The Final of the Centenary Tournament was a well-contested match between Sunderland and Hamilton Academical.

And it was the Scottish side who looked the stronger in the first forty-five minutes.

Inspired by the lively James McCarthy - later to be named Player of the Tournament - the Accies were busy in possession and made the young Sunderland outfit work very hard.

Billy Reid's men made the most of their pressure, pushing Sunderland back and when Barry Carrigan sent a searching ball into the box, opposition defender Russell Anderson deflected it past his own keeper, giving the Accies a 1-0 lead.

Sunderland's main threat in the first half came from Ross Wallace who was quick on the break and he created their best chance of the opening forty-five when he burst into the area, carved out an opening for himself and fired at goal only for Sean Murdoch to make the save look easy.

Hamilton could have doubled their lead just before the break when Paul McLeod squared a ball in the box for the unmarked James McArthur but his shot at goal was well saved by Nick Colgan in the Sunderland goal.

The Accies continued their pressure into the second half and Tony Stevenson went close to doubling their lead with a curled free kick from the edge of the box, but his effort went just wide of the post.

Tony Stevenson hit the post with a powerful header but the Scottish Premier League new boys wouldn't have to wait long to add a second goal.

A good burst forward by winger David Graham saw the Scotsman push his way into the box, escaping the attentions of the Sunderland defenders, to slot the ball low under Nick Colgan and into the back of the net.

Sunderland pulled one back through Jordan Cook - Rade Prica forced the ball through the defence to Cook and he rounded the move off with a strong finish past Murdoch to make it 2-1 with fifteen minutes to go.

Nick Colgan in the Sunderland goal pulled off a good block to deny sub Chris Swailes late in the game but there were no more goals and the game ended 2-1.

Hamilton, perhaps a surprise package for some, put in a very strong display and were worthy winners of the Centenary Tournament - and their boisterous fans certainly seemed to enjoy it!

Full Time: Sunderland 1 Hamilton Academical 2

Sunderland Select XI: Colgan, Kay, Hartley, Weir, Anderson (Anderson 46), McArdle, Edwards, Cook (Luscombe 82), Prica, Dowson (Colbeck 67), Wallace
Subs Not Used: Chandler, Carson, Waghorn

Hamilton Academical: Murdoch, Stevenson, Easton, McCarthy, Mensing, McLaughlin (Swailes 46), Carrigan (McLeod 28), McArthur, Atkins (Lyle 69), Neil (Evans 71), Graham
Subs Not Used: Grady, Taylor, Cerny