The Magpies kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 5-1 win over Downton on Friday night at The Avenue.
Goals from Matt Buse, debutant Freddie Beale and Corby Moore, plus a brace from summer signing Matty Burrows, earned returning boss Glenn Howes victory in his first game back in charge following his reappointment over the summer.
Following the late switch in opposition and kick-off being moved to Friday night, Howes fielded two different sides in each half, giving minutes to a number of new signings as well as trialists.
In the first half, returning Magpies Ryan Hall, Harvey-Joe Bertrand and Tom Purrington all started, with new boys Jayden Nielsen and Fin Murray also making their first appearances in front of the home supporters.
It was young forward Murray who had the first chance after just six minutes, with the Downton keeper coming out to block his shot.
Ollie Haste then headed wide before Trialist #9 beat the keeper only for a defender to clear away his attempt.
The visitors also started brightly with a couple of decent chances keeping Hall alert, before both Magpies wingers - Trialist #11 and the newly-signed Nielsen - went close.
Both sides then got onto the scoresheet in stoppage time, with the visitors taking the lead through Sam Bradford, before Matt Buse levelled with a close-range finish which was the last kick before the break.
At the interval, Howes made nine changes, including the returning Lewis Toms and Luke Holmes - introduced late in the first 45 - in midfield and U23 player DJ Bowmaster lining up at full-back.
Just three minutes after the restart, teenage winger Beale grabbed his first goal in black and white, slotting home at the back post from Burrows' delivery across the six-yard box at the Bypass End.
The same combination nearly produced another goal, however, Beale's strike was tipped away by a good save from the visiting keeper.
On 68 minutes, Beale turned provider with a low pass for Burrows to fire home his maiden Magpies goal at the far post.
The home side soon made it four with a sensational strike from Corby Moore, after Beale's cross found the captain on the edge of the area to volley home with a fine first-time finish into the top corner.
Ten minutes from time, Burrows completed the scoring with our fifth and final goal - and his second of the evening - from Trialist #11's cross.
Next up for Howes' side is a visit to Cobham Sports on Tuesday night (KO 7pm).
Magpies First Half XI: Hall; Bertrand, Turner, Spetch, Haste; Buse, Purrington; Nielsen, Murray, Trialist #11 (Holmes); Trialist #9
Magpies Second Half XI: Trialist #13, Trialist #19, Moore, Trialist #14, Bowmaster; Toms, Holmes, Trialist #16; Beale, Trialist #9 (Trialist #11), Burrows.
Report: Sam Bernard