DANNY Griggs smashed a hat-trick as Nantwich Town underlined their credentials as promotion candidates.
The long-serving forward, 25, scored a superb treble at the Welsh Premier League outfit, and Stuart Scheuber's effort rounded off an impressive display, on Saturday.
The win came on the back of as creditable performance in the 3-1 defeat to Crewe Alex in midweek, when Jamie Marrow got a late consolation.
Chairman Clive Jackson is pleased with the pre-season preparations so far. He said: 'I think Crewe put out a reasonably strong squad and looked sharper than us, but I thought we gave a good account of ourselves.
'And the 4-0 win at Connah's Quay was excellent. We are pleased with the way the games have gone in the absence of two of our key men.'
Player-boss Steve Davis, who is on holiday, and forward Matt Blake, who could be out until September with a knee injury, have not been involved so far and will provide a big boost when they return to fitness for the North West Counties League Division One campaign.
Now Nantwich are gearing up to welcome Stoke City to Jackson Avenue on Saturday (3pm), and Witton Albion on Tuesday (7.45pm).
Jackson added: 'Stoke are in Austria at the moment and we are hoping they will bring a strong team to Jackson Avenue on Saturday.'
Glossop North End will be the visitors to Nantwich for the opening day of the season, on Saturday August 12. The Dabbers will travel to Trafford on Tuesday, August 15 before visiting moneybags FC United at Gigg Lane on Saturday, August 19.
See next week's Chronicle for a full fixture list of Nantwich Town's 2006-07 campaign.
