Obika dashes Odoffin’s hope as Hamilton records third defeat

 

Popular saying that there is no paddy in the jungle came to the fore Saturday, as Nigeria born Jon Obika stopped fellow Nigerian descent Hakeem Odoffin from singing victory song.

Obika who plies his trade with St Mirren in the Scottish Premier league scored a 19th minute goal to earn his team three points thus dashing Hamilton’s quest for the first victory in the new season.

Hamilton had lost two previous matches heading into Saturday’s encounter with Odoffin expressing optimism that the home tie against St Mirren would provide ample opportunity to test victory, a dream which crashed like a pack of cards.

“We go into every game at home thinking we can win it so we have to have that mindset,” he enthused just before the match.

The defeat means Odoffin and his teammates will have to wait till next Saturday to see whether they can outshine Motherwell to test victory.

Hamilton boss Brian Rice said: “I thought we started the game really well, the first 10-15 minutes and then St Mirren took control.

“They scored a scrappy goal from our point of view, but I thought second half we were at them and I feel a bit aggrieved that we didn’t get anything from the game.

Obika’s first-half goal all St Mirren needed to stamp their authority on the game and pocket three points.

The 29-year-old striker bundled the ball in from close range in the 19th minute and the Buddies might have added to their lead before the interval.

Read AlsoJonathan Obika desperate to score goals for St Mirren

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin who was not impressed by his team’s performance especially in the second half however expressed delight that victory was achieved the below par performance notwithstanding.

“First half, I was really pleased; second half I was disappointed that we were sloppy in possession but at the same time over the moon that we were able to see it through.”

Hamilton travel to Motherwell next Saturday, while St Mirren host Ross County.