Inverness CT 0-1 Hamilton: Match Report

28 August 2010 17:30

Dougie Imrie's early thunderbolt earned Hamilton their first points of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season as they beat Inverness 1-0.

Former Inverness midfielder Imrie fired home a 30-yard rocket after just 38 seconds in an explosive start.

The goal-of-the-season candidate proved decisive, inflicting a second consecutive home league defeat on SPL new boys Caley Thistle.

Imrie stunned his former employers with a superb early goal. He stripped Lee Cox of possession before firing into the top corner beyond the reach of Ryan Esson.

Hamilton looked comfortable in attack and defence and Marco Paixao would have doubled the visitors' advantage after 25 minutes but for the athleticism of Esson.

The Portuguese player tested the hosts' shot-stopper with a strike from the edge of the box after a lay-off from his twin brother Flavio.

Inverness produced their first real chance after 55 minutes when Jonny Hayes played a clever free-kick short to Nick Ross who crossed into the box towards Eric Odhiambo, but his header was cleared at the cost of a corner which came to nothing.

On the hour Hamilton's Andrew Graham forced Esson to make a low block from a close-range header after he connected with a deep cross from Kyle Wilkie.

The test seemed to fire up Inverness and their top scorer Adam Rooney managed to lob goalkeeper Tomas Cerny but Graham was back in time to prevent a goal.

At the other end Nigel Hasselbaink then played in Flavio Paixao whose low shot was stopped by Esson.

Source: PA