Welwyn Garden City were without two of their big summer signings but still opened their pre-season campaign with a victory.

Playing away to Cockfosters, goals from Jack Vasey and Lucas Jordan sealed a 2-0 success.

And while there was no sight of either the former St Albans City man, James Kaloczi, or Brad Wadkins, recruited from Berkhamsted, City boss Marc Weatherstone was still able to field two separate sides for each half, trialists making up any shortfall.

One new face did start, former Potter Bar Town striker Dernell Wynter, alongside the likes of Charlie Crowley, Yasin Boodhoo, Ryan Doherty, Harvey Steel, Ethan Kessel and Bailey Stevenson from last year's squad as well as four would-be signings.

They were given a tough test too by the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side, who finished the last campaign in fifth.

It took a good block from Boodhoo in front of goal on 25 minutes to prevent Cockfosters opening the scoring and then Crowley was extended to his only save of the half, stretching to push away a snapshot.

In reply, although very comfortable in defence, WGC only produced half chances for Wynter and Stevenson.

But that changed quickly in the second half, when manager Weatherstone changed all but Steel at left-back and brought on a line-up containing another three trialists.

The second-half side also included James Mulley and Vasey in midfield, defenders Zak Brown and Josh Steele and teenage strike pair Henry Jones and Jordan.

Within two minutes of the restart, the Citizens were ahead, Vasey striking a rising drive into the top corner through the home keeper’s hands.

Eight minutes later he connected even crisper but while this one flew above the keeper, the crossbar denied him a second.

His day was done five minutes later as he picked up an ankle injury, Weatherstone opting to play the final half-hour with 10 men.

But it was scarcely noticeable, so on top were WGC and when Mulley collected a free-kick to chip over a great cross, Jones took off with a fine header past the keeper only to see it bounce out off the post.

Ten minutes from time, teenager Jones waltzed around the keeper after super work from fellow youngster Jordan to roll home, only to be ruled offside.

But inside the next minute, clever trickery by Jordan saw him slip through the entire home defence to shoot home and confirm a comfortable, opening day victory.

WGC: Crowley, trialist, Boodhoo, Doherty, Steel, trialist, Kessel, trialist, Stevenson, trialist, Wynter.

Subs: Brown, Steele, Mulley, Vasey, Jones, Jordan and three trialists.