Neilston can take heart from their gutsy performance against “cup kings” Auchinleck Talbot – despite being on the receiving end of a sore scoreline.
That’s the view of co-boss Chris Cameron after they suffered a bruising South Challenge Cup third-round defeat at the hands of the Premier Division side at Beechwood Park.
The Farmer’s Boys more than held their own against Talbot, almost taking the lead in the first half, but spurning a couple of well-worked opportunities.
That profligacy came back to bite them when the hosts netted through an unfortunate own goal just before the break.
The opener seemed to suck the belief out of the visitors, with Auchinleck going on to win comfortably thanks to efforts from Ross Taylor and Mark Shankland.
Cameron was still upbeat after the match, insisting his players showed they can match top flight teams when they’re at their best.
He told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It’s always a very tough place to go and get a result. There’s no doubt they are the cup kings at our level.
“We played really well in the first half and had two great chances to take the lead.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t take them and they scored an own goal just before half-time.
“That was tough to take because we’d played so well. The boys maybe felt in the dressing room at the break that they’d missed a big opportunity to cause an upset.
“They stepped it up a gear in the second half and there’s no complaints about the final scoreline. Their right winger was superb throughout and they deserved to go through in the end.
“I’m pleased we had a real go and we more than matched them in the first half. The lads enjoyed it and hopefully it’s given them a taste of the level they want to get to.”
As well as giving the players some valuable experience at one of the biggest grounds in the WoSFL, the split gate receipts will also help Neilston off the pitch.
Cameron said: “It was a great occasion and there was a big crowd along for it.
“We’ll get a share of the gate which is good for the club going forward. It’s a boost.
“We want to get to that level and it’s only through playing these teams that you really get to see where you are at as a team.
“To be fair, the main difference was how clinical they were. They only had four good chances but they took three of them and we couldn’t manage the same.”
Cameron also revealed he can’t wait to unleash his two new signings against top of the table Rutherglen Glencairn tonight.
The Farmer’s Boys are hoping to fire their way back up the First Division table – knowing a win this evening would see them jump up to fourth.
Their squad will be boosted by the recent arrivals of former Arthurlie striker Tam McGaughey and ex-Hibs and Queen’s Park youth talent Tommy Lone.
Cameron is looking forward to seeing the impact both players have on the pitch after chasing their signature for several years.
He added: “It’s a really big week for us coming up, with Rutherglen up first and then Thorniewood this weekend.
“If we beat Rutherglen we’ll be right back in the mix. It’s time for no more hard luck stories, we need to start putting points back on the board.
“The two new boys Tam and Tommy will be great signings for us I’m sure. I’ve tried to sign them both three or four times in the past, so I’m glad to finally get them signed up.
“It’s a nice boost for us. Tommy used to play for Rutherglen and his brother still does, so he’ll have an extra incentive to do well going back there.”
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