Cup Final (John Rae Trophy)
Saturday 12 May
Pursuers will play in the John Rae Cup Final on Saturday 12 May (9.30am), to be held at Hamilton Academical's stadium. More details below »
All supporters, family and friends are reminded that no alcohol will be allowed into the ground Players are reminded that it is the clubs responsibility to ensure that there supporters, family and friends behave in the appropriate manner. Post match analysis at the State Bar, Holland Street, at 1.30pm.
Pursuers 1 v 4 Renfrew Town
Saturday 14 April
For the second week in a row Pursuers conceded 4 goals. Kick off was at 10am and by 10:20 this game was over as Renfrew scored 3 times. Pursuers competed better in the second half and got a consilation goal through Kane (aye right!)
Pursuers top 3 as chosen by Ben Mir:-
- 3pts Davie McFarlane
- 2pts Robert Dawson
- 1pt Martin McKinlay
Pursuers 0 v 4 Kilpatrick Thistle
Saturday 7 April
Pursuers title ambitions appear to have all but faded as they were in the end comfortably beaten by Kilpatrick Thistle.
After been beaten 4-0 the last time the sides met Pursuers set out in a defensive 4-5-1 formation and despite all of Kilpatrick Thistles possession were still well in the game at half time have lost one goal.
Pursuers then tries to get themselves back in the game by bringing on another striker in the shape of Kane.
As Pursuers attempted to get something out of the game they lost 3 goals in the second half.
Pursuers top 3 this week as chosen by K McCann.......to follow
The road to Hamilton (almost Hampden) for the John Rae Trophy Final
April 2007
Pursuers John Rae Trophy Final will be played at New Douglas Park, home of Hamilton Academical FC with a 9.30am KO on Saturday 12 May
All supporters, family and friends are reminded that no alcohol will be allowed into the ground Players are reminded that it is the clubs responsibility to ensure that there supporters, family and friends behave in the appropriate manner. Keep your bad behaviour until The State Bar Holland Street from 1:30pm for some post match analysis!
Hamilton Accies ground on a rare sunny day
Directions to the ground :
Whether approaching Hamilton from North or South, leave the M74 at junction 5, normally signed for East Kilbride . This will take you onto the Raith Interchange, which can get a bit hairy at rush hour but should be OK for football traffic. (If you're coming down from East Kilbride or using the Bellshill bypass to arrive from the East then you should also use the same roundabout).
From there, follow the signs for Hamilton, which should take you onto Bothwell Road, with the Sewerage Works, Cat and Dog Home and Racecourse on your left and the Fire Brigade HQ on your right. At the first set of traffic lights, turn right into Caird Street towards the Retail Park . The car park which can be used by visitors belongs to South Lanarkshire Council and is about 200 yards along the road on your left.
To get to the stadium, turn right into New Park St and then continue onto Auchinraith Avenue past Morrisons. if you turn left at the next mini roundabout, the short road leads you to the stadium car park, although spaces on match day are only available to club officials, guests and those displaying a current parking for the disabled permit.
Pursuers 0 v 1 Strathclyde University
Saturday 31 March
Pursuers crashed at home against a well organised Uni side. Pursures made more cler cut chances but failed to convert in front of goal.
Pursuers top 3 this week as choosen by R Dawson
- 3pts J Clark - Made a real difference when he came off the bench
- 2pts J McKinnon - Another fine penalty save
- 1pt F Komolafe - Another solid game at the back
Pursuers 2 v 2 Parklife
Saturday 24 March
Pursuers yet again failed to take all 3 points and at the end of the day can be greatful they managed to pick up 1.
Pursuers failure to make simple passes throughout the team seen them go i at half time 1-0 down. Things looked even worse when Parklife extended their lead after the re-start.
A driven cross by S Komolafe was deflected into the goal by the hand of a Parklife player to make it 2-1.
With 5 minutes to go Pursuers changed their formation to 2-4-4 in a bid to take atleast a point.
A corner by Mir was floated into the near post an missed by the Parklife goalie, Dawson headered into the net with less than 1 minute remaining.
Pursuers top 3 this week as choosen by J Clark:-
- 3pts R Dawson
- 2pts B Mir
- 1pt D McFarlane
Pursuers 1 v 4 Strathclyde University
Saturday 17 March
Pursuers were brought back down to earth with a bang by a Uni side that out passed and out ran the Pursuers throughout the 90 minutes. Surprisingly the score remained 0-0 at half time.
Strathclyde Uni took advantage in the second half with 4 goals. A strike by B Wilson was Pursuers only reply.
Pursuers top three as chosen by Martin McKinlay:-
- 3pts F Komolafe
- 2pts K Kane Kevin, this is not a mistake!
- 1pt G Cunningham
Pursuers 7 v 1 Hamilton Wanderers
Saturday 10 March
After last weeks cup semi final success it was back to league business for the Pursuers. The match was all over by half time as goals from Sexton (2) White and McKinlay (2) see Pursuers take a 0-5 lead in at the break.
A further 2 goals in the second half from McLeish and Dawson seen the final score Wanders 1 Pursuers 7.
Top men this week as chosen be F Komolafe:-
- 3pts C McLeish - Lots of running, passion, passing and confidence.
- 2pts K Sexton - Nipped in with a couple of goals after a mysterious illness last week
- 1pt J White - Good goal and excellent passing and vision.
Pursuers 1 v 0 AFC Columba
Saturday 3 March
Pursuers reached the final of the John Rae Trophy with a hard fought victory over 1st division side Columba.
Pursuers took the lead after fifteen minutes when a long free kick into the Columba box was met by Kevin McCann who's effort hit the post, the rebound was duly dispatched by centre forward and birthday boy S Komolafe. Columba had their chances in the second half playing down the hill though one controversial penalty and one stone wall penalty duly given away by Byrne. Columba missed the target with the first but the second was superbly saved by J McKinnon.
Pursuers now face Club Sporting in the final - date TBC.
Pursuers top 3 this week as chosen by David Mcleish
- 3pts K McCann - Was causing Columba problems coming forward from the back in the first half and kept the door shut in the second.
- 2pts J McKinnon - How many more times will we hear about that save!
- 1pt R Dawson - Helped keep Columba out in the second half - Was unlucky with the first penalty.
Pursuers 2 v 1 Crosslands
Saturday 17 Feb
Pursuers moved to the top of the league and made it two wins on the bounce with a 2-1 victory over Crosslands at Blairdardie.
The early part of the game saw Pursuers creating plenty chances and it was no surprise when White gave them the lead with a cool finish after a good ball through from Sexton. Crosslands were putting in some wild tackles and Pursuers were reduced to 10 men after Sexton was sent off for retaliation and things went from bad to worse when keeper McKinnon was caught in the head by a stray Crosslands boot and, even with the healing quality of Kia-Ora being poured over the wound, had to go off. McKinlay went in the sticks and didn't have a chance when Crosslands equalised from a corner just before half time.
Pursuers continued to play the better football in the second half despite being a man down and got their reward when Byrne knocked the ball into the bottom corner after a good ball in from J McLeish. Post match entertainment was provided by Ben "Balboa" Mir!
Pursuers top men this week as chosen by M McKinlay:-....
3pts Chris Byrne
2pts Chris McLeish
1pt John McLeish
Pursuers 1 v 0 Andrew Watt
Saturday 10 Feb
Pursuers top 3
3 pts - K McCann
2 pt - J McLeish
1 pt - K Sexton
Pursuers 1 v 2 Club Sporting
Saturday 3 Feb
Top 3 a chosen by Chris McLeish
3 pts Femi Komolafe
2 pts Kevin McCann
1 pt James McLaren
Pursuers 1 v 0 Strathclyde University
Saturday 27 January 2007
A goal from player manager McKinlay see Pursuers reach the semi final of the John Rae Trophy. The fact that 3 of the back 4 are featured as our best players probably says it all.
3pts John McKinnon
2pts Kevin McCann
1pt Femi Komolafe
Pursuers 1 v 2 DS Street League
Saturday 6 January 2007 Vital 3 points dropped in the league:-
Top 3 as chosen by the injured John McKinnon
3pts Femi Komolafe
2pts Chris McLeish
1pt Jon McLeish
Pursuers 3 v 1 Crosslands
Saturday 2 December 2006
Pursuers went into the 2nd Round of the John Rae Trophy after overcoming Crosslands at a wet and windy Glasgow Green.
At half time the sides were separated by a typical John McLeish finish into the bottom right hand corner, which they probably just about deserved having already missed 2 clear cut chances in the opening minutes.
A second half thunder bolt from McCann and a 2 inch tap in from C Mcleish.... or was it the other way round, seen Pursuers finish the job.
Pursuers top men this week as chosen by R Dawson
- 3pts - Chris McLeish - Never stopped running and got his reward with a goal.
- 2pts - Chris Byrne - Gave his all and took cramp after an hour - Must have been the heat Chris !
- 1pt - John Mcleish - Just think how much more energy he'd have if he kept his mouth shut !
Pursuers 2 v 1 Parklife
Saturday 18 November 2006
Pursuers went to the top of the table on Saturday despite what was one of their worst footballing performances of the season.
A first half header from J McLeish was the difference between the sides at half time with very little football being played by either side.
Five minutes of real effort by White saw Pursuers staring to dominate and a cross from him lead to a simple tap in for player/boss McKinlay to make it two.
Five minutes later and Pursuers were down to 10 after a penalty box "tussle" lead to an early shower for Dawson.
Parklife made it 2-1 shortly thereafter and then hit the post but Pursuers held on for another 3 points to take them to the top of the table.
Pursuers had 15 bodies in the squad this week which didn't include K Sexton who was apparently busy with a "lovely" on Saturday morning. All the boys are now waiting to find out what his name was..........
Pursuers Top Men this week as chosen and commented on by J McLaren
- 3pts (It pains me to say it) Jon McLeish, as usual 100% effort and didn't stop running. Another crucial goal...how good would he be if only he would learn to shout encouragement !
- 2pts Femi Komolafe same old dependable Femi, rock solid at the back, coped with everything he had to and seems to have acquired something of a throw in.
- 1pt Chris McLeish deserves a mention on effort alone, has had better games but on a day when most of the team struggled to get pass marks he was the best of a not too bad lot.
Pursuers 8 v 2 Hamilton Wanderers
Saturday 04 November 2006
This weeks contest against basement side Wanderers was all but over 15 minutes after kick off - Which was 5 minutes before the Wanderers goalie decided to turn up!
2 goals from J Mcleish, one from Sexton and a thunder bolt from Cunningham saw Pursuers go in 4-1 up at half time.
Pursuers continued to score throughout the second half with another 2 from J Mcleish and 2 from Sexton rounding off a comfortable victory for the pursuers.
Pursuers top men this week as chosen by Kenny Rankine
- 3 pts - J McLeish - 4 goals and a pile of running - enough said
- 2pts J McKinnon - Skipped passed a couple of forwards in a attempt to get himself on the score sheet, but to no avail. Could do nothing about either goal.
- 1pt - K Sexton - played first half in the midfield and the second half up front and bagged himself a hatrick in the process.
Glasgow Athletic 3 Pursuers 2
Saturday 28 October 2006
Pursuers found themselves down to the bare 11 this week and with only 2 recognised defenders available the 1st Division leaders on paper should have been able to win this GDSML Cup 1st round tie with ease, but it wasn't to be like that. A "thunder bolt" header from midfielder dynamo Kenny Sexton seen Pursuers take the lead and it stayed that way until half time.
The usual mistakes then followed and with 15 minutes left Pursuers were 3-1 down. A goal by S Komolafe seen Pursuers make it 3-2 and with 5 minutes left a back heel from 56 year old Kevin Kane into the path of Jon McLeish saw Pursuers miss from at least 4 yards out.
Pursuers top men this week as chosen by Kevin "The Boot Luver" McCann:-
- 3pts - Kenny Sexton - the forward put in a great shift in the middle of the park and if you've got 2 hours he'll convince you that he knew all about that thunder bolt header.
- 2pts - Segun Komolafe - Another good shift from the forward who at last hit the target !
- 1 pt - J White - One of the few Pursuers who caused GA major problems at the back
Special mention to G Cunningham and B Wilson who both became dad's (again in the first instance) during the week. See you both next Saturday when Pursuers take on Hamilton Wanderers.
Pursuers 3 v 3 Garnethill
Saturday 21 October 2006
Garnethill lost their 100% record to Pursuers on Saturday. Pursuers took the lead through White who tapped in from a Mir Corner. Garnethill then equalised before half time. Second half goals from White and substitute Sexton were levelled up on each occasion by Garnethill, their 3rd coming with less the 5 minutes remaining.
Pursuers top men this week as chosen by John "The Goalie" McKinnon
- 3pts K McCann - Playing as a trialist this week never put a foot wrong. Still negotiating his signing on terms, something about him wanting a car with a big boot ???
- 2pts - F Komolafe - Becoming Mr consistency at the back.
- 1pt - B Mir - Starting to show what you can do when you try hard and listen!
Pursuers 3 v 3 Deanpark
Saturday 14 October 2006
Goals from White (2) and Sexton ensured that Pursuers got a share of the points against an improved Deanpark. A penalty miss from J McLeish in the first half could have seen the Pursuers 2 up but a share of the points was probably a fair result.
Pursuers top men this week as chosen by Pursuers No 1 Fan - Davie McFarlane
- 3 pts - Ben Mir - Has improved immensely since his half time barney earlier in the season.
- 2 pts - Robert Dawson - Another top 3 finish for the sweeper.
- 1pt - Femi Komolafe - Keeps improving with each game at the back.
Pursuers 4 v 3 Crosslands
Saturday 07 October 2006
Pursuers did their best to throw away all three points on Saturday. Having got themselves 3-0 ahead after 50 minutes through goals from White and Sexton (2) they then hit the panic button and conceded twice in 10 minutes. A goal from McKinlay seen a two goal advantage restored before Crosslands got another to make it a nervous final 10 minutes.
Pursuers top men this week - As chosen by J McLeish.
3 pts - C McLeish - Ran and tackled for the entire 90 minutes in the engine room of the team.
2pts - F Komolafe - Solid at the back - Never made a mistake
1pt - R Dawson - Came onto a game in the final 15..... when it mattered.
Pursuers 2 v 3 Club Sporting
Saturday 30 September 2006
Pursuers ended pointless after a hard 90 minutes against CS.
The scores were level at half time - CS had taken the lead after Pursuers were left one short at the back and Cunning was left with 2 CS attackers. Pursuers levelled it up after the ball was driven across the box by Sexton and put into the net by a CS defender.
Second half seen CS take the lead after a mistake by Mohan allowed the CS forward to shoot past the helpless McKinnon.
Pursuers drew level when a shot by White came back off the bar and J McLeish duly obliged.
Pursuers then failed to clear there lines and found themselves 3-2 down.
Pursures had further chances through S Komolafe a horrific miss and McKinlay a great save.
Pursuers are away to Crossland next Saturday 7 October.
Pursuers Top Men this week as chosen by S Komolafe
3pts - Dawson - Sweeping up at the back again, this time without any horrific mistakes!
2pts - C McLeish - Did a pile of running from the middle of the park.
1pt - J McLeish - Worked harder than anyone else and popped up with another goal.
Pursuers 3 v 2 Andrew Watt
Saturday 16 September 2006
Pursuers got their league campaign off to a flyer with a victory over Andrew watt - But they did it the hard way. After gifting Andrew Watt 2 goals in the first half only a thunder bolt from Byrne kept them in it at half time.
Second half seen Andrew Watt reduced to 10 men after a scuffle after the ball had gone out of play for a bye kick and another top class finish from Byrne, this time into the top corner from 18 yards.
Pursuers were then reduced to 10 men this time due to an injury to debut boy Heeps after they had used all their subs.
The winners came from the spot as Sexton was bundled to the ground the ever reliable and this week injured J Mcleish stepped up to secure all 3 points for Pursuers.
Pursuers top 3 men this week as selected by Brian Mohan
- 3 pts Chris Byrne - Played out of position in the middle of the park and came up with two cracking goals. Has even taken to heading the ball this season
- 2 pts Robert Dawson - Despite being at fault for the first goal stepped up into the middle when were were 2-1 down and then back to sweeper 15 minutes later when we were winning 3-2, much to the amusement of McKinlay
- 1pt Kenny Sexton - A good first game of the season after spending some time with dodgy ladies - Will only get better when the rash clears up!
Pursuers 2 v 1 Bellahouston
(pre-season friendly)
(Saturday 2 September 2006 )
Pursuers saw off 1st Division side Bellahouston in their last pre-season friendly before the season starts next week. Pursuers went 1 down inside 20 minutes when lack of talking at the back left stand-in goalie Cunningham outside his box. The Bellahouston forward was left with a simple tap in into the bottom corner. 5 Minutes later Pursuers were forced into a substitution when Wilson had a clash of heads with a Ballahouston midfielder - a trip to the hospital for some stitches soon followed. Pursuers made it 2 goals in 2 minutes through J McLeish and S Komolafe just before half time.
Pursuers failed to keep the ball in the second half but equally never looked like losing one.
Pursuers top men this week as chosen by F Komolafe.
3pts - G Cunningham - Stand in goalie for the day, punched everything in the air and held most shots - Has he found his true vocation for the Pursuers????
2 pts - R Dawson - Back sweeping up behind two solid markers after a week in the sun.
1pt - Chris Byrne - Playing against one of Bellahouston's best players, made sure he had limited chances to get running at the Pursuers defenced - A solid performance.
Pursuers 1 v 2 Kilpatrick Thistle (cup result)
Saturday 26 August
Pursuers got their League Cup challenge off to the worst possible start going down 2-1 to dismisal new boys Kilpatrick Thistle.
Pursuers took the lead mid way through the first half with a goal from J White.
Half time saw 10 minutes of arguing amongst themselves before walking back onto the park with everyone apparently not talking to anyone else in the team.
Midway through the second half witnessed the decision that would change the game, a free kick award the Kilpatrick Thistle on the edge of the area and the dismissal of C McLeish. The resultant free kick was then duly dispatched into the bottom left hand corner. Pursuers continued to make chances, but when a looping cross from a Thistle player went over the head of the Pursuers keeper it was never going to be Pursuers day. The match was then to become a 10 a side affair when a Thistle player was send off for violent conduct but even after winning 6 corners in the last 2 minutes Pursuers were unable to find an equaliser.
Pursuers must now win next Saturday against Crosslands to have any chance of progressing in the League Cup.
Pursuers men of the match (as chosen by the sidelined C McLeish):
- 3pts - Dawson - Another 90 minutes for the sweeper - Even managed to pass the ball second half.
- 2 pts - J McLeish - Lots of movement with both his feet and mouth!
- 1pt - Chris "The Wilson" Byrne - Never lost a tackle or gave the ball away the entire 90 minutes.
Pursuers 1 v 2 Kilpatrick Thistle (pre-season friendly)
Saturday 19 August
Pursuers first friendly of the new season seen them take on GDSML new boys Kilpatrick Thistle on the astro turf at Stepford Road. Goals from Mir, J McLeish, White (2) seen them take a 4-1 lead at one point. With Kilpatrick Thistle having most of the chances in the second half Pursures will clearly have to work on their fitness over the coming week of they are to improve on last seasons league position.
Pursuers man of the match (as chosen by Chris Byrne):
3 Points Robert Dawson - Another solid 90 minutes from the centre half.
2 Points John McLeish - An hour of constant running from the midfielder topped off with a goal. One of the few who looked fit out there.
1 Point - Segun Komolafe - Looked strong and bullied the Kilpatrick Thistle back 4 throughout his time on the pitch.
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| McKinlay finally gets the top job. |
McKinlay draws the short straw
July 2006
The managerial roulette wheel spins round to Martin McKinlay, for season 2006-2007.
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