Queen's Park vs Hamilton Accies - Preview

Last updated : 08 August 2006 By Andyboy
Billy Stark's Queen's Park side ready themselves for a cup game versus first division opponents tonight, Hamilton Accies coming to Hampden for the CIS Insurance Cup 1st Round match.

Billy Reid is the manager of Accies and he led his side to a highly succesful 1st Division campaign last season finishing in third place behind St Johnstone and champions St Mirren. They were rightly established as one the favourites this season for the division but were trashed 6-0 by Gretna at Raydale Park which underlined the Borders side intentions of promotion to the SPL.

Despite the divisional gap the two sides have met quite often in the past few years. In the 2003/04 Scottish Cup 3rd Round Hamilton travelled to Hampden to face off against new manager Kenny Brannigan's Queen's side. Martin Bonnar (who has since had an unsuccesful stint at Hampden) scored the opener before a John Gemmell double put QP in the lead. A last minute goal by another man who has since played for Queen's, Ally Graham, took the game to a replay at New Douglas Park, which Accies won 3-2.

In last season's Challenge Cup 1st Round, Queen's were beaten comfortably by Accies 3-0 at Hampden in what was the opening game of the season. A repeat of that result will be what Accies are aiming for tonight.

Queen's welcome back defenders Stephen Reilly and Paul Paton from suspension as they do not count in cup competitions while Mark Cairns is again available for selection. Tommy Murray is out of plaster after his foot injury and is due to resume full training soon.

LIKELY LINE UP

Crawford

Paton ---- Reilly ---- Sinclair ---- Dunlop

Kettlewell ---- Quinn ---- Canning ---- Ferry

Carroll ---- Weatherston