressed again though and Swifty gambled on a ball over the top and got there ahead of the keeper but couldn’t keep his shot down from a tight angle. Bully was working hard up front as were all the midfield. Reedy was mopping everything up at the back but lost his central defensive partner on 25 minutes as Bondy pulled up. Tony came on at right back and Ryan moved into the centre half slot. Stan was having another solid game with little getting past him.
On 35 minutes Keelover scored again. It was against the run of play; even though they were passing it round well they were not creating chances and the Accies were having more shots albeit not really testing the home keeper. This time their midfielder was allowed to advance unchallenged and put a hopeful ball into the box which eluded everyone and reached the forward at the back post who scuffed his shot completely and it sailed over Godders and landed in the back of the net.
Half time 0 -2
The Accies went forward immediately and had two quick-fire chances. First Swifty ran through after Jamie’s ball over the top caused confusion in the awkward sunlight, the keeper pulled off a terrific one handed point blank save; then Fozzy was put through by Dan Kav but delayed his shot on his left side allowing the defender to come across and block the shot. A couple of corners flashed across the goal line but the Accies just couldn’t get a toe on it to bring themselves back into the game.
It was getting very frustrating as a goal in this period would have changed the game. Instead it was Keelover that scored again with their only shot of note in the second period. A couple of ricochets fell kindly to their sub who blasted it into the net from close range and it was effectively game over. Yet again Godders hasn’t had a save to make and only touched the ball when picking it out of the net.
A bitter defeat to taste and frustrating to say the least as the score did not reflect the game or equality of the teams.
A couple of tricky fixtures next take on even more importance if the Accies are serious about getting out of the division
