Match Report

Wednesday, 20th December, 2023

by Lois Smillie

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 1-3 FALKIRK

It was a top of the table clash on Saturday in League One as Falkirk travelled to South Lanarkshire to face Hamilton Academical.

The Bairns gained the lead halfway into the first half after Stephen Hendrie committed a handball in what was a congested penalty area. Referee Callum Scott awarded Falkirk the penalty and Callumn Morrison stepped up to take the shot, scoring with a right footed strike which grazed the fingertips of Ryan Fulton.

It was a quick turnaround for Hamilton who wasted no time getting themselves back into the game. Seven minutes later saw a mix-up for Nicky Hogarth on the edge of the penalty area which Lewis Smith picked up, and then lofted over the Falkirk defenders to equalise for Hamilton.

However, Hamilton would not be celebrating for very long. On the half hour mark Ross MacIver headed the ball to Calvin Miller who scored a wonder strike from 25 yards, once again giving The Bairns the advantage.

The second half saw the ball in the net again for The Bairns after Brad Spencer's free kick was converted by Captain Coll Donaldson, however the referee disallowed the goal for being offside and the score remained 2-1 in favour of Falkirk.

It wouldn't be until the final ten minutes that Falkirk would kill the game off and secure the three points. Callumn Morrison scored his second goal of the match after latching onto Calvin Miller's searching pass, defeating the Hamilton defender and sending the ball straight past substitute goalkeeper Jamie Smith.

After Saturday's win, Falkirk are now the only undefeated team in the SPFL, and top of the table in League One. 40 points from 12 wins and 4 draws have gotten the Bairns to the top of the league with a game in hand.

FALKIRK LINE-UP: Nicky Hogarth, Tom Lang, Leon McCann, Liam Henderson (sub Ethan Ross), Coll Donaldson (C), Callumn Morrison (sub Gary Oliver), Brad Spencer, Aidan Nesbitt, Finn Yeats, Ross MacIver (sub Jordan Allan), Calvin Miller (sub Alfredo Agyeman)

FALKIRK BENCH: Sam Long, Stephen McGinn, Layton Bisland, Brad McKay, Sean Mackie.

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL LINE-UP: Ryan Fulton (sub Jamie Smith), Jackson Longridge, Jamie Barjonas (sub Euan Henderson), Scott Martin (C) (sub Dylan Tait), Kevin O'Hara, Dario Zanatta (sub Michael Hewitt), Lewis Smith, Kyle MacDonald, Dylan McGowan, Reghan Tumilty, Stephen Hendrie (sub Joel Mumbongo)

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL BENCH: Connor Murray, Joe McGlynn, Cian Newbury.