Neilston co-manager Martin Campbell could not fault his side’s performance as they picked up a 3-0 victory on the road at Craigmark Burtonians. 

Euan Clark, Paul Stewart and Dylan Fletcher’s goals helped secure a comfortable win with the Farmer’s Boys enjoying a tremendous start to their West Championship campaign.

The visitors got off on the front foot and their pressure paid off when they opened the scoring inside 10 minutes. Lewis Lovering’s corner was flicked on to Clark at the back post who managed to squeeze it home.

Neilston came close to doubling their advantage two minutes later when Stewart was denied by an excellent stop from the Craigmark keeper.

The Dalmellington side never got going in the first 45, struggling to trouble the Farmer’s Boys.

Fletcher failed to punish sloppy defending moments later after he was afforded space in the area, but his effort sailed wide.

Campbell’s side pushed forward in search of their second and looked to have found it before the break when Stewart’s effort had the beating of the keeper but was cleared off the line.

Neilston doubled their lead in the 76th minutes when Kieran McDade was fouled 30 yards out. Stewart stepped up and produced a stunning finish, curling his free-kick over the wall into the top corner.

That was Stewart’s last touch as he was replaced by Craig Patterson.
And the substitute made an immediate impact, playing it through for Fletcher who slotted it home to secure the points. 

Both side’s were forced to finish the match with 10 men after an off the ball incident saw sub Patterson and a Craigmark player were ordered off, but it did little to impact the outcome.

And Campbell was pleased that his side dug in to wrap the game up when the opposition were threatening. 

He said: “I thought we looked very much in command. Some of the football in the first half was great to watch and we were actually a bit disappointed to only be 1-0 up. 

“At 1-0 you keep the opposition in the game and we said at half time that we had to put the game to bed, and in the second half Craigmark came out and had a really good period. 

“We didn’t play the kind of football that we were playing in the first half. 

“After we got the second we were comfortable and started to play the way we were in the second half once again. It was a convincing win. 

“It doesn’t matter who you’re playing - a 3-0 away win is a great result.” 

Last week’s Junior Scottish Cup draw has paired Neilston against Scone Thistle from the East of Scotland league, and they are a side that Campbell admits he doesn’t know much about. 

He is hopeful, however, of pulling in some favours from connections he has. 

He said: “We don’t know much about them but I do have some contacts from that area so I’ll have a wee word with them and see what they think of them. 

“They got a good result at the weekend so it’ll be a tough test tonight.”