Porter ordered off as Steelmen lose derby clash

Oct 1 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

HAMILTON inflicted more misery on Motherwell last Wednesday when they knocked their Lanarkshire rivals out the Co-Operative Insurance Cup.

In a controversial evening, Stephen Ettien’s extra time winner was the difference between the two sides, who were both reduced to 10 men by referee Iain Brines.

Deep into first-half injury time, Brines brandished a red card in the direction of a shocked Chris Porter after the striker had clattered David Elebert to the ground.

A yellow card would probably have been the fairer decision but the referee flashed a red – one of 13 cards he dished out despite the match not being an ill-tempered affair.

With the game evenly poised at 0-0, Porter’s dismissal proved a pivotal moment in the contest and Hamilton took full advantage of their extra man when David Graham drove them into the lead in 53 minutes.

But a resilient ’Well fought back and Jamie Murphy levelled matters shortly afterwards before Ettien’s winner five minutes into extra time.

Accies then had to hang on when Simon Mensing was sent off with eight minutes of extra time left for a second yellow card offence.

The home side started this contest in a positive manner and within 10 minutes could have taken the lead when Chris Porter laid the ball off to Stephen Hughes 20 yards out but the midfielder's shot cannoned off the post to safety.

Marc Corcoran went close for the visitors soon afterwards before a Porter header from a Keith Lasley cross sailed wide.

Just before half time, Jamie Murphy got hold of a clever David Clarkson through ball but debut Accies keeper Sean Murdoch managed to block.

By this time, Stephen Craigan had left the field injured before Porter saw red.

Eight minutes after the restart, Casement rolled a free-kick into the path of David Graham, who sent a superb curling effort past Graeme Smith to give Hamilton the lead.

’Well quickly responded through a Lasley effort and then equalised after substitute John Sutton played in teenager Jamie Murphy, who slotted the ball past Murdoch.

Hamilton had chances to win the game in normal time through James McCarthy and Ettien before the later scored from close range in the first half of extra time.

James McArthur and Bob Malcolm both hit the woodwork but the visitors – now also reduced to 10 men – held on to secure a priceless victory over their rivals that made it four losses in a row for the Steelmen.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan (Fitzpatrick 37), Reynolds, Hammell, Lasley, Malcolm, Hughes (Sutton 60), Clarkson, Porter, Murphy (Darren Smith 72). Subs Not Used: Nielsen, McGarry.

Sent Off: Porter (45). Booked: Hammell, Reynolds.

Goal: Murphy 66.

Hamilton: Murdoch, Mensing, Elebert, Casement, Easton, Swailes (McCarthy 48), McArthur, Neil, Corcoran (Ettien 73), Lyle (Thomas 80), Graham. Subs Not Used: Cerny, Akins.

Sent Off: Mensing (112). Booked: Corcoran, Casement, Neil, Mensing, McArthur, Ettien, McCarthy, Thomas.

Goals: Graham 53, Ettien 95.