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MATCH PREVIEW | Hamilton Accies v RCFC
18/01/2023
This weekend we take our first leap into Scottish Cup action as we travel to Hamilton Accies to take on a familiar face.
Managed by former Staggie, John Rankin, we will be facing off with the Championship side for a place in the fifth-round draw of the 2022/23 Scottish Cup.
TEAM NEWS
With Ben Purrington still sidelined, it was not an easy week for Malky Mackay when he was informed that Ben Paton would be joining the full back in the medical room with an ACL knee injury that will keep the Canadian out for a significant period of time.
Aside from Paton there were no additions to the injury room after last weekends match with Motherwell which leaves County with a strong pool to select from for this one.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Ross County and Hamilton have not done battle since the 2020/21 season when we managed to escape relegation at the expense of this weekend’s hosts.
With 3 wins and 1 defeat to Hamilton in the 2020/21 season it was a strong showing from County with the two sides sitting so close at the time. The first meeting that season was won with a solitary Billy McKay goal with just fifteen minutes remaining on the clock. That was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Hamilton in Dingwall on 22nd December with Ross Callachan and Scott Martin goals clinching the points.
County would win the third meeting of the two in Lanarkshire. After a 16th minute own goal from Stephen Kelly, it was the perfect blend as Jordan White & Billy McKay would notch in a 5-minute spell to turn the game and secure all three points for the Staggies. The fourth & final meeting in Dingwall would effectively seal County’s survival and leave Hamilton rooted at the bottom of the table. Scott McMann had given Hamilton a lead that lasted only 2 minutes before Blair Spittal equalised; Charlie Lakin then stepped up to take aim on the 70th minute as County pulled themselves away from relegation.
THE OPPOSITION
Accies manager John Rankin has made no secret of the fact he is looking to add to his squad after an indifferent start in the cinch Championship that currently sees them sitting bottom of the table.
Although currently sitting at the foot of the table they are only 4 points from Arbroath and 8 points from 8th placed Cove Rangers.
Hamilton are also in to the Semi-Finals of the SPFL Trust Challenge Cup after a 3-2 win over Clyde just one week ago.
The Accies overcame East Kilbride 4-0 in the third round of the Scottish Cup to line up this weekends tie with Ross County.
ATTENDING THE MATCH
