A much changed Wealdstone side proved too strong for Staines Town as they registered an impressive 5-2 win at Wheatsheaf Park on Tuesday.

The Stones showed a clinical streak to dispatch of their Southern League Premier South opponents, as Bobby Wilkinson’s side took another firm step in the right direction ahead of the new season.

Two goals from David Pratt and strikes from debutant Joe White, Jeffrey Monakana, and Matt Lench put Wealdstone 5-0 up.

Even a pair of second half consolation strikes from the home side did little to dampen what was an excellent performance.

While several regulars sat out and Wilkinson opted to rotate his squad, they took just a minute to open their account as Monakana teed up Pratt who powered a diving header into the net.

It was two after just five minutes as White latched on to Jake Sheppard’s pass, controlled the ball with his chest, and then fired home to make it a scoring return in Stones colours.

The game was as good as over as a contest with 20 minutes played as Pratt cleverly converted James Clark’s free-kick.

Wealdstone would then add a fourth before the break as Monakana got in on the act to plant the ball inside the far post after a quick Clark free-kick caught Staines napping.

The Stones did not ease up and were relentless in their quest for goal number five which arrived just three minutes into the second period courtesy of Lench who got on the end of a deflected Freddie Grant cross to finish.

To their credit, however, the hosts did rally momentarily to net a stunning goal of their own just shy of the hour mark.

Good build up play saw George Fry turn provider to feed Brendan Murphy, and he fizzed a superb effort past a helpless Callum Thomas to make it 5-1.

Staines added a second goal through Fry who reacted quickest to beat Thomas with a smart finish, but they were well beaten on the night despite an improved showing in the second half.

While Wealdstone’s preparations continue to provide grounds for optimism, the same cannot be said for Staines who conceded five or more goals for the third time this pre-season.

Next up for the Stones is the ‘Meet the Team’ family day on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, with the visit of Bromley to Grosvenor Vale, followed by a home game against Cardiff Under-23s on Tuesday night.

WEALDSTONE: Thomas, Sheppard, Tyler (Grant 46), Wilson, Mambo, Lench (Williams 59), Monakana (Harris 46), Ahmidi (Green 46), Pratt (Slew 46), White (Abbey 46), Clark.