A Sean Dillon header with only twelve minutes remaining was enough for United to take the three points in an exciting evening at New Douglas Park.
By Joe James
United made three changes from the side that drew with Partick Thistle - Blair Spittal, Charlie Telfer and Aidan Connolly coming in for Keith Watson, John Rankin and Chris Erskine who all dropped to the bench.
First half
In the opening minutes of the match both teams looked comfortable in possession of the ball but struggled to create any real chances to open the scoring. The first attempt of the match fell at seven minutes when Charlie Telfer floated a fantastic ball into Ciftci who powered a shot over the cross bar.
Although playing some decent, until the 20th minute, Hamilton too struggled to test Cierzniak. The opportunity came after Ali Crawford looped a corner into the path of Garcia Tena who powered a forceful header over the crossbar.
Despite struggling to break down the stubborn Accies defence United continued to knock the ball around nicely and look a real menace on the break. An example of United’s dangerous counter-attacking play was shown when the influential Telfer floated a long pass into the feet of Ciftci, however, the strikers effort was blasted over the crossbar.
As the first period continued so did United’s snappy and decisive passing in midfield. The Terrors again threatened when another defence splitting pass from Telfer allowed Connolly time and space inside the box and had the wingers shot been more accurate, United would've had arguably a deserved lead.
Just seven minutes before the break, United scored the awaited opener courtesy of a fantastic Stuart Armstrong solo strike. The midfielder received the ball 25 yards from goal before taking a touch and drilling a shot past McGovern and into the bottom corner of the net.
Second half
After only 22 seconds, United again displayed their impressive forward play by adding a swift second to the score line. Armstrong again played a nice pass in behind the Hamilton defence and allowing Mackay-Steven a clear shot on goal that the winger placed into the bottom corner.
United could’ve so easily added another when Ciftci powered into the box and blasted a shot over the crossbar two minutes after Mackay-Steven’s goal.
Just as United were beginning to stamp their authority on the match Hamilton were awarded a free just outside the box. Defender Garcia Tena stepped up to the ball before curling an incredible shot over the wall and into the top corner.
That goal rejuvenated Hamilton and for a while after, United struggled to match Hamilton’s blistering pace and attacking momentum.
After continuous Accies pressure the impressive Crawford scored a fortunate equalizer. Andreu’s pass through the United defence allowed Crawford a one-one-one opportunity with Cierzniak and despite an initial save from the United keeper the ball bounced kindly for the Hamilton midfielder to guide his shot into the empty net.
As the likelihood of a Hamilton winner looked increasingly likely due to the new found confidence within the Accies players, much to the delight of the United team, fans and coaching staff, captain Sean Dillon retained the lead. The defender showed great strength escaping his marker before powering a close-range header from substitute Chris Erskine’s pin-point corner.
Despite a nervy ending to the match in which a defensive mix-up allowed Crawford a shot at a late equalizer, United held on for the three points in a genuinely exciting match.
Man of the match: A solid performance from Charlie Telfer. Influencing United’s attacking play as well as a a strong defensive display.
Hamilton: McGovern, Hendrie (Longridge 46) , Devlin, Gillespie, Imrie, Routledge (Brophy 84), Crawford, Mackinnon, Andreu, Tena (Canning 88), Antoine Curier.
Unused subs: Hill, Watson, Docherty, Redmond.
United: Cierzniak, Spittal, Fojut, Townsend, Butcher, Telfer (Paton 80), Armstrong, Connolly (Erskine 71), Mackay-Steven, Ciftci.
Unused subs: Szromnik, Watson, Rankin, Dow, Coote.
By Joe James
United made three changes from the side that drew with Partick Thistle - Blair Spittal, Charlie Telfer and Aidan Connolly coming in for Keith Watson, John Rankin and Chris Erskine who all dropped to the bench.
First half
In the opening minutes of the match both teams looked comfortable in possession of the ball but struggled to create any real chances to open the scoring. The first attempt of the match fell at seven minutes when Charlie Telfer floated a fantastic ball into Ciftci who powered a shot over the cross bar.
Although playing some decent, until the 20th minute, Hamilton too struggled to test Cierzniak. The opportunity came after Ali Crawford looped a corner into the path of Garcia Tena who powered a forceful header over the crossbar.
Despite struggling to break down the stubborn Accies defence United continued to knock the ball around nicely and look a real menace on the break. An example of United’s dangerous counter-attacking play was shown when the influential Telfer floated a long pass into the feet of Ciftci, however, the strikers effort was blasted over the crossbar.
As the first period continued so did United’s snappy and decisive passing in midfield. The Terrors again threatened when another defence splitting pass from Telfer allowed Connolly time and space inside the box and had the wingers shot been more accurate, United would've had arguably a deserved lead.
Just seven minutes before the break, United scored the awaited opener courtesy of a fantastic Stuart Armstrong solo strike. The midfielder received the ball 25 yards from goal before taking a touch and drilling a shot past McGovern and into the bottom corner of the net.
Second half
After only 22 seconds, United again displayed their impressive forward play by adding a swift second to the score line. Armstrong again played a nice pass in behind the Hamilton defence and allowing Mackay-Steven a clear shot on goal that the winger placed into the bottom corner.
United could’ve so easily added another when Ciftci powered into the box and blasted a shot over the crossbar two minutes after Mackay-Steven’s goal.
Just as United were beginning to stamp their authority on the match Hamilton were awarded a free just outside the box. Defender Garcia Tena stepped up to the ball before curling an incredible shot over the wall and into the top corner.
That goal rejuvenated Hamilton and for a while after, United struggled to match Hamilton’s blistering pace and attacking momentum.
After continuous Accies pressure the impressive Crawford scored a fortunate equalizer. Andreu’s pass through the United defence allowed Crawford a one-one-one opportunity with Cierzniak and despite an initial save from the United keeper the ball bounced kindly for the Hamilton midfielder to guide his shot into the empty net.
As the likelihood of a Hamilton winner looked increasingly likely due to the new found confidence within the Accies players, much to the delight of the United team, fans and coaching staff, captain Sean Dillon retained the lead. The defender showed great strength escaping his marker before powering a close-range header from substitute Chris Erskine’s pin-point corner.
Despite a nervy ending to the match in which a defensive mix-up allowed Crawford a shot at a late equalizer, United held on for the three points in a genuinely exciting match.
Man of the match: A solid performance from Charlie Telfer. Influencing United’s attacking play as well as a a strong defensive display.
Hamilton: McGovern, Hendrie (Longridge 46) , Devlin, Gillespie, Imrie, Routledge (Brophy 84), Crawford, Mackinnon, Andreu, Tena (Canning 88), Antoine Curier.
Unused subs: Hill, Watson, Docherty, Redmond.
United: Cierzniak, Spittal, Fojut, Townsend, Butcher, Telfer (Paton 80), Armstrong, Connolly (Erskine 71), Mackay-Steven, Ciftci.
Unused subs: Szromnik, Watson, Rankin, Dow, Coote.