Sileby Rangers were brushed aside by two goals in the first half and seven after the break, Alex Nicholls marking his return from injury with a hat-trick.
The official club website has a full match report but what is most encouraging for Northampton supporters is that manager Wilder has such a settled squad at such an early stage of preparations with the vast majority of transfer business already done.
Aidy Boothroyd named a side containing five trialists for last season's corresponding fixture with veteran defender Darren Purse and forward Mickael Antoine-Curier among the starters and with a constant raft of loan signings and short-term deals being done there was never a settled look to the Cobblers throughout the ensuing campaign.