U17s: Falkirk 0 - Hamilton 4 (1/4/12)

Hamilton Academical Girls 17s travelled to Falkirk minus their two goalkeepers and several outfield players.  However Accies were in no mood to feel sorry for themselves and in a day that would see Accies defender Sam Pattison don the Accies kit for the last time, the team ensured Sam would finish on a high. 

Accies started on the front foot and although they looked under no pressure at the back they were failing to create any clear cut chances.   However midway through the first half Hamilton took the lead through a contender for goal of the season.  Long throw specialist Pattison launched one of her trademark throws which eventually fell to Carolina Richardson at the edge of the box where she launched an acrobatic overhead kick which flew into the top corner with the Falkirk keeper helpless.  The Scotland internationalist will do well to ever score a better goal and the technique was exemplary. 

Accies continued to press forward and soon doubled the lead when striker Hannah Preston did what all good strikers do and followed up when the Falkirk keeper spilled another Accies effort on goal and was on hand to fire the ball into the empty net. 

Falkirk fought hard but could do nothing to stop Accies going in at half time 3-0 ahead when Pattison fed Captain Kim Black who showed great pace and delivered a fantastic cross which Carolina Richardson met brilliantly and bulleted home a header high into the roof of the net. 

Second half saw the introduction of two u15s Sam MacMillan and Clare Campbell who both acquitted themselves very well.  However it was the introduction of Hannah O’Keane in the second half who notched Accies fourth goal from close range.  Manager Jim Erwin said "it was important to bounce back after the defeat by Celtic and the girls showed good character today with so many players ruled out.  It’s always an achievement to keep a clean sheet and if we had been a little more patient in possession I feel we could have added to the score line.  We will continue to work on our decision making and movement on and off the ball.  We were determined to give Sam Pattison a winning send off and I am delighted we did just that but Sam’s departure from football is a big loss, Sam was a pleasure to coach both on and off the pitch with a first class attitude to match a steely determination, a born winner.