The old cliché is that the result in pre-season doesn’t matter; it’s all about the fitness, or the tactics, or the team gelling. An extreme example is that of Newcastle United, who were hammered 6-1 by Leyton Orient the summer before winning the Football League Championship in 2010.

But Falmouth Town boss Andrew Westgarth can have his cake and eat it after his side enjoyed a three-goal victory at home to Peterborough United under-18s in their first pre-season friendly of the summer, and looked rather impressive in doing so.

Three fine goals from Luke Brabyn, Olly Walker and Tim Nixon saw Town put a Peterborough side managed by former Falmouth youth-teamer and Premier League midfielder Matty Etherington to the sword.

Pre-season is a time for clubs to show off their new signings for the first time, and Falmouth had three on show against the Posh. The first was Luke Barner, a forward who has joined from the University of Exeter’s South West Peninsula League side, and the early impression is that this could turn out to be a very shrewd signing.

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Falmouth's new signing Luke Barner

Barner was one of the liveliest players on the park throughout the game but it was in the first half when he shone brightest. With a nice burst of pace, good skill on the ball and no apparent fear in taking on defenders, this could certainly be a very early dark horse for signing of the summer when looking back on the campaign next May.

Barner regularly linked up well with his near-namesake Brabyn, which bodes well for the coming season. Brabyn, who was the lone striker due to the absence of both Matt Buchan (holiday) and Jack Bowyer (work), was his usual industrious self up top and put Town ahead after 20 minutes. David Broglino’s nicely weighted lobbed ball was met by the frontman, who left the defence for dead and drove the ball into the corner, which proved to be the only goal of the half.

The second half began with a few changes, including the move of Town coach Charlie Davis into the position of linesman, after the initial lineswoman was taken ill at half-time.

On the pitch, we saw the first of centre-back Ben Oliver, who replaced youngster Reuben Talbot at the break. Oliver has good pedigree, having captained Penryn Athletic’s SWPL side a couple of seasons ago, and he put in a solid second-half display.

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Town's new signing Ben Oliver (centre)

But it was the third and final new - or not quite so new - signing that stole the show after the break. Walker made his first appearance since re-joining Falmouth earlier in the week, and he instantly reminded the Bickland Park faithful of what he was all about.

His trademark blistering pace and limitless energy were causing havoc and resulted in the second goal ten minutes into the second half. Moments after protesting the award of a Posh free-kick in their own third, Walker stole the ball and slotted it past the ‘keeper from a tight angle before wheeling away in delight.

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Olly Walker (left) scores his first goal since re-joining Town

Town were now in control and Nixon made sure of the victory ten minutes from time, with the midfielder linking up with fellow sub Westgarth and delightfully curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box.

The win was now secured but Town still had to work to preserve the clean sheet. Ryan Barnes saw two clearances charged down and drop wide, although he redeemed himself with a couple of fine stops.

Peterborough did have the ball in the net in the final minute, but it was ruled out for offside by the Town coach-turned-linesman. Conspiracy? Surely not, although it wouldn’t have made much difference.

Three goals, three excellent finishes and one clean sheet all made for a rather fine first pre-season outing, even if the result doesn’t matter.