CWMBRAN Town manager Tony Willcox had mixed reactions following his side's 2-0 friendly win over Maesteg Park Athletic last night.

Whilst pleased with the performance of his players Willcox admitted that there was still a lot of work to be done before the beginning of the season.

"The point of these games is to have a look at various players in different positions," said the Cwmbran boss.

"We've tried a few different systems with people playing in different positions. Over the last two games we've looked at around 23 players.

"There's still a long way to go but from now on we're going to try and settle into a definite pattern of play with a more established side."

Last night's clash with Maesteg was more about the Cwmbran Town coaches looking at their squad, and the combination between Lee Brown and Craig Hughes for the first goal would have been pleasing.

The second came from a penalty, but the build up to it saw the Crows play a series of neat passes.

One thing though is certain from last night's performance - Cwmbran will have a squad easily capable of becoming League of Wales champions. The introduction of Dean Philpott in defence and the return of midfielder Shaun Wharton to the club where he won a League title in 1992 has given the entire side a much more organised look.

Too often toward the end of last season the Cwmbran defence got into trouble because of a lack of organisation, Philpott brings that in spades as well as a strong and much needed aerial presence.

Midfield is a place where, to use an old cliche, Willcox is likely to have an embarrasement of riches.

Last night alongside Wharton, Cwmbran gave trials to Newport County's Darren Beckett, Merthyr Tydfil's Mike Regan, and Camarthen's Richard Parker.

Beckett and Wharton were particularly impressive in the centre of the midfield, as was Regan who played on both flanks at different periods in the second half.

Regan also gives Cwmbran an option to play a wing-back system as both he and Richard Carter can operate in that position.

Up-front Craig Hughes and Lee Brown appear to be the obvious pairing to start the season, but yesterday against Maesteg Town played with three strikers for the majority of the game.

Sean Mainwaring, a close season signing from FieldsPark, and Jason Welsh were used in the second half in various combinations alongside Brown and Parker and neither would be out of place in a starting line-up.

The only worry for the Crows management will be the temprement of striker Brown. With Jody Jenkins and Mattie Davies no longer around to score goals, a lot of responsibility will be placed on Brown's shoulders.

Several times last night Brown seemed to go out of his way to clash with opposing players and he will need to control his emotions better in the coming months.