Source: Team_Talk
Hibs crush Accies to go back third
John Hughes was rewarded for restoring his three-pronged attack as goals from Colin Nish, and a brace each from Anthony Stokes and Derek Riordan ended the hosts' three-match winless SPL run.[LNB]Flavio Paixao netted a consolation for Accies as the Hibs onslaught eventually subsided, but both teams had a succession of chances to add to the scoreline in what was one of the most open games of the season.[LNB]Hibs had not scored five times in a game since putting Kilmarnock to the sword at Hampden Park in the League Cup final almost three years ago.[LNB]Each side made two changes, Hibs recalling Nish and handing fit-again Kevin McBride his first start for more than two months, while Hamilton drafted in defenders Mark McLaughlin and Richie Hastings for what was their fifth game in a fortnight.[LNB]Accies were without a win since mid-December in all competitions but were not short of confidence after three strong performances against Rangers in league and cup this month.[LNB]They started as such and were denied a sixth-minute opener by McBride's clearance after McLaughlin hooked the ball goalward following a corner.[LNB]Hibs clicked into gear and a wonderful stop from the in-form Tomas Cerny kept out Stokes' low finish before Riordan saw a goal ruled out for offside after tapping in David Wotherspoon's cross-cum-shot.[LNB]It did not matter as a lovely move put the home side in front three minutes later, sh clipping the ball over Cerny after a great run and pass from Liam Miller.[LNB]Only a brilliant reflex save from Graeme Smith prevented Hamilton levelling, the keeper somehow pushing Mickael Antoine-Curier's close-range finish wide.[LNB]They were made to pay when Stokes scored a controversial second for Hibs, barging Alex Neil off the ball before firing a deflected finish past Cerny.[LNB]Hastings' looping cross then hit the top of Smith's crossbar and Nish failed to capitalise after being put through by a misplaced Accies pass.[LNB]Simon Mensing, who had seen an earlier effort tipped over, curled a 20-yard shot wide but it was 3-0 on the half-hour when Riordan found the empty net after Stokes' finish was pushed onto the bar by Cerny.[LNB]John Rankin's audacious lob sailed over the top and there was a brief respite in what had been a frantic first half before Smith got down well to deny Antoine-Curier for a second time.[LNB]Cerny was called into action again less than three minutes after the restart, springing to his right to palm a Stokes free-kick behind.[LNB]But he was helpless to prevent Riordan netting from the other side of the box moments later after Neil was booked for hauling John Rankin to the floor.[LNB]The keeper did keep out the striker's next effort before Smith followed suit at the other end from Marco Paixao.[LNB]Hibs immediately broke downfield and Stokes was given all the time and space he needed to fire his second beyond Cerny.[LNB]Hamilton withdrew Neil for Kyle Wilkie on the hour mark as the home fans revelled in their team's goal glut.[LNB]Abdessalam Benjelloun replaced Nish as Hibs boss Hughes turned his attention to Wednesday's trip to Celtic.[LNB]Liam Miller followed for Patrick Cregg in the 70th minute, while Accies threw on David van Zanten and Stuart Elliott for Trent McClenahan and Marco Paixao.[LNB]Twin brother Flavio immediately pulled a goal back when he converted Elliott's cross at the far post.[LNB]The final change saw Danny Galbraith introduced for McBride before Rankin was yellow carded for a challenge that left Wilkie needing treatment.[LNB]Accies looked like finishing the stronger, James McArthur seeing two efforts saved by Smith, while Mensing blasted wide from close range.[LNB]But Stokes twice went close to completing a hat-trick late on, missing Galbraith's cross before shooting over Cerny's bar.[LNB]McLaughlin's stoppage-time booking completed Hamilton's misery.[LNB][LNB]
