Accies off to winning SPL start

Reid: Impressive showing for his men

The hosts recovered from Mark McLaughlin's own-goal to lead at half-time through Tony Stevenson's deflected free-kick and a controversial goal that went in off James McArthur's hand.

But while those goals owed much to fortune, David Graham's 20-yard clincher was as slick as much of their overall play in their first SPL match.

They were well organised and fluent in possession and young midfielders McArthur and James McCarthy showed the invention that has earned them so many admirers.

Their three goals even put them top of the fledgling SPL table and proved last season's superb home record was not dependent on the artificial surface that was replaced with grass in the summer.

Manager Billy Reid kept faith with the players who won the First Division title and they almost made a flying start.

Richard Offiong sent Graham down the right and the former Gretna player cut inside and fired a powerful shot that Lukasz Zaluska acrobatically pushed over the bar.

United, who handed debuts to midfielder Scott Robertson and loan strikers Roy O'Donovan and Warren Feeney, soon put Hamilton under pressure.

But Zaluska was forced to make another smart save at his near post after Lee Wilkie dithered in possession near the touchline, allowing Offiong to cut inside and shoot.

Tomas Cerny then made his first save from a Danny Grainger strike which flashed through a ruck of bodies.

Both sides were producing good passages of football and Hamilton twice came close to a set-piece opener midway through the half.

Zaluska blocked a back-post header from Chris Swailes following McArthur's free-kick and McLaughlin's header was deflected over from the following corner. McLaughlin became the first Hamilton player to score in the SPL in the 23rd minute but it was in his own net.

Willo Flood curled an inswinging cross from the left flank and McLaughlin's diving header flew past Cerny from 12 yards.

However, Hamilton's luck turned six minutes later when Stevenson's 30-yard free-kick took a deflection that deceived Zaluska and brought them level.

And fortune was certainly with them when they took the lead six minutes before the break following another free-kick from the right-back.

Stevenson seemed ready to shoot from a similar distance but he hung a cross to the far post where McLaughlin rose to guide his header towards the far corner.

McArthur stuck his chest out at the ball but it diverted in off his hand. Referee Stuart Dougal mistakenly pointed to his chest as the home side continued their celebrations.

The second half started slowly as Hamilton sat behind the ball but it exploded into life 10 minutes in when Flood's strong diving challenge on McCarthy sparked a melee.

Flood was booked when the atmosphere calmed down and the 17-year-old shrugged off his knock to continue. Graham then saw yellow for diving, but the wide man was soon jumping for joy as he fired home Hamilton's third in the 63rd minute. He collected the ball 20 yards out after Offiong slipped when played through and guided his strike low into the far corner.

Reid used the two-goal cushion to bring on summer signings Mark Corcoran and Lucas Akins, while Francisco Sandaza made his United debut in place of the quiet O'Donovan.

The hosts remained in control and a last-ditch challenge from Sean Dillon prevented the Hamilton subs carving out a shooting chance before McCarthy shot at Zaluska under major pressure.

Cerny was eventually called into second-half action almost half an hour in when he blocked Wilkie's header from a deep corner by sub Danny Swanson, and he soon pushed Sandaza's powerful header past the post despite stumbling.

Hamilton were being pushed back further but almost scored on the break - Zaluska blocked well from Akins following a sublime through-ball by McArthur at the other end and McCarthy fired just wide from the follow-up.

Cerny produced two more impressive stops - pushing over a 25-yard strike by Gomis and then Feeney's close-range header but United's belated pressure failed to stop Hamilton going top of the table on goals scored.