Notts County kicked off the pre-season campaign with a 4-0 win against Arnold Town at the Eagle Valley Stadium but suffered a blow as Jimmy Spencer limped off injured.
The Magpies’ starting line-up featured four of Shaun Derry’s summer signings, Blair Adams, Alan Smith, Hayden Mullins and Nicky Wroe, who appeared in front of the County supporters as a collective for the first time.
Notts opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Ronan Murray, who slid the ball into the bottom-left corner from the penalty spot.
Spencer had been fouled for the spotkick and looked to be in some pain as he limped to the changing rooms following a lengthy period of treatment.
Aside from the injury concern, the Magpies looked lively, particularly in the wide areas, where the full-backs Adams and Curtis Thompson drove forward at every opportunity.
At the interval, wholesale changes were made, with Kyle Dixon, Cieron Keane, Taylor McKenzie, Brad McGowan and four trialists introduced.
Waite looked a big threat throughout and was rewarded with a goal early into the second half, as the striker latched onto a trialist’s flick-on to slam into the roof of the net.
The former Ilkeston FC frontman’s next goal was created by youth team winger Reco Fyfe, who ghosted past a number of Arnold defenders before delivering a low cross that Waite prodded over the line at close range.
The scoring was wrapped up by another of the trialists - an excellently taken 25-yard free-kick around the wall, which nestled into the bottom-right corner.
It was a good opening workout for the Magpies but fingers are crossed over the fitness of Spencer, whose injury status will be clarified over the next 48 hours.
Full Time Score: Arnold Town 0-4 Notts County (Murray, Waite 2, Trialist)
Attendance: 1,019
Notts County First Half: Bialkowski, Thompson, Adams, Smith, Mullins, Hollis, Balmy, Wroe, Spencer (Waite), Murray, Tempest.
Notts County Second Half: Bialkowski, Dixon, McKenzie, McGowan, Keane, Balmy (Fyfe), Waite, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist.
Look out for post-match reaction and highlights on Magpie Player.