SCOTT McGowan needed less than half an hour to score a first goal of the summer for 1874 Northwich when they eased to a friendly victory at Market Drayton Town.

He converted a penalty to put the visitors to Shropshire in front, a trick he repeated midway through the second-half to add to their advantage.

In between, Jake Parker’s deflected effort had made it 2-0 against the Northern Premier League South East Division side.

At the other end, goalkeeper Tony Aghayere kept out a spot-kick for the hosts.

Management duo Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison included Ryan Mitchell in the starting line-up in the absence of Jack Pritchard – who has a slight knee injury – while former Winsford United defender James Blair started at full-back.

They also sent on new recruit Lee Knight, a striker that finished the previous campaign with Padiham, as a second-half substitute.

Northwich Victoria were too good for Welsh second tier side Llandudno and striker Tom Kilifin, who has arrived from Lancaster City this summer, was on target in a 4-1 win.

Robbie Parry’s penalty replied for the hosts at Maesdu Park.

Winsford United were victors at Abbey Hey, where their goals were scored by new signings.

Adam Barlow and Nathan Cotterell found the net in a 2-1 win for the visitors.

Luke Sutton set Barnton on a course for victory when they took on West Lancashire League side Southport Hesketh at Edge Hill University.

Lee Vaughan doubled the lead for James McShane’s men, who took satisfaction too from keeping a clean-sheet.

Promoted Lostock Gralam ran into one of the North West Counties League’s most impressive attackers when they visited Runcorn Town.

Front man Craig Cairns, back with the home team again after helping City of Liverpool to the Premier Division title last season, claimed all their goals in a 5-1 win.

Elsewhere Middlewich Town brushed aside Madeley White Star, runners-up to Winsford Saxons in the Crewe and District League last term.

Fancy a football fix this summer?

Every game involving a mid Cheshire team is listed here