KID KIL-LER

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 3, 2009 | by BILL MILLS

HAMILTON 2 McCarthy 5, 55

KILMARNOCK 1 Hamill 90 (pen)

A JAMES McCARTHY double ensured that Hamilton eased their relegation worries - but left Killie looking anxiously over their shoulders.

Accies have terrorised teams at New Douglas Park and when the Irish international opened the scoring in just four minutes he gave his side the platform they needed.

With the visitors losing David Lilley because of injury early in the match, it was no surprise McCarthy doubled the advantage in the 55th minute.

Although the Ayrshiremen pulled one back with an injury-time penalty through Jamie Hamill, it was little more than consolation and a possible factor should the relegation issue come down to goal difference.

Killie were rocking after the early double blow of McCarthy's strike, which cannoned in off the post.

And the loss of Lilley - who was replaced by Danny Invincibile - added to their woes and they struggled to threaten Tomas Cerny's goal.

Jim Jefferies' side looked promising in the early stages of the half but it was the hosts who took control.

Striker Richard Offiong found McCarthy with a cross which the teenager expertly lashed home from just inside the area.

Accies manager Billy Reid heaped praise on his two-goal hero. He said: "We can all see that James McCarthy has flashes of a good player but he has no weaknesses - he's a mature young guy, deals with whatever's thrown in front of him and is exemplary off the park too.

"He's been running on empty in recent weeks and we tend to forget he's just 18.

"But the breaks recently have helped him enormously and we've seen that in training.

"When he's fresh, he's just a fantastic football player and has everything - vision, pace, he scores goals, links the play and works backwards as well, which is really important."

Reid insists he isn't surprised that the teenager turned down moves to the SPL champions and Premiership superstars Liverpool.

He said: "Eyebrows were raised when he didn't sign for Celtic and Liverpool but he isn't in a hurry to leave as he sees that the education he's getting at this club has served him well. I think he's been proven right as he's matured as a young man and is enjoying his football here.

"Richard Offiong coming back in was a big plus for us and the standouts today were James McArthur and Trent McClenahan.

"They need operations badly and are putting themselves right through the mill for this football club." Killie Jefferies admitted his side now face a "must-win" clash against bottom club Falkirk next weekend.

He said: "I told the players that if they thought it was a massive game the last time we played them, they can multiply that by at least 100 this time.

"It's all down to that - if we win it, we're six points ahead with three games to go and another two home games.

"That's what we have to focus on now and we will do that. We are fighting for our lives in the SPL now."