Wrexham 1 - 3 Town (Friendly). TOWN could not be going into the new season in better heart or better shape.

It means little, of course, unless the players produce the goods against Cambridge on Saturday - but the 1,840 who watched at the Racecourse won't be betting against them.

Eight new faces were in the starting line-up and manager Peter Jackson still has Efe Sodje and Lee Fowler to add for the big League kick-off.

But Wrexham finished a well-beaten side and, considering they were promoted from Division III last season, have beaten West Brom 2-0 in pre-season, have added three top-line signings and reached the final of the Isle of Man tournament, it has to be a highly encouraging sign for Town's management, players and supporters alike.

It wasn't all one-way traffic and, indeed, Town started just as slowly as they did at Halifax - Shaun Holmes seeing one drive brilliantly parried away by Ian Gray and another deflected off Martyn Booty onto the woodwork.

The longer the game went on, however, the stronger Town got and while there were the odd individual blemishes, the team looked comfortable with each other and more than willing to work.

Two players, particularly, caught the eye - Jon Stead and Tony Carss.

Stead set up the first and third goals for Carss and Andy Booth and scored the second himself from a position Wrexham manager Denis Booth described as "200 yards offside."

Carss was the heartbeat of the whole side, however, and despite the heat of the day and the lush surface, he was a non-stop performer who looks geared to be a major influence this season.

It was fitting both he and Stead should combine for the opener on 20 minutes.

Stead worked hard throughout - particularly when moved to the right wing to accommodate Booth for the final 20 minutes - but his persistence was illustrated when battling past Giant defender Dennis Lawrence to square for Carss to net from close range.

The speedy Carlos Edwards equalised for Wrexham four minutes later when Town failed to clear a Steve Thomas corner and, shortly afterwards, the impressive Gray had to dive smartly to his left to beat away a viciously curling free-kick from Holmes.

Wrexham fell behind again, though, after 32 minutes when Carss found Tyrone Thompson on the edge of the box and he flicked the ball through to Stead, who planted home a firm left-foot shot while the home defenders couldn't believe the flag stayed down.

Wrexham rallied and only a tremendous block by Gray from the dangerous Edwards prevented them equalising, but the second half belonged to Town.

Gray had little to do as Ian Hughes and Steve Yates mopped up smartly and, even though Wrexham sent on Darren Ferguson and ex-Spurs striker Chris Armstrong for the final half hour, they were never allowed to threaten.

Yates, in fact, was the root of the third goal, spraying a pass wide left to Carss as he made yet another probing forward run.

Carss quickly spotted Stead unmarked at the back post and when he nodded the ball down, Booth was on hand to score in front of a delighted 150 travelling fans.

A Lee Jones chip onto the roof of the net was the best Wrexham could offer after that as Jon Worthington - on for ankle injury victim Chris Holland for the second half - put his stamp on midfield.

It was the first match in which Jon Newby didn't get on the end of a decent chance - he was booed throughout because he once gave a two-pronged salute to the Wrexham fans after scoring a last-minute winner for Bury - and perhaps that's an illustration Town are going to threaten goals from many more sources this season.

There wasn't a chance to use trialist Stuart Preston on Saturday, but after the trauma of the summer and the hasty assembling of a squad on letters of intent - Town look ready to make a statement of intent.

Wrexham - Dibble, Holmes (P Edwards 73), Carey, Lawrence, C Edwards, Llewellyn (M Jones 83), Barrett (Ferguson 60), Crowell (L Jones 73), Pejic (Morgan HT), Thomas, Sam (Armstrong 60). Sub not used: Whitfield.

Town - Gray, Booty, Edwards, Holland (Worthington HT), Yates, Hughes, Thompson (Holdsworth 86), Carss, Stead, Newby, Schofield (Booth 70). Subs not used: Preston, Senior, Scott, Lloyd, Ahmed.

Referee - Andre Marriner (Birmingham).

Attendance - 1,840

Next story