Oldham Athletic began their pre-season fixture schedule in an upbeat and positive fashion.
Taking place at Chapel Road training ground in the early Saturday afternoon on a dry but blustery day, Kewell fielded two different sides for each 45.
The first was a strong looking starting eleven that he had available, with a couple of trialists in the centre of midfield, whilst the second included six players from the Academy.
First-half: Latics 3-2 Accrington
Starting brightly, a couple of half chances fell to Dearnley early on who couldn't direct his shots on target before having one cleared off the line as he rounded the keeper.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring just before the scheduled drinks break midway through the opening half.
Going down as a deflected own-goal off the underside of Piergianni's boot, the ball trickled past Lawlor who was caught off balance after Accrington kept possession in the final third. The actual effort being struck on the edge of the area.
Harry Kewell's side came back fighting with two quick-fire goals from two of the most recent signings in the week.
The first was a great individual effort from winger, Davis Keillor-Dunn as he curled his finish across goal, over the keeper, on the left-hand side of the area from a tight angle after Accrington failed to clear their lines.
Another new face in the ranks got in on the act as Bobby Grant guided an effort with his left foot in a similar style, but on the opposite side to Keillor-Dunn minutes before.
His quick thinking after the ball broke to him from an initial attack involving Dearnley meant the midfielder could take advantage of the time and space to place his shot with power and precision.
The flurry of goals continued, this time Accrington pulled one back through Joe Pritchard.
Slotting it past Lawlor, across goal with ease. He found himself unmarked in the area after skipping past the defence thanks to a short pass from the quick-thinking Dion Charles.
Moments later though, Zak Dearnley continued where he left off from last season and was rewarded for being a threat throughout the first-half.
A through ball by Rowe split the opposition defence and set Dearnley free who placed his shot low and hard at the near post on the right-hand side with his left foot. His twisting and turning meant he could cut back on the inside to make some more space, as an Accy defender made up some vital yards.
Second-half: Latics 0-1 Accrington
In the next 45 it was the visitors' Watford loanee striker, Ryan Cassidy that was on target early on with the only goal of the second 45.
With Stanley breaking the offside trap, Cassidy had a tap-in as the ball was played across goal from his teammate who was in acres of space.
Gary Woods produced a fine save to tip a fast-paced shot over his bar from close range towards the end to keep the overall score level.
On the whole, Accrington controlled possession throughout the second-half, but the promising signs were a team largely made up of second-year scholars from the Academy held their own, with Junior Luamba causing the Stanley defence problems with his pace and power.
It was pleasing to see all the young lads make a positive impression and impact on the game though, against a strong Accrington outfit who fielded some of their First Team players for the full game.
Teams
First-half XI: Lawlor, Fage, Jombati, Piergianni, Borthwick-Jackson, Grant, Trialist, Trialist, Keillor-Dunn, Rowe, Dearnley.
Second-half XI: Woods, Higgins, Wheater, Sutton, Trialist, Da Silva, Trialist, Hough, Speed, Luamba, Trialist.