ANDY Preece praised his team’s power after they brushed aside lower-ranked Clitheroe in their first pre-season friendly of the summer.

Vics ran in five goals – strike pair Tony Evans and Michael Clarke helping themselves to a brace apiece – without reply in an encouraging debut.

“There are a lot of positive points to take from what happened out on the pitch,” said Preece.

“I learned a little about the new players after watching them in a match for the first time and was pleased with what I saw.”

Goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe, stopper Ian Kearney, full back Lewis Short, midfield duo Steve Abbott and Kyle Armstrong and front man Ryan Wade all played from the start.

Another newcomer, teenager Adam Sumner, appeared in the second half along with Dominic Collins who is expected to sign before the weekend.

Preece added: “I think the group already looks strong physically, which is something we felt was lacking a little bit at times last season.

“We’ve probably done more training sessions than a lot of our rivals so the lads’ sharpness and base fitness was better than the opposition’s.

“There’s a lot more work to do on that though and we’ll be better still in the next couple of weeks.”

Northwich, who host Blue Square Bet Premier pair Barrow and Kidderminster Harriers next week, shut out the opposition in the 5-0 success.

Trialist Paul Ennis, formerly of Droylsden and Stalybridge Celtic, added the other goal after replacing injured Wade.

“I don’t take much notice of the result; it’s pointless getting carried away when we win and I won’t be beating myself up if we lose in a friendly match,” said Preece.

“The gap between the two Evo-Stik Northern Premier League divisions isn’t a big one though and Clitheroe finished just outside of the play-offs places last season.

“So to win as well as we did will be a boost to the players’ confidence for sure.”