Starting Line Up:
Warner, McCunnie, Darlington, Cox, Loovens, Mulryne, Whitely, Koskela, Ardley, Campbell, Ferretti (right)
City's tour of Scotland began with a trip to Hamilton, which is situated just a few miles south east of Glasgow City Centre. The stadium has two reasonably large stands - one running the length of the pitch and the other behind the goal to the left as we looked onto the pitch. Opposite the main stand and behind the other goal was, well nothing really! Just some gravel and a few advertising boards. I couldn't tell if these parts of the grounds were about to be developed or were just permanently like that. I'm sure though that the ground is more than big enough for Hamilton's needs, except for the occassional game against Rangers or Celtic.
City's four new signings all started today's game, together with the three triallists all hoping to earn contracts. The first half was very even, with neither side gaining control of midfield. Whitely, making his debut, was keen to put himself about, getting stuck into several challenges and giving away a few free kicks. However, midway through the first half, he was instrumental in City's opening goal, winning the ball in the middle of the park and then playing the perfect ball through the middle which Ferretti ran onto, showing his pace to leave the Hamilton defence in his wake. With just the keeper to beat, Ferratti clinically rifled the ball in to the back of the net, giving the opposing goalie no chance. 1-0 to City.
Hamilton probably just shaded the first half on chances, with a couple of decent efforts going just wide of Warner's goal. However they were gifted a clear cut chance when an error by Cox presented the ball to a Hamilton player. A combination of a poor first touch and Warner coming off his line quickly allowed the City keeper to get to the ball first and clear away the danger. It really should have been 1-1. At the other end, Campbell was put clear and showed his lack of confidence (or perhaps his lack of ability!) by tamely putting his shot wide of the keeper but also well wide of the goal. City went in at half time with a slender 1-0 lead.
City made three changes at half time, Anthony for Loovens, Parry for Ardley and Boland for Koskela. Loovens had put in another solid first half performance and looks a promising signing so far, whilst both Ardley and Koskela had been relatively quiet in midfield. Once again the second half began fairly evenly, although City were desperately unlucky not to extand their lead when a cross from the left from Parry found the impressive Mulryne on the right hand side just outside of the box. The former Norwich player hit a fantastic curling shot from distance which beat the keeper but cruelly not the crossbar. It was excellent technique and it deserved to end up in the back of the net.
After 15 mins of the second half, both teams made some more changes, with Parslow replacing Cox, Barker on for Darlington and Jerome for Campbell. Hamilton then got themselves back into the game, with a ball from the left turned in from around 8 yards, City's defence allowing the Hamilton player too much space. It was probably a fair scoreline on the balance of play, but for the remaining half hour, City began to get a grip on midfield and gain control of the game. Both Whitely and Boland were pulling no punches in midfield and on the flanks, Parry and Mulryne were increasingly effective.
City regained the lead following excellent work by Jerome and Parry, the ball being played to Mulryne just inside the area, who once again showed good technique to curl his shot around the keeper but this time also into the back of the net.
City made two more changes later in the half, Fleetwood for Ferretti and in the final fifteen minutes Weston for Mulryne, who appeared to signal to the bench to bring him off - hopefully his injury is nothing serious as I've been impressed with his form so far.
Jerome looked sharp whilst on the pitch and both he and Fleetwood hit rasping shots which only just went over the bar, much to the relief of the Hamilton keeper. City finished much the stronger and despite the inexperience of the City defence, they were rarely troubled in the second half.
Three City players lasted the full 90 mins - Warner, McCunnie and Whitely. Warner did well, reacting quickly to come off his line when required and apart from one shot that he spilled that I feel he should have held, dealt with everything confidently. His distribution though is still wayward. McCunnie had a solid game and looks a good possible aquistion whilst Whitely was probably man of the match, covering a lot of ground and biting the ankles of the Hamilton players whenever they were in possesion. Apart from a couple of stray passes, his distribution was good, if not spectacular, and of course he made our first goal. Perhaps more importantly, the home fans didn't like him one bit as he wasn't afraid to get stuck in - always a good quality in my book!
Darlington looked a 'steady eddie' at full back and despite the one mistake, Cox looks dominant in the air and he works well with Loovens considering the short time they have played together. The Italian triallist, Ferratti, had an excellent hour on the pitch, showing much more promise than he did on Saturday at Accrington.
I spoke to Sam at half time and he told me that Darren Purse is spending two days with us. If we can add him to the squad and also get Mulryne and McCunnie signed up, I feel our defence and midfield will have enough quality and strength in depth for the forthcoming Championship season. What does concern me, on what I've seen so far, is our forward line. We know Jerome can do a job for us. but there are still serious doubts over Alan Lee and as for Andy Campbell, well I think saying nothing is best. Ferratti looked promising today, but at 18 years old, he may be one for the future. A new striker is definitely a must and if Dave Jones can wrap up the signing of Darren Purse, let's hope he can find a striker, sooner rather than later.
Final score, Hamilton Academicals 1 Cardiff City 2