An early 0900 kick off on the synthetic grass at Bent Playing Fields in Hamilton was the order of the day for todays match against Holytown Colts.
Cameron Gibson started partnering Sam Hill up front after his impressive display in last weeks match against Baljaffray.
We were one up straight from kick off, in probably the quickest goal of the season. Holytown took centre and passed back to defense, but the pace of SAM HILL closed the ball down and forced the Holytown player into an error, Sam ran into the box and picked his spot in the bottom corner, one nil after 10 seconds, pretty impressive.
Holytown were penned in their own half for much of the period and our pressure told when Dean Arrol's clearance found CAMERON GIBSON in the clear, his pace outsripped the Holytown defence, and Cameron scored from just outside the box with a powerful finnish. It was 2-0 at the end of the first period.
Thomas McGuire, Lee Elliot and Jamie Cunningham then replaced Cameron Gibson, Gary McCulloch and Chris Park. Holytown started to look a strong team and we could not clear our lines and the ussual good passing moves that have been our trademark this season were missing. We seemed to weather the storm however, and in a rare break away JACK KERR added a third, and performed his ussual jubilant celebration. The third period ended with us 3-0 up.
A couple of more changes were made at the start of the third period and we gained the upper hand again. LIAM CRICHTON finished a great run down the right wing by chipping the out rushing keeper to make it 4-0. Holytown were the awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal which the taker expertly put over the wall and into the net leaving James Kinniburgh with no chance, to make it 4-1.
An injury to Darren Smith weakened the side when he had to limp off, but hopefully it won't be too bad and Darren will be fit for next week. Holytown continued to press until the final whistle but could not add to their tally. At the end it was a hard fought 4-1 victory.
The boys will admit it was not their best performance of the year, however with such an early start and on a surface they don't like, to continue their unbteaten run was impressive.
Next week we have Aston Villa Colts at Hmilton Palace with a 1000 kick off.