Bristol City 4 Cardiff City 2

Sam Baldock sealed his move from West Ham with a debut goal - and extra shifts of training.

Substitue Baldock, 23, made the move from Premier League outfit for £1.1 million last week and announced his arrival with the Robins's fourth goal in the 87th minute. He then revealed:

"We've got a striker's club where we all come down to the training ground early to do a bit of extra finishing and get some friendly competition going. We have five top drawer strikers who are used to playing week in, week out or who have come to play more first team football like myself. Whoever's not stepping up their game will be dragged on by the others. 

The wide players come along to cross the ball and help us out, but they don't have to fetch them as they all end up in the back of the net!"

And Baldock dismissed any talk of the transfer being a backward step. He said:

"People may see me as moving down from West Ham, but I'm not a Premier League player. I've never played in the Premier League so I've not taken a step down. It's a move that will help me continue my personal development and we can continue our development as a club."

Baldock could have grabbed a hat trick after coming on in the 64th minute, but he hit the side netting with his first touch and six minutes later his shot rebounded off the post for Martyn Woolford to knock in his second of the game.

Ryan Taylor, 24, slotted in City's opener after a clever dummy from co-striker Jon Stead in the 32nd minute and Stead's defence splitting pass set up Woolford's first in injury time before the break.

Winger Woolford, 26, has already bagged three goals this season and admitted his confidence has grown now that he knows he figures in boss Derek McInnes's plans. 

McInnes took over at Ashton Gate last October and has used the summer to rebuild his squad. Woolford revealed:

"He reassured me that he had kept the players he wanted to work with and so you know that you have as much chance as anyone else. It's then down to had work.

It also gives you extra confidence when you look around the team and you see the quality we have."

Substitute Joe Mason gave Cardiff hope when he nodded in twelve minutes after the break and former QPR striker Heidar Helguson pegged another goal back five minutes before Baldock wrapped things up.

Both sides came close in the first half.

In the 14th minute Cardiff playmaker Whittingham tested former team mate Tom Heaton from 22 yards, but the keeper - who joined the Robins in the summer - dived to beat away the fierce goal-bound shot.

And two minutes later, Woolford linked up Stead to tee up Adomah who fired wide from 14 yards.

Seven minutes before the break Iceland midfielder came close to scoring for the visitors but saw his header from a Whittingham corner bounce up on to the bar before being punched clear by Heaton.

McInnes was delighted with the result and said:

"It was always going to be a big ask to make sure we won the game, but we certainly did that with a bit of polish."

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay was disappointed with his team's defensive performance and said:

"We gave away possession cheaply in dangerous areas and too many of my dependable players were below par. You can carry one or two in that situation, but when it's three or four you'll always be up against it."

My piece from Sunday's paper (two deliberate errors included!!)

My clipping from this morning's paper

Bristol City v Cardiff City

I'm off to Ashton Gate for the first time this season tomorrow for this early kick off (13:00) and it looks as though both managers have had a busy time of it.

City boss Derek McInnes starts his first full season (assuming he's allowed it through of course!) and he's made some mouth watering additions to the squad.

Earlier in the week he managed to persuade highly rated striker Sam Baldock to join the cause. Baldock first caught the eye when playing for MK Dons, but suffered an injury after moving to West Ham which set him back last season. Ironically, the signing of former City favourite, Nicky Maynard, moved him further down the pecking order in East London and so he may have a point to prove with this fresh start.

McInnes also signed Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton from Cardiff, a lad who I rate and first saw when he turned out for Swindon on loan from Manchester United. The tussle between him and Dean Gerken should be a good one this season although - with one week to go before the transfer window closes - it will also be interesting to see whether Gerken stays to fight for the number one jersey or decides enough is enough after being second choice behind David James for the last couple of campaigns.

Other new faces include experienced defender Mark Wilson, 32, from Celtic, ex-Forest midfielder Paul Anderson, 24, left back Greg Cunningham, 21, from Premier League champions Manchester City and attacking left-sided player Steve Davies, 24, from Derby.

And the City boss has told the Bristol Evening Post that there is more "business to be done"!

Winger Tommy Smith, 32, is posed to become Cardiff's third summer signing from QPR today according to reports. He will join front mam Heidar Helguson and defender Matthew Connolly.

The three Loftus Road recruits join several other new boys signed by Malky Mackay during the break ... and one old boy.

Malkay has brought in a mixture of youth and experience in an effort to finally get the Bluebirds out of the Championship. 

Filip Kiss, 21 - a Slovakia U-21 - England U-21 Jordan Mutch, 20, and South Korean international Kim Bo-Kyung, 22, have been signed to bolster the midfield options while Slovenia international Etien Velikonja, 23, is one to watch for up front along with a shy, retiring and little known youngster, Craig Bellamy, 33.

It is touch and go whether Mutch will make tomorrow's starting eleven after picking up a knock to his foot in Tuesday's scoreless draw away to Brighton, but Mackay will be hoping that his team can chalk up another clean sheet in his absence ... and find the net again after registering one one goal - the first day win against Huddersfield - in the first two league games.

Meanwhile, McInnes will be hoping for more of the same at the Gate after Tuesday's 4-1 mauling of Palace. He told the City website today:

"The performance on Tuesday shows what can be done. It was a real positive, energetic performance. Regardless of the opposition we must make sure we reach those levels again. We were excellent on the night and the players should take great confidence going into the Cardiff game. However, it will be easily forgotten if we lose on Saturday. (see more here: http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10327~2898736,00.html?)

Wycombe Wanderers 0 Gillingham 1

Myles Weston tortured and teased Wycombe before setting up the winner for ten man Gills.

Classy Weston's pace and trickery had caused Wycombe problems all evening and the man of the match had a hand in full back Joe Martin's 55th minute strike.

Weston hit fellow winger Chris Whelpdale's short free kick against the post from 25 yards and Martin pounced to bury the rebound from close in with keeper Nikki Bull stranded.

But Gillingham were forced to cling on when central defender Tom Flanagan was shown a red card from the 78th minute after picking up a second booking.

Bull had kept Wycombe's hopes alive.

Gillingham substitute Charlie Allen nearly grabbed a goal with his first touch less than two minutes after coming on at half time, but Bull stood firm to beat away his ten yard shot.

In the 67th minute Bull was forced to dive to his left to save a blistering 25 yard shot from midfielder Charlie Lee.

And when Bull was left flat-footed four minutes later, Whelpdale could only steer Weston's left wing cross wide of goal at the far post.

Bull was also involved as both sides had chances to open the scoring before the break.

Weston left two defenders on their backsides in the 21st minute before sprinting in on goal from half way only to see Bull block his shot from twelve yards.  

And Bull again had to be alert again three minutes before the break when he was called on to back-peddle and tip over a mis-hit cross from Martin that was dipping under his bar.

Wycombe's £500,000 rated striker Stuart Beavon had the first sniff of goal in the seventh minute, but his volley from the edge of the box just cleared the bar.

Beavon is being linked with a move to either Preston, Millwall or Brentford following his 25 goal haul for the Chairboys last term.

In the thirteenth minute winger Sam Wood wriggled past two defenders on the edge of the Gillingham box, but curled his shot narrowly wide.

Gillingham boss Martin Allen was delighted with his players and said:

"I thought we did okay in the first half and then took it to another level in the second half. It was always going to be a hard game. Gary's teams always have a go.

Everyone was fully committed and so fair play to all of the players. They all care and we're not carrying any passengers. They all know their jobs and when they do them they're hard to break down.

It was fantastic to score in front of our own fans. They sang their hearts out all game and we've seen in the Olympics that when fans get behind their team they find another gear."

Disappointed Wycombe manager Gary Waddock admitted:

"We didn't play well enough in the second half to get something from the game and we should've scored in the first half when we were on top.

Gillingham were the better side, particularly in the second half.

We'll dust ourselves down and go again on Saturday. Hopefully we can put this one behind us. We'll bounce back."

Wycombe v Gillingham

I'm off to Adams Park for the first time this season to see their opening home league fixture against Gillingham.

Like Wycombe, the Gills are fancied for promotion, although I think both teams will have their work cut out in the season ahead as Northampton, Oxford, Bristol Rovers, Torquay, Plymouth, Aldershot, Cheltenham and a handful of other sides will certainly be in the mix come May.

However, if I wasn't tight with my money, the Chairboys are certainly a side I'd risk a small bet on as they have the experience under boss Gary Waddock and have also retained the bulk of their League One squad while adding a few useful faces.

Gary Doherty has now signed a permanent deal after a loan stint in which he impressed last term and fellow defender Sam Wood was a key player in Brentford's promotion push a couple of seasons back.

Waddock has also signed more 'experience' in the form of striker Richard Logan and midfielder Matt Spring who has often played well when I have seen him playing for Orient.

Wycombe's season won't be determined on whether hot shot striker Stuart Beavon stays or goes, but I'm sure that Waddock would like the situation sorted out sooner rather than later so he can bring in a replacement if necessary.

The transfer window closes in ten days and reports have a price tag of somewhere between £350-500k being put on Beavon's head. If that is true, someone is going to get a bargain in my opinion and the clubs currently showing an interest are apparently Preston, Millwall and Brentford.

Beavon is a natural predator and also puts in a shift for the team. He'll leave some fairly big boots behind for someone to fill.

Gillingham are now managed by the shy, unassuming and softly spoken Martin Allen who has built a name for himself as a very good coach of lower league clubs and a bit of a firefighter - particularly at Barnet where he has had a hand in keeping the club in the league in the last two campaigns.

Allen has picked up a couple of players from former club Notts County in handy keeper Stuart Nelson and midfielder Charlie Allen and also a useful player in Deon Burton.

Former Derby, Pompey (and just about every other club you can name) striker Burton has just returned to these shores following a two year stint playing for Azerbaijan Premier League outfit Gabala under former England and Arsenal skipper Tony Adams.

Burton is 35 years old now, but has bags of experience and will be looking for some silverware before the curtain comes down on a career that has seen him pick up well over fifty caps for Jamaica.

Allen has also brought in striker Ben Strevens who was released by Wycombe in the summer and the Chairboys will be hoping he doesn't return to his former club with a point to prove!

Walsall 0 Doncaster Rovers 3

Dave Cotterill scored a stunner to help get Doncaster's season off to a flier.

Wales winger Cotterill, 24, spotted keeper David Grof off his line in the 26th minute and floated in a wonder goal from 45 yards to leave Walsall shell-shocked before admitting:

"I shanked it, but I'll take it. When I was with Swansea I tried that a few times in games and it never came off.

A few minutes later I spotted him off his line again and so I don't think he'd learned his lesson. It was tempting, but I played a pass instead. If I'd put in a second one like that I don't think he'd have been too happy."

And Wales winger Cotterill, 24, is now looking forward to settling down after playing for seven clubs already in his short career. He said:

"I don't want to be know as a journeyman pro. Hopefully I can now stay at Doncaster for a long time. My family are with me and that's the main thing as I think I'd lose my mind if I didn't see my children every day."

Cotterill was one of eight signings made by boss Dean Saunders following Donny's relegation from the Championship and another new boy set up the fifth minute opener.

Billy Paynter - released by Leeds in the summer - fired in a low, angled shot from the left side of the box and Grof could only palm the ball to co-striker Chris Brown, 27, who prodded in from three yards.

Impressive winger Kyle Bennett settled the game in the 56th minute.

Former Wolves youngster Bennett, 21, drifted in from the left flank and then curled a twenty yard cracker into the far corner of the net to leave the helpless Grof flapping.

Manager - and former Liverpool striker - Dean Saunders has spent time working on Bennett's finishing and the youngster revealed:

"That strike is becoming a bit of a trademark for me. The boss has told me I have a good right foot and to try to use it when I can. 

When someone who has scored as many goals as he did in his career tells you something, you listen. He knows where the net is and does it in training.

Some gaffers try to demo it and can't do it, but he hits the top corner every time he has a shot. He's still got it and even played ten minutes of a pre-season game for us at Cleethorpes. He's been a great influence on me."

With wingers like Bennett and Cotterill in the side and feeding the likes of Brown and Paynter, Doncaster fans have every reason to be optimistic about the season to come, but the squad is a small one and so Saunders and the board will need to add to it.

As Bennett pointed out though, working with someone like Saunders should be a massive attraction to any player worth his salt and Bennett, Cotterill and their mates look to be loving the experience.

Walsall had chances to score themselves, but failed to hit the target.

Winger Ashley Hemmings's goal bound shot from the edge of the box (see video below) deflected away for a corner and midfielders Jamie Paterson and Florent Cuvelier both saw efforts go narrowly wide.

Hemmings goes close(ish)

And Doncaster keeper Gary Woods made sure of a clean sheet when he tipped over a cross from Paterson that threatened to dip under his bar.

Walsall's misery continued when former Manchester United youth prospect Fabien Brandy limped off with a hamstring pull only seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The result was a little harsh on the Saddlers and they had more chances, but then again, Donny did a very professional job and were worth the win.

Doncaster manager Saunders was delighted with it and said:

"We've signed players with the right attitude. Attitude first, talent second.

We scored three great goals and could've had a few more. The first goal was brilliant considering the two strikers had never played together before. The second was like Beckham's against Wimbledon."

Walsall chief Dean Smith groaned:

"The second goal was the killer for us. They scored two wonderful goals that would have graced the Championship last season.

It's a bit of a work in progress at the moment, but we'll dust ourselves down, get in the ice baths and recover for a battle against Oldham on Tuesday."

My piece from Sunday's paper

My clipping from this morning's paper

Oxford United 0 AFC Bournemouth 0 (AET) Oxford win 5-3 on pens

Well that's two hours of my life that I'm never getting back!

I think it's fair to say that neither of these two sides hit the ground running in the League Cup last night and I'd like to say a special 'thank you' to Ryan Clarke and Damian Batt for finally putting me out of my misery in the penalty shoot out.

Keeper Clarke saved Marc Pugh's spot kick after five of the other players had converted theirs and it seemed as if the match was never going to end. Full back Damian Batt converted the winner to put the home side into the hat for the next round - and a possible much needed money spinner against a Premier League outfit?

I suspect everyone knew it was going to be a long evening when Cherries striker Wes Thomas headed Pugh's free kick wide from three yards in the third minute.

Even if it wasn't a spectacular evening's entertainment, the game was fairly evenly contested.

But it was Shwan Jalal who made sure of extra time with a great save at the death.

Defender Simon Francis handled just outside the box and Bournemouth's Baghdad-born keeper tipped over Adam Chapman's blistering free kick in the 91st minute.

Opposite number Clarke needed to be at his best to block a six yard effort from striker Thomas in extra time, but both sides struggled to break the deadlock.

Jalal had also produced two great stops in a matter of seconds just before the break in normal time.

Chapman and fellow midfielder Sean Rigg took turns to fire in low, angled shots from either side of the box, but stopper Jalal beat them away.

Not a classic by any means, but to be fair, the summer cobwebs always take a few games to be brushed away at this point of the season.

It will be interesting to see how Chris Wilder sets up the side when they take on Bristol Rovers in the first league fixture at the Memorial Ground on Saturday.

While Chapman saw a good deal of the ball, neither Jake Forster-Caskey or Lee Cox seemed to be able to get to grips with it, but I think this was due more to the tactics employed than their willingness to get involved.  However, Oxford came out winners in the end and so who am I to criticise?

My piece from to0day's paper.

Oxford v Bournemouth

I'm off to watch Oxford take on Bournemouth in the League Cup tonight (renamed the Capital One Cup and formerly the Coca Cola, Carling and the Milk Cup which the Us won many years ago).

I was sorry to hear that Oxford central defender Michael Duberry has undergone an operation on a prolapsed disc that will see him out of the side for quite some time. He is a decent, whole-hearted and honest player, but, more importantly, a nice guy and I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

No doubt Michael, 36, would have liked to have faced the Cherries tonight - a side he made seven appearances for on loan from Chelsea as a kid - but Chris Wilder has options at the back including new signing Michael Raynes, 24, who is an established player at this level having started nearly two hundred games for  Stockport, Scunny and more recently Rotherham.

Andy Whing, Peter Leven and Liam Davis also miss out with injuries..

But if Wilder has some concerns, opposite number Paul Groves has an sick list that even Oxford fans wouldn't wish on their worst enemy (well, unless he was an Italian managing a Wiltshire club I guess!).

Before a ball has even been kicked in anger, Groves is without long-term absentees Wes Fogden, Stephen Purches,Charlie Sheringham, Steve Fletcher, Josh McQuoid, Richard Hughes, Frank Demouge and Mark Molesley..

And Eunan O'Kane is away on international duty with Republic of Ireland's under-21s. 

Adam Bartlett and Tommy Elphick are doubtful as well, but presumably may be called upon if the visiting kit man, bus driver and tea lady fail late fitness tests!

With each passing season I get the impression that this competition is gaining increasing apathy from fans, players and managers alike. The Walsall/Brentford fixture I saw on Saturday felt like a pre-season warm up game.

But from Oxford's point of view it is an opportunity to test themselves against a League One outfit and maybe get a money spinning draw in the next round. I suspect though that Wilder - while wanting to win - will see it as a competitive pre-season game before the real business starts on Saturday.

For Bournemouth it's a case of surviving the evening without putting more pressure on the NHS.

Walsall 1 Brentford 0

And we're back! The 2012/13 season started on Saturday with yours truly being given the pick of the Capital One Cup (League Cup) fixtures.

The game had the feel of a pre-season tussle about it until Brentford striker Jake Reeves's assassination attempt on Adam Chambers near the half way line, but Dean Smith's lack of excitement at the prospect of another game in the competition was matched only by Uwe Rosler's  indifference at Brentford's exit. Still, it was nice to brush off the cobwebs and sample my first KFC of the season on the was to the Bescot!

Ashley Hemmings sealed his Black Country switch with a winning super strike.

Winger Hemmings, 21, was released by Wolves in the summer and scored in only the 8th minute of his Walsall debut.

Striker Will Grigg's low shot from 14 yards was blocked by defender Kevin O'Connor, but Hemmings pounced to drill a low shot home from the left.

In the 25th minute midfielder Jake Reeves was shown a straight red card for a lunge on opposite number Adam Chambers to make life even more difficult for the Bees.

But Saddlers keeper David Grof was still forced to pull off a string of super second half saves as ten-man Brentford  fought to stay in the Capital One Cup.

Walsall boss Dean Smith said:

"It's all about getting through to the next round and we did that."

Smith also jokingly revealed that David Grof - who made three top drawer saves in the second period - got the number one shirt ahead of veteran James Walker because: "His new haircut counted against him when he arrived at the ground this morning. He was trying to look like a teenager!"

Whatever Smith's reasons, Grof was delighted and proud to have been handed the number one shirt when I had a brief chat with him in the car park after the game and the young Hungarian certainly looked up to the job when I saw him play last season. With Walker as his back-up, they seem to have some quality between the sticks this season.

Brentford manager Uwe Rosler said:

"We were always in the game and gave them a run for their money. I'd like to focus on the reaction we had in the decond half. We always looked like we were in the game."

My 'award winning' piece from Sunday's paper. The Olympic coverage was - for some strange reason - deemed to be more important than a League Cup clash between two Division One outfits and consequently space in the paper was tight!