Hamilton Academical 0-0 Partick Thistle

Last updated : 31 March 2008 By JagsMad1971

After drawing their previous two league outings 0-0, Thistle's chances of changing that didn't look like changing with a visit to table topping Hamilton who have conceded 3 league goals all season at home. There was two changes in the starting eleven with Willie Kinniburgh replacing the suspended Alan Archibald and Kevin McKinlay brought into replace Stevie Murray to give the side an extra physical threat against a Hamilton side loaded on height.

The first half was a quiet affair with Thistle slightly having the edge and the only chance of note falling to Mark Roberts as he seemed surprised as the ball came to him seven yards out only for him to side foot the ball just wide of the target. The only threat of note from Accies in the first half was a break away which saw Richard Offiong poised to go through on goal only for Willie Kinniburgh to halt his progress, which resulted in a yellow card for Kinniburgh and a free-kick which ultimately led to nothing.

Thistle made one change at half-time with Steven McKeown being subbed for Scott Chaplain.

Into the second half and it seemed as if Hamilton boss Billy Reid's half-time team talk seemed to spur Accies into life. For much of the second half Accies had Thistle camped in their own half for prolonged periods. Accies first real chance of the half was a ferocious drive from young James McCarthy around 25-30 yards out which was tipped over well by Jonathan Tuffey. From the resulting corner, David Elebert saw his bullet header once again tipped over by Tuffey who at this point was coming onto a game. Hamilton continued to press and arguably their best chance of the match came when Gilhaney crossed for Stuart Taylor who saw his close range drive thwarted by the FACE of Jonathan Tuffey. It was now all one way traffic, and Tuffey made another superb save with around 15 minutes remaining when he finger tipped a David Graham drive destined for the top left hand corner of the net. Accies were not done yet and missed a glorious opportunity when Stuart Taylor skied a left footed shot into the stands after a cut back by Offiong after a mix up between Robertson, Kinniburgh and Tuffey had left the Jags defense in no mans land. After that the game peetered out with Tuffey throwing himself at a timid Offiong header in the dying seconds to seal a draw and deny Hamilton, which on any other day would have been extremely convincing win.

Jags Mad MotM: Jonny Tuffey - The Hamilton players lining up to shake his hand after the game says it all, a one man defence for all of the second half, surely the best goalkeeping display by any Jags goalkeeper for a long long time.

Honourable Mention - John Robertson - looked extremely comfortable at RCB, despite the slight mix up at the end. Mopped up everything in sight.

Dis-honourable Mention - Scott Chaplain - Chaplain has stepped up superbly to full-time football, but its clear hes not the type of player suitable for a scrap.