Thumbs down

Hamilton fell to a heavy opening day defeat to Premiership newcomers Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium.

First-half goals from Joe Chalmers and Billy Mckay had the Staggies home and dry by the interval, and that was added to in the second half by a strike from Ross Stewart.

It was no more than County deserved, who were the better team throughout.

After Ross County had unfurled the Championship flag, the opening exchanges were blood-and-thunder, but without much actually happening.

Hamilton defender Ciaran Mckenna was harshly booked in the opening minute when a shot was driven at him and struck him on the hand just outside the box, but the free kick ultimately came to nothing.

Accies were dealt a further blow in 16 minutes when Mckenna was forced off with an injury, Markus Fjortoft was his replacement, making his league debut.

It took until the 29th minute for a chance of note, and when it did come it was County; Stewart picked out Chalmers, but he curled his shot round the left post from distance.

Accies didn’t learn from that, and when Mckay gave Chalmers another go, this time he found the bottom left corner, to put County 1-0 up.

Mckay got in on the act six minutes later, when a simple move down the right resulted in the striker sliding in Stewart’s cut-back to double County’s lead.

Hamilton tried to get back into the game and in 39 minutes George Oakley sent Marios Ogkmpoe through on goal, but keeper Ross Laidlaw raced off his line to clear.

Four minutes later Scott Mcmann let fly with a drive from about 25 yards, but it flew past the left post.

County could have added to their lead late in the first half, when Liam Fontaine tried an audacious lob from the right touch-line that Owain-fon Williams did well to slap over.

Inside stoppage time, Josh Mullin tried his luck with a drive towards the right corner, but Fon-williams punched it clear.

Hamilton slightly improved in the second half and Ross Cunningham went close in 48 minutes, weaving his way into the box before unleashing a stinging shot that Laidlaw had to slap past the right post. From the corner, Blair Alston tried his luck from 18 yards, but Laidlaw saved well.

Accies went on the attack again in 54 minutes when Cunningham saw a shot blocked and Ogkmpoe’s follow-up was well held by Laidlaw.

But County added their third in 57 minutes when Josh Mullin’s free-kick from the left was headed in at the back post by Stewart. As simple as you would like.

Mullin went close to adding a fourth in 74 minutes, but his angled drive flashed wide of the left post.

County could have scored again in 82 minutes when sub Blair Spittal played the ball back to Mullin on the right, but his rocket shot flew past the top left corner, and 60 seconds later sub Brian Graham scooped a shot over the bar.