PHIL PARKINSON is still looking for more new signings but he wants the young players in his squad to make the most of their opportunities.

Wrexham kicked off their pre-season programme with a comfortable 5-2 win against Nantwich Town at The Weaver Stadium.

Reds' boss Parkinson named a different side in each half for the contest against the Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit, with a number of youth graduates featuring alongside senior players and two trialists.

Goalkeeper Mark Howard was the only one of the three new signings who got a run-out, with Jordan Tunnicliffe and Elliot Lee sitting out the contest, and Parkinson was pleased with how the younger members of his squad performed alongside more experienced team-mates.

"It was a fitness exercise, that was the aim today," said Parkinson.

"We mixed the teams up, although leading into the game we were thinking of going more senior first and then younger second half.

"But I wanted to give young players chance to shine with some senior players around them and I felt that they did that.

"The pleasing part was young Dan Davies was excellent as the left-sided centre-back in the first half and Kai Evans, playing that number 10 role in the second half, scored a goal, hit the bar and had another great shot.

"That is a real bonus for us because we took the decision to give these players contracts and we are looking at entering a C team in a league this year to really try and progress them, and I was pleased in the main with how they looked.

"Nothing is ever given to you in football, you have got to really earn it, and they had a good start today."

It might only have been a friendly but Parkinson was pleased to start racking up the goals and get a victory on the board ahead of the start of the 2022-23 National League campaign when Wrexham will again be expected to challenge for promotion.

"It is good to score goals and it is good to win, so of course it matters," said Parkinson.

"It is good to inspire that feeling in the team and we have shown that today.

"It was a good exercise, a good fitness exercise which will benefit us.

"It was all about getting minutes under the belt and we will get on the plane in good spirits."

Nantwich made a bright start and had a couple of early efforts but Wrexham took a ninth minute lead with another excellent ball into the penalty area.

James Jones sent in a corner and Aaron Hayden, who has recovered from a hamstring which meant he missed the last six games of last season, rose highest to head the ball into the top corner.

Trialist A, operating as Wrexham's right wing-back, also had a shot blocked by a defender after progressing into the area while Wrexham had an even better chance to make it 2-0.

Callum McFadzean sent in a cross from the left and an unmarked Jake Hyde headed wide.

Dior Angus elected to go for goal instead of passing following a quick break but his effort was blocked, and Wrexham conceded an equaliser on 35 minutes.

Joel Grant cut inside and fired past Howard to put Nantwich back on level terms.

However, Wrexham were back ahead two minutes later.

Trialist A fired past Louis Gray with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Wrexham, with a different set of players on the pitch, started the second half on the front foot with Evans racing forward before firing against the crossbar.

Ben Tozer headed wide while Ollie Palmer only just cleared the bar with a header following Liam McAlinden's deflected shot.

McAlinden also went close before Wrexham made it 3-1 in the 58th minute.

Dan Jones won the ball, Palmer saw his effort saved by Gray but Evans slotted into the net.

There was no let-up from Wrexham as Jordan Davies' free-kick was parried by Gray, and the midfielder fired wide with another chance.

It soon became 4-1 on 70 minutes when Palmer sent in a dangerous low cross which was converted by McAlinden.

But Nantwich pulled a goal back with Dan Cockerline finding the back of the net with a brilliant drive from outside the area.

Wrexham went upfield and bagged a fifth goal eight minutes from time, last season's leading scorer Mullin slotting home after racing onto Davies' through-ball.

Mullin almost got another but he fired wide with only Gray to beat, and Evans was also thwarted by the keeper as it finished 5-2.

Nantwich (4-4-2): Gray; Stair, Moran, Bourne, Devine; Heath, Robbins, Hughes, Grant; Cockerline, Cooke. Subs: Sheratt,, Leitch-Smith, Trialist, Sutton, Butler, Edwards, Castellano, Walters.

Wrexham 1st half (5-3-2): Howard; Trialist A, Hayden, Cleworth, Dan Davies, McFadzean; O'Connor, James Jones, Bickerstaff; Hyde, Angus.

Wrexham 2nd half (5-3-2): Trialist B; Dan Jones, Aaron James, Tozer, Dave Jones, McAlinden; Jordan Davies, Young, Evans; Mullin, Palmer.

Referee: Ollie Yates.

Attendance: 1,427.