BOTTESFORD Town boss Dave Andrews summed up pre-season friendlies best when telling his side, following a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe United, that Saturday had 'nothing to do with the score-line'.

That may well be true. The fixture was utilised by both sides to build-up players' match fitness in a game that, ultimately, meant nothing, with the result obsolete.

But for a host of United participants, the romp at Birch Park was more significant than most days of their careers.

For new summer signings Jordan Robertson, Jimmy Ryan and Andy Barcham, their second half outing at the non-league ground was the start of, hopefully, successful stints at the club.

Former Sheffield United striker Robertson did not get into the game as much as he would have liked, but a 78th minute strike from inside the area provided him a first goal in Iron colours, which for the day – based on the latest away kit being worn – was black.

Ryan and Barcham were also brought into the fray at the interval, the former putting in an all-action display, popping up in front of the back four but also providing an extra body in attack, while suggesting he won't be shirking any challenges in the future thanks to some hefty 50-50 tackles.

Barcham, given licence to roam as a second striker, grew in stature as the match went on, but was denied a debut goal when one-on-one late in the game.

Showing glimpses of promising form – against a spirited non-league outfit who attempted to give the 670-strong crowd something to cheer about other than Scunthorpe goals – the signs looked good for the trio.

Although difficult to judge, it is even harder to gauge the potential of trialists in an encounter like this.

But United had three in their ranks – Mustafa Tiryaki, Dominic Green and Stephen Brogan.

The first – a striker who failed to agree a deal at Havant and Waterlooville – netted the opening goal on 14 minutes, heading home unmarked from a central position, after Brogan played in Matt Godden down the left.

Showing some neat and tidy touches, the ex-Havant forward has earned a second chance to impress at Winterton Rangers tomorrow, along with Brogan, in a game that Michael O'Connor and Garry Thompson should be fit for, after sitting out Saturday's match as a precautionary measure.

However the most impressive performer on the day was former Peterborough midfielder Green, who went past Bottesford players with ease, slaloming into dangerous territory, while providing decent service into the six-yard box.

It was a corner from his left flank that created the second Scunthorpe goal, four minutes after the first, Godden's deflected effort finding a way into the back of the net.

Chris Dagnall's clinical low effort across goal from the right made it three on 23 minutes, before Bobby Grant – who was a constant threat throughout his second half display – scored one of the goals of the game in the second period, smashing a swerving 53rd minute drive into the roof of the net from distance.

A mis-hit Paul Reid volley looped into the goal for number five 14 minutes later, prior to Mark Duffy striking superbly into the far corner from the left shortly after.

Robertson then rounded off the scoring to mark a positive start to the Iron's season.

There is little doubting that sterner tests lie ahead in League One.

But, as the football cliche goes, you can only beat what is in front of you.

Scunthorpe managed that, and in some style too.

IRON TEAM (FIRST HALF): Lillis, Brogan, Nelson, Canavan, Wright, Green, Togwell, Collins, Godden, Dagnall, Tiryaki.

IRON TEAM (SECOND HALF): Slocombe, Nolan, Reid, Raynes, Palmer, Duffy, Ryan, Hughes, Barcham, Grant, Robertson.