'Pool party

At last - a thumping friendly win. Hartlepool were our obliging victims, going down 5-1 on their own patch thanks in large part to a brace from Sylvain Marveaux. His goals, plus one from Big Lad (who later went off nursing an injury), meant we were cruising at 3-0 up with only 12 minutes elapsed. Further strikes followed in the second period from substitutes Haris Vuckic and Obertan Kenobi, with the Monkey Hangers' consolation coming courtesy of Anthony Sweeney.

The game saw first-team debuts for both Curtis Good and young 'keeper Jak Alnwick, while there was also a first run-out of the pre-season for HBA, who had a hand in Vuckic's goal.

So, Cardiff away on Saturday, and then we get down to business for real...