Kane Hemmings hat-trick sets up Dundee for convincing win over Hamilton
Kane Hemmings' first-half hat-trick helped Dundee celebrate their first Ladbrokes Premiership win since early October.
Paul Hartley's side had victory in the bag after just 25 minutes thanks to striker Hemmings' exploits as well as Greg Stewart's 19th-minute strike as they swept aside Martin Canning's visitors at Dens Park.
It was game over by then as the Dark Blues finally returned to winning ways which had eluded them since beating Motherwell at home on 03 October.
Dundee took the lead inside four minutes. Gary Irvine's long ball out of defence was missed by Jamie Sendles-White, allowing Hemmings to run through and take the ball round visiting goalkeeper Michael McGovern before rounding the ball into the net.
The hosts took a big lift from this and almost went 2-0 ahead in the 12th minute. This time Hemmings was the provider as he crossed from the left for Greg Stewart who was lurking at the far post. Stewart got his volley away and it looked netbound until McGovern fisted it clear.
It was all Dundee and a few minutes later midfielder Gary Harkins was the next to try his luck from distance.
Harkins turned swiftly and hit a shot from 22 yards just past the post - but they were not to be denied as they increased their lead in 19 minutes.
Harkins drove forward from midfield and passed the ball out wide to Stewart who had made some space for himself. Stewart took a touch inside before curling an unstoppable shot with his left foot high past helpless McGovern and into the far corner.
Hamilton were stunned by this and it was to get worse when Dundee made it 3-0 in 21 minutes when the visiting defence made a hash of Stewart's ball forward. Hemmings pounced and ran on to make no mistake by rounding McGovern and slotting home from close-range.
It could have been four in 23 minutes when Hemmings clipped a chip shot from the edge of the penalty area which McGovern did well to fingertip over the bar.
But Hemmings was not to be denied as he completed his hat-trick in 25 minutes.
The striker collected Paul McGowan's pass and had only one thing on his mind as he burst forward and unleashed a superb low strike from 22 yards which beat McGovern into his far corner.
The hosts had full-back Irvine carried off just before the hour after a tackle from Accies substitute Gramoz Kurtaj.
Hamilton substitute Jesus Garcia-Tena tried his luck with a long-range free-kick soon after which almost caught Dundee keeper Scott Bain by surprise - but it went just inches past the post.
At the other end, Hemmings nearly grabbed his fifth of the afternoon when his 25-yard free-kick went just over the bar.
It was Dundee's day though overall as they bid to get their season back on track.
Source: PA
