Hamilton 3-2 Hearts: Match Report

29 August 2015 04:31

Hearts see 100 per cent start to season ended by late Hamilton comeback

Ten-man Hearts saw their 100 per cent start to the Ladbrokes Premiership come to an end at the hands of Hamilton in a thrilling encounter.

Accies took the lead through Gramoz Kurtaj before being pegged back by a Billy King strike. Callum Paterson then fired the Jambos ahead and saw red just five minutes later.

There was more drama to come when Ali Crawford levelled for the home side, before Jesus Garcia Tena grabbed the winner to deny Hearts six wins out of six in the league.

Hearts arrived at New Douglas Park buoyed by a terrific start to the season and with the vocal backing of 2,500 travelling fans.

But it was Accies who almost drew first blood when Crawford tried his luck with a fierce shot that was blocked at the near post by goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

At the other end, Juanma rounded Dougie Imrie before going down on the edge of the box but referee Willie Collum was unimpressed and awarded a goal-kick.

Accies forward Carlton Morris then went to ground under pressure from Igor Rossi in the box but there was no penalty award either.

Jamie Walker had a go with a half-volley that was saved by Michael McGovern, before Crawford forced a one-handed save from Alexander.

Crawford turned provider by releasing Kurtaj through on goal but he stumbled in the box and what could have been a great opportunity was lost.

There was another missed chance from the home side when Grant Gillespie burst through on goal and swiped at fresh air, before Darian MacKinnon blasted over from point-blank range.

But the ball was finally in the net on the stroke of half-time when Alim Ozturk missed a clearance from McGovern and Kurtaj was able to nip in and poke home beyond the Jambos goalkeeper.

Hearts emerged for the second half determined to haul themselves back into the game and were back on level terms after 53 minutes.

Osman Sow's ball from the left found King a few yards out and he rifled high into the back of the net from a few yards out.

The tempo of the game dipped after the equaliser but, just when it all appeared to be a bit flat, Hearts hit Accies with another sucker punch.

King was the provider with a ball from the left that found Paterson unmarked and in plenty of space to lash home a volley from six yards.

But the full-back went from hero to zero in the space of just five minutes when he was sent off for a lunging challenge on MacKinnon.

The red card sparked a melee that led to a flurry of yellow cards on both sides, before the home side levelled.

Crawford let loose with a 35-yard shot that left Alexander with no chance in the Hearts goal on 84 minutes.

Accies then struck again to grab the winner two minutes later, Garcia Tena firing home from a Crawford corner.


Source: PA