Motherwell 1-4 Hamilton Academical: 10-man hosts thumped by Lanarkshire rivals
- Published
Highlights: Motherwell 1-4 Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical showed they are "desperate to stay in this league" after a derby win over Motherwell, says manager Brian Rice.
A calamitous 45 minutes saw the hosts trail by three goals at the break.
Bruce Anderson, Ross Callachan, Marios Ogkmpoe and David Moyo all hit the target with Stephen O'Donnell sent off.
"It's a great result for us," Rice said. "I thought we were brilliant start to finish. I couldn't ask for any more from my players. I am delighted."
"We added goals and some of our play was exceptional. I'm really proud of that, four different scorers. I did say we would be having a go and I think the boys were magnificent.
"We have had injuries and the shape is looking good. We are looking solid."
The win was Hamilton's sixth in the league this season, their third against below-par Motherwell, who stay ninth.
Hamilton have had the better of this fixture in recent times, winning three of the last four matches, and it could not have started any better for them during a nightmare opening 31 minutes for Motherwell.
Ryan Fulton in the Hamilton goal rarely touched the ball never mind being forced into a save as his forwards made the three points a certainty with a clinical display.
The South Lanarkshire club were looking to build on their 1-1 draw with league leaders Rangers last week and made inroads early on against the Steelmen.
Ogkmpoe linked up well with Callachan, the midfielder finding Anderson free in the box to slot home his first Accies goal.
They then won a penalty when O'Donnell was sent off for a last-man foul on Callachan. The midfielder scored, and when ordered to retake his spot-kick, found the net again.
A first goal since November for Ogkmpoe topped off a terrific opening half for manager Brian Rice, as the Greek striker shifted through the middle to score Accies' third with a powerful low strike.
The visitors dictated play throughout the second half with a mix of possession football and counter-attacking.
Mark O'Hara pulled a goal back for Motherwell with a penalty but the recent renaissance under Graham Alexander had already been firmly stopped in its tracks before Moyo added insult to injury.
Frustrations got the better of the Motherwell manager and he was sent off before the full-time whistle on what was a bad day all round for his team.
Man of the match - Ross Callachan
Ross Callachan (left) scored from the spot to cap an impressive display for the visitors
What did we learn?
Hamilton seem to have Motherwell's number in this fixture. That's now four wins out of the last five meetings with their local rivals, 39% of the South Lanarkshire club's points this season coming against the Fir Park club.
Accies aimed to carry on from their impressive 1-1 draw against Rangers. Not only have they managed that, they have improved upon it, getting maximum points in the first of four back-to-back away fixtures.
It's the most disappointing result of Alexander's Motherwell tenure so far. His players started slowly and the game was beyond them after 31 minutes following three goals conceded and a red card.
What did they say?
Motherwell boss Graham Alexander rues his side's poor first-half performance in Lanarkshire derby defeat
Motherwell manager Graham Alexander: "We had to defend the first goal better. It was such a loose goal to concede. Then the penalty is a double whammy [with a red card for Stephen O'Donnell].
"I asked the boys to show me the character we need going forward. We had to show a response and I think we did that. We have to learn the harsh lessons from the first half. I include myself in that."
Hamilton Academical manager Brian Rice: "We set our stall out early. You saw a team today that are desperate to stay in this league.
"The boys were magnificent. We don't have the finances other teams have. We have lads with heart and spirit. They will give everything to make sure we are in the Premiership next season."
Hamilton head coach Brian Rice says his side are showing how desperate they are to secure top-flight survival
What's next?
Motherwell will look to put this behind them at home to St Johnstone next Saturday (15:00), while Hamilton travel to Paisley on Wednesday night to face St Mirren (18:00)