FORMER Newcastle United youngster Michael Ndiweni and his fellow Darlington trialists will get further opportunities to impress before Steve Watson makes a decision on their futures.

Ndiweni, who was released by the Magpies earlier this summer, was on the scoresheet for Quakers as Steve Watson's side started pre-season with an impressive 5-0 win at Bishop Auckland on Friday night.

Ndiweni signed pro terms with Newcastle two years ago and trained with Eddie Howe's first team but was unable to break through and allowed to move on this summer.

Summer signing Jack Maskell was also among the goals on Friday night, with Cedric Main having opened the scoring and Cameron Salkeld chipping in with a couple.

Darlington will continue their preparations for the coming National League North campaign away at Hebburn on Tuesday night, with Watson keen to take another look at the players currently on trial.

"We had four good days training but getting into football gets the lungs going," said Darlington's boss after the win at Bishop.

"There are going to be mistakes pre-season but I liked the way we reacted to mistakes. There are a lot we need to improve on but a lot that was really pleasing as well.

"Some of the lads we've had training with us did really well so it gives us something to think about and we'll probably have another look at them on Tuesday.

"We'll need to have a look at as many people as we can and then after Tuesday potentially trim the squad down and build from there."

Watson was delighted to see Maskell get off the mark for Darlington after the striker, prolific in the lower leagues, joined from Dunston earlier this summer.

"Any striker needs a goal to get them going and that will calm Jack down a little bit," said Watson.

"It's a big move for Jack and he's going to be a very big player for us. It was a good goal from Michael, good goal from Jack, two really good goals from Cam. There were a lot of good things but still lots to work on."

Former Hartlepool youngster Archie Small also played, lining up in Darlington's defence and Watson was thrilled with the clean sheet.

Watson said: "He's a boy who can play in a couple of positions. He's probably more of a left-back than left centre half but we're still short of numbers. He was really good. He's not a big lad physically but he's aggressive.

"I was just as happy about a clean sheet as scoring the five goals.

"Pete (Jameson, Darlington's new keeper) will be big for us this season. We're delighted to get him over the line, it took a bit of doing but he'll be a good signing for us."