MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 10:18:43| >> :600:5953446:5953446:
[monks data]
Attendance: 1,693
Hamilton logo
Scottish League Cup | Group Stage
Jul 20, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Partick Thistle

2-2

Cunningham (17', 54')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Williamson (16'), Gordon (73')
Hamilton win 6-5 on penalties

Hamilton edge Partick Thistle on penalties after Ross Cunningham brace secures draw

Hamilton edge Partick Thistle on penalties after Ross Cunningham brace secures draw
© Reuters
The 21-year-old had previously appeared 17 times off the bench.

Ross Cunningham marked his first Hamilton start with a double as Accies grabbed a bonus-point win against Partick Thistle with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory following a 2-2 draw.

The 21-year-old had previously appeared 17 times off the bench but rewarded home boss Brian Rice's decision to start him as he cancelled out Ryan Williamson's opener before curling home a stunning second.

Shea Gordon squared it up again though before Accies defender Aaron McGowan blew the chance to send Hamilton top of Group F when he blazed over with a penalty.

That sent the game to a shootout, which Accies edged when Jags new-boy Rafa De Vita saw his attempt saved by Owain Fon Williams.

Accies now close to within one point of Gary Caldwell's leaders with one game to play – but the result came at a cost for Rice after Ronan Hughes and Brian Easton both went off injured.

Thistle struck first after McGowan's 16th-minute blunder allowed Williamson to loft a delicate finish over Fon Williams.

But Jags' celebrations were curtailed 60 seconds later when Cunningham turned in the box and drove into the bottom corner.

A hush then fell over the ground as paramedics rushed to attend to Hughes after he crumpled to the deck following a collision with Joe Cardle.

The midfielder was placed in a brace as a precaution before being taken off on a stretcher – with Easton then going off nine after rolling an ankle during the nine-minute long period of added time.

Accies had been out-played during the first period but grabbed the lead on 54 minutes as Cunningham swept a stunning finish into the top corner.

Thistle levelled up with quarter of an hour left as Gordon converted from Lewis Mansell's delivery – but Hamilton blew the chance to retake command almost immediately when McGowan skied a penalty after Sean McGinty dragged down George Oakley.

Thistle pushed for the win but the game went to penalties as Accies held on.

After 11 successful kicks in the shootout, it was Thistle debutant De Vita who was the first to falter.

ID:365603: cacheID:365603:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3319:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brian Rice pictured at Hibs in 2009
Read Next:
Rice lauds academy graduate Smith following victory over Clyde
>
Read more about Ross Cunningham Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1Ayr431010
2Stirling431010
3St Johnstone41033
4Stenhousemuir41033
5Alloa41033

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1Partick32107
2Falkirk32016
3Dundee Utd42026
4Spartans42026
5Peterhead40131

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1Livingston33009
2Hamilton22006
3Cove Rangers32016
4Brechin41033
5Clyde40040

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1Ross County33009
2Morton43019
3Kelty Hearts32016
4Stranraer41033
5Edinburgh40040

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1Airdrieonians440012
2Dundee43019
3Dumbarton31023
4Inverness41033
5Bonnyrigg Rose30030

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1Kilmarnock33009
2Dunfermline32016
3Raith Rovers22006
4Albion Rovers41033
5Annan40040

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
1Motherwell33009
2QotS22006
3Queen's Park41124
4East Fife31114
5Elgin40040

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
1St Mirren43019
2Forfar43019
3Arbroath31023
4Montrose31023
5Cowdenbeath20020


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!