Andy Dales says bagging a goal on his Hamilton debut was a relief, and hopes it sends him on a run that helps them climb the Premiership table.
Winger Dales netted the opener in a 5-0 William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round win over Edinburgh City on Saturday and was pleased with the outcome all-round, having signed a loan deal from Scunthorpe until the end of this season.
Dales, who had a loan spell at Dundee last season, headed in Aaron McGowan's cross and hit the bar with another effort, while Scott McMann, Scott Martin, Andy Winter (also a debut goal) and Mickel Miller scored in the emphatic win over the League Two side.
“To score a goal on your debut and put in a good performance like that, I’m happy with it,” he said.
“I had a header off the bar and a few strikes, so to get the goal was brilliant.
“It was important to get the goal in my first game because at Dundee I didn’t score. I had lots of chances at Dundee but for whatever reason I just couldn’t find the back of the net, so to come here and score on my debut was a great feeling.
“The longer it goes without getting a goal the more of a problem it can become, especially with strikers. With me being a winger, I want to score goals and I want to make assists, so to get that off the mark is great, and hopefully there is more to come.”
Dales added: “The tempo from the start of the game was very good, the high press, which the gaffer wants, so I was really happy.
“My fitness is only going to get better with the training I do and the games that come up.
“Maybe it’s not where I’ve had it before; that's about match-fitness through through not playing. That's not me not working hard in training or anything like that, because I'm a fit lad, but I think anyone will say that match-fitness is the biggest thing for you."
