BERNARD THOMPSON AT NEW DOUGLAS PARK
Sunday August 22 2004, The Sunday Times
The 1-0 scoreline may imply a close encounter and there were chances for both sides. In terms of quality, however, Hamilton Academical found that star performers in the lower division can become journeymen in another league.
The vital goal came from Juan Ramon Escales in the 31st minute. Jean-Yves Anis played in a fine pass which found Escales in the Accies penalty area. He killed the ball and threw a feint which deceived Hamilton’s David McEwan, before dispatching his chance like a player anticipating greater things in the future.
In the ninth minute, home striker Brian Carrigan fired a shot wide, but Hamilton never truly threatened the visitors.
In the second half the disparity was greater still, with Thistle finding certainty in their play as some Hamilton players toiled.
Escales again caused problems in the 61st minute and laid on a gift that Leigh Hinds casually scorned. The Thistle strikers’ roles were reversed 12 minutes later, Hinds this time finding Escales, who shot wide.
Hinds was later replaced by Armand Oné, who was strong on the ball but weak in his understanding of the offside rule. But with Hamilton’s key players struggling, Derek Whyte and Gerry Britton, the co-managers of Partick, would have enjoyed a match that may say much of the relative aspirations of the two teams in the season ahead.
Hamilton: McEwan, Walker, Thomson, McLaughlin, Waddell, Hamilton, Aitken, Tunbridge (Blackadder 64min) Carrigan (Convery 74min), Keogh, Corcoran
Partick T: Arthur; Gibson, Dowie, Murray, Anis, Milne (Panther 79min), Fulton, Mitchell, Fleming, Escales, Hinds (Oné 75min)
Scorer: Escales 31
Referee: C Thomson
Attendance: 3,543
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