BILLY Reid and his Hamilton Accies team have clearly acquired a taste for life at the top. Last night's 3-1 win over Dundee United shot the newcomers to the summit of the Scottish Premier League, and maintains a remarkable run of success.
Hamilton went top of the First Division on the first day of last season, and never left that lofty position again. The sensation of being able to look down on their rivals is not one they wish to lose, and last night's emphatic victory came after Ham
ilton had conceded the opening goal. "We were top of the league after one game last season," pointed out Reid afterwards. "Let's hope we can continue like we did then. But this will mean nothing if we don't perform as we know we can on Saturday."
Hamilton's next challenge is away at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, in what can be accurately described as a top-of-the-league clash. They can enjoy the positives of this victory today at least. "I don't think it could have gone any better," said Reid, whose side scored a second goal when James McArthur helped the ball in with his hand. Referee Stuart Dougal failed to spot this infringement, however, and the goal stood.
Mark McLaughlin, who had earlier scored an own goal, struck a firm header goalwards, and the ball looked set to cross the line in any case. McArthur later said that he had claimed the goal, but McLaughlin's determination to reach Tony Stevenson's free-kick was the significant factor. Stevenson himself had scored Hamilton's equaliser and David Graham added a third. "This was a big test against a good Dundee United side, and we passed with flying colours," said Reid.
Craig Levein, his opposite number, might have argued with him on the first point. It was not a good United side he saw last night, and the manager later described United's performance as the poorest in his time as manager at Tannadice.
"That was the worst we have played without a doubt," he said. "We were absolutely terrible, particularly in defence. If Hamilton were in anyway overawed by the occasion, then we quickly put them at ease."
The full article contains 374 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
