PRE-SEASON is all about players building up fitness levels but Sam Ricketts was pleased to win his first game as Wrexham manager.

Wrexham only returned for pre-season training a few days before their opening friendly against Lex XI and the Reds sealed a 2-1 victory in front of a healthy crowd at a sun-baked Stansty Park.

Former Wales international Ricketts, who is taking his first steps in management, named two different teams for the match which was shortened to two halves of 30 minutes.

"It was good," said Ricketts. "We have only been in five days so it was probably too early for a full-on game so we reduced the game time and the lads just played two 15 minute blocks, which goes in our progression for the fitness building up to the first game of the season.

"A really good work-out, some really good principles that I am trying to get into the lads, although the principles are very basic at the minute as we have only just started back.

"I think everyone enjoyed it which is the most important thing, no injuries and we won the game as well which is always nice."

Ricketts' first half side included 11 of the 12 professionals currently signed on for the 2018-19 campaign, with James Jennings unavailable.

Paul Rutherford and Nicky Deverdics had early chances before Wrexham took the lead.

Deverdics' cross was nodded back across goal by captain Shaun Pearson and Chris Holroyd, last season's top scorer, converted from close range.

Wrexham dominated possession but Welsh National League side Lex equalised just before the break through Matty Williams' superb 20 yard strike.

Youth team players and trialists took over for the second period and one of the latter - Michael Elstone, who is on the books of Fulham - put Wrexham ahead, scoring at the second attempt after Jack Mackreth forced a mistake out of a defender.

Ricketts was pleased all his players had a good work out.

"You are trying to build fitness as well as trying to implement a few little ideas," said Ricketts.

"They came out in patches, especially in the first half, really well and there are bits that you can do better.

"We have only done a few little patterns in possession, we have done nothing out of possession yet and I think that was evident.

"First half we got all the lads playing and in the second half we gave the youth team an opportunity to play.

"Some of these lads were in school last year, or if they weren't they were at the club and it is not often they get a chance to play in front of this many fans.

"It gives the fans a chance to see them and lets me have a good look at them as well because ultimately, going forward, if we can produce our own players that is even better."

Ricketts was pleased with how the first week of pre-season panned out and says the hard work will continue ahead of the next friendly at Airbus on Saturday.

"Really good," said Ricketts. "The week has flown by, five days has gone very quickly.

"Really pleased with how it has gone, the fitness levels of the lads are really good and we are on track with that, and the tactical side is starting to come along.

"Everything is just trying to crank it up the whole time. We have got another week's worth of training before the Airbus game, then we go to Portugal for a few days.

"Come back and then it is two games a week until the end of pre-season, that is when you really start seeing the detail coming out both in and without of possession.

"As the longer pre-season goes on, we will get asked more and more questions with regard to the opposition."

Wrexham first half: Dibble; Roberts, M Smith, Pearson, Carrington; Young, Wright; Rutherford, Deverdics, L Smith; Holroyd.

Wrexham second half: Tinkley; Hughes, Beaumont, Williams, Thorn; Sargent, Robinson; Mackreth, McGregor, Pilkington; Elstone. Subs: Allshorn, Bulkeley.