Hamilton Accies thank fans for pitching in to clear snow ahead of 5-0 League One win

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin and secretary Scott Struthers thanked supporters who helped clear the New Douglas Park pitch of snow, before they beat Queen of the South 5-0 to go top of League One.

Around 15 supporters helped 16 under-18 players, nine team and coaching staff, and three groundstaff in the huge effort to brush piles of the white stuff off the surface, in time for the game to kick off at 3pm.

In a video message, secretary Scott Struthers said: “We would like to thank everyone who came in and helped this morning.

“I was in at 8.30am, I directed then that the pitch was playable underneath, and then it was a matter of getting all hands to work on the pitch.

“Many thanks to all the directors, under-18 players, club staff, and all the fans that did pop in and help out.

“They contributed greatly to what was a very successful afternoon for us, thanks very much.”

Boss John Rankin issued a social media message on Sunday that read: “Good morning, just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for a momentous effort yesterday to get the game on, after we all woke up to horrendous conditions.

“On behalf of the players and staff, we really appreciate these endeavours, no matter how big or small you feel they were, and hope the lads showed that in their performance.”

A Kevin O’Hara double, and strikes from Lewis Smith, Reghan Tumilty and Connor Murray gave Accies a thumping win that put them top of League One by two points over rivals Falkirk, whose clash against Cove Rangers fell foul of the winter weather.

The win also means that Accies scored five or more goals in consecutive league matches for the first time since November 1960, having also beat Stirling Albion 5-0 on November 11.

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