By BEN McNICOL
Hamilton moved four points clear of bottom spot in the Premiership with an impressive 2-0 win against Ross County - which cost Staggies boss Stuart Kettlewell his job.
Accies gaffer Brian Rice demanded a “resolute” display from his side going into the crunch clash and he got exactly that as they were well drilled defensively in Dingwall and clinical going forward.
Accies were looking for first win against the Staggies in the Highlands since 2014, where former player and manager Martin Canning headed home the only goal in a narrow 1-0 win, and the long hoodoo ended as superb strikes from midfield pair Ross Callachan and Scott Martin in either half sealed an important three points.
Hamilton claimed their fifth win of the season while Ross County’s troubles deepened as their wait for a first league win since October continues.
And the Staggies board have reacted by sacking Kettlewell in the aftermath.
Rice made two changes from last weekend’s defeat against Hibernian, with Hakeem Odoffin returning from suspension while Nathan Thomas was handed his first Premiership start after his impressive cameos off the bench. Charlie Trafford and Callum Smith both dropped to the bench.
County made three changes from their Betfred Cup quarterfinal defeat to Livingston on Wednesday as Oli Shaw, Jordan Tillson and Keith Watson came in for Regan Charles-Cook, Stephen Kelly, and Harry Paton.
It wouldn’t have taken a genius to realise that this game wasn’t going to be pretty as there was simply too much at stake.
After six minutes, Michael Gardyne would’ve been disappointed not to have opened the scoring.
Ross County FC can confirm that Stuart Kettlewell has been relieved of his duties as Manager.
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) December 19, 2020
Stuart was an ideal appointment for the club given his history and association with the club and we will support Stuart in the coming weeks.
A long ball forward from Callum Morris caught the Accies defence sleeping and Gardyne beat the offside trap and found himself in-behind and after cutting onto his left foot, could only fire into the side-netting.
On 22 minutes, Hamilton grabbed that vital lead when Callachan picked up the ball on the edge of the area and drilled his effort beyond Laidlaw into the bottom left-hand corner.
The opening goal allowed Accies to execute their game plan to perfection and Rice’s men tried to protect their lead and frustrated the Staggies.
However, County should’ve equalised on the stroke of half-time when Watson headed Iain Vigurs corner over the bar.
County piled on a huge amount of pressure on at the beginning of the second half but struggled crack open a very well organised and dogged Accies defence.
Rice’s side doubled their advantage on the counterattack when Scott Martin made a lung-bursting run forward before finishing nicely past a helpless Laidlaw.
The second goal ultimately turned the game on its head as the hosts dropped away rapidly and Hamilton nearly added a third through David Moyo shortly after, but Laidlaw made a fine save from close-range.
The Staggies huffed and puffed in the dying embers. However, it was all about Accies, who put in arguably their best performance of the season so far at a venue where they’ve tended to struggle in recent years.
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