On Friday, two Accies directors told me that they had watched training that morning and that Lee Hardy's shooting had been exceptional. When I mentioned that to his manager, wee Billy was dismissive and said that it didn't mean anything if it didn't happen during the game. I remembered that conversation while celebrating Accies 90th minute winner, which came courtesy of a sweet right foot strike by the English substitute.
This was a cruel return to Division 1 for the Angus team, who certainly gave as good as they got throughout the game and were worthy of a point. They were certainly no mugs and had plenty of quality and experience in their side. They also had two former Accies men in their ranks. Paul Ritchie started the game but Stuart Callaghan was on the bench, which led to a bit of good natured ribbing from the Accies fans behind the goal as he warmed up in the first half.
The Accies team showed four changes from the side that had defeated Queens Park last week, with David McEwan back in his usual place between the sticks. John Robertson made his full debut at right back, which meant that Mark McLaughlin was pushed further forward into an unfamiliar midfield role. Accies opened the game quite brightly and had plenty of possession. Their passing was good but they didn't do much to trouble Craig Nelson in the Brechin goal.
The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute when Accies opened the scoring with a nicely taken goal by John Robertson. He was on the receiving end of a superb crossfield pass and ran towards the area, where he played a neat 1-2 with Pat Keogh before shooting low past Nelson and into the bottom corner. Accies probably just about deserved to get the first goal but they had to withstand some severe pressure from the home side before the interval. Charlie King, who was named as the sponsor's man of the match, had an excellent first half and he gave Sandy Hodge plenty to do. Several dangerous crosses were fired into the area, but the combination of the defence and goalkeeper kept Accies in the lead at the break. Accies were helped by a howler of a miss by King, who pulled the ball wide from close range after Dave McEwan had let a shot slip from his hands.
In the early stages of the second half, Accies found it hard to get going and Dave McEwan's goal had several close shaves. It was really no surprise when Brechin scored the equaliser they deserved just after the hour, when Grant Johnson made space on the left hand side of the area and cracked the ball low past McEwan. It could be that this goal stemmed from the fact that Accies had made two substitutions within the previous 5 minutes, with Tom Bennett and Sandy Hodge being replaced by Lee Hardy and Scott Tunbridge respectively. It was great to see Scott back in the hoops after the nasty knee injury that had threatened his Accies career.
Accies had their fair share of attacks too and really the result could have gone either way. John Robertson looked to have suffered a painful injury with 10 minutes left and Paul McLeod came on to replace him. Young Paul did quite well and on one occasion sent over a low cross from the right that Pat Keogh just failed to get to. It seemed that Accies chance of recording a vital opening day win had escaped them, but then they grabbed a superb winner through Lee Hardy. He was set free on the left wing by Pat Keogh and cut inside the Brechin defender before curling the ball past Nelson's despairing dive.
The players, coaching staff and support all went berserk and the long drive home suddenly didn't matter!
It's a well worn cliche that good teams win without playing well. Accies played well at times but they were unable really to get into their stride against a well organised and solid Brechin team, who will certainly cause plenty of problems in Division 1 this season. But you can't ask for more than an opening day away win.
Marvyn Wilson was yellow carded for Accies, as was Stuart Callaghan of Brechin. He came on near the end and committed the two nastiest fouls of the entire match.
www.acciesfc.co.uk
A goal two minutes into stoppage time from substitute Lee Hardy gave Hamilton Accies three points at Brechin.
Hamilton opened the scoring after 19 minutes when John Robertson exchanged passes with Paddy Keogh and poked the ball past Craig Nelson.
Brechin levelled in the 63rd minute when Grant Johnson beat a defender and fired in an impressive strike.
There was heartbreak for Brechin right at the death when Hardy stepped inside David White and placed the ball home.
www.bbc.co.uk