SPFL Trust Trophy: Hamilton Accies ace wants to repay fans with Coleraine trip to remember in silverware defence

Lewis Smith hopes Hamilton Accies can make their trip to Northern Ireland a memorable one for their fans, as they look to retain the SPFL Trust Trophy this season.

Accies celebrated their first cup win for 30 years when they claimed the silverware in March, beating Raith Rovers with 10-men at the Falkirk Stadium, and now the quest to keep it in the New Douglas Park trophy cabinet begins.

The club and a sizeable support have made the journey across the Irish Sea for Saturday's third round clash with Coleraine and Accies midfielder Smith hopes to build on the strong rapport that has developed between the players and supporters since their crowning moment last season.

He said: "The cup win was great last season and everyone is really excited for the competition, to try and win it again.

"We had such a good day out and hopefully we can give the fans more to cheer about.

"Over the last few years, things with the fans were a bit disjointed because we weren't getting results on the pitch [suffering relegation from the Premiership and then the Championship].

"That was a bit disheartening but, recently, since the cup win and the start of this season, we feel like we've had the fans back and everybody is really positive.

"Hopefully we can repay the ones who travel over with a good performance."

Smith says the players are just as buzzing for the novelty of an away day outside Scotland.

Coleraine are one of four cross-border sides invited into the competition by the SPFL, joining compatriots Cliftonville and Welsh duo Bala Town and The New Saints.

And Smith said: "When their name came out of the hat, we were all pretty excited about it.

"We don't get many opportunities for trips away like that and it will give the fans something to