Friday 23rd February, 2018 at 9:00am
This week I have chosen to feature my oldest Hamilton Accies versus Thistle programme. It also allows me to look back and savour a really good season for the Jags. In season 1953/54 we scored 76 league goals, more than any other team in “A” division. Our final position in the league was 3rd, behind Celtic and Hearts, and one place above Rangers. That final statistic isn’t one we can produce very often. In that same season we reached the final of the Scottish League Cup and the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. As a starry-eyed young fan I didn’t get to carried away. I realised this would change, and there would be stormy waters to navigate. I was right, wasn’t I? Perhaps that is a massive understatement.
Anyway, the match at Douglas Park, was just one step along the way to that third-place finish. We completed the double over the Accies on 10th April, winning 4-0 at Firhill. Whisper it – the following week I made my first ever visit to the City of Discovery and we lost 4-0 to Dundee at Dens Park. Even in those far-off days Thistle could be a bit – what should I say? – inconsistent, tantalising, frustrating and so on. Yes, it’s all about the highs and lows.
In goal for the Jags at Hamilton was Tommy Ledgerwood, a big favourite of mine, brilliant one week, not so brilliant the next. The full-backs were Jimmy “Tiger” McGowan and Andy Kerr. At half-back(note the terminology) were John Harvey, Scottish internationalist Jimmy Davidson, and Norman McCreadie making only his third appearance of the season. Up front we had the sparkling Johnny MacKenzie, Alex Wright, Willie Sharp, Willie Crawford and Joe McInnes.
Essentially this meant five forwards, with two inside men, in this case Wright and Crawford, playing a bit deeper in a kind of W formation. Now I have completely confused you – sorry. Anyway it was a pretty effective system. Alex Wright scored and Willie Crawford hit a double, as Thistle ran out 3-1 winners.
We must have been doing something right – two Cup runs and 3rd in the League. Let’s have a bit more of that, please.
Robert R
