FOR all their success of recent seasons, Eastleigh have never been renowned as big scorers.

But on the evidence of this afternoon’s handsome 4-1 win over Northampton Town – and pre-season in general – all that could be about to change.

With 25 goals scored after eight friendly matches, including five apiece from new strike signings Mikael Mandron and Scott Wilson and four from last season’s top gun James Constable, the Spitfires are taking a real cutting edge into the new Vanarama National League campaign.

Leading by a Constable tap-in at half-time on Saturday, Eastleigh overwhelmed promoted League Two champions Northampton with three goals inside the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Spurred on by a fine save from Ross Flitney to deny Kenji Gorre, the Spitfires broke straight up the other end for Constable to bury the opener after Cobblers’ keeper Adam Smith had failed to deal with Jai Reason’s initial shot.

Mandron blazed a dream chance over two minutes later following neat interplay with Jake Howells and for a while it looked as if the former Sunderland striker had left his shooting boots at home.

But two clinical finishes from well-worked corners in the 49th and 52nd minutes soon put paid to that theory – the first coming after skipper Joe Partington had flicked on Reason’s delivery from the left and the second confidently cracked in from Howell’s corner from the right.

Sub Wilson then made it 4-0 on the hour, tucking away Partington's cross with his first kick of the game.

Town's Shaun McWilliams pulled one back on 75 minutes, but this was exclusively Eastleigh’s afternoon and sub Ross Lafayette came within inches of grabbing a fifth with five minutes to go.

“It was a very positive performance. Regardless of the result, I was happy with the way we played, how we approached the game, the winning mentality,” said Todd.

“All pre-season we’ve been scoring. We’ve got goals throughout the team now. Everyone’s chipping in, whether they’re starting or coming on, it looks very lively.

“Mikael Mandron is a player, without a doubt, and I’m sure he’ll hit the ground running and be a handful for any Conference defender. Wilson’s looking ever so lively. He knows where the net is and keeps scoring goals.

“It’s weird, but it really does feel as if the new players have been here two or three seasons. They get on really well and you could see that in the performance today. That was my half-time talk, I told them you’re looking like a proper team.”

Trialist Ronald Huth, a Paraguay international who last played in Bolivia, had a half-hour run-out at centre-back.

The 6ft 2in 26-year-old is expected to feature again on Monday when Eastleigh conclude pre-season at Gosport Borough (7.45pm).

The real business starts next Saturday with a VNL home opener against Guiseley.