NEILSTON co-manager Derek Carson says that his side could have hit double figures on Saturday as they brushed aside Irvine Victoria 5-0 at Victoria Park.

Paul Stewart netted a hat-trick alongside goals from Allan Diack and Cammy Haddow as The Farmer’s Boys put five past The Vics for the second time this season.

Diack opened the scoring after 10 minutes when he scrambled the ball home from close range.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Stewart slotted into an empty net after Dylan Fletcher unselfishly squared the ball across goal.

The hosts were reduced to ten men in the first-half as Stewart and Diack passed up golden chances to put the game out of sight.

Seven minutes into the second-half Stewart slotted home a penalty before Haddow made it four after 72 minutes.

Stewart secured his hat-trick when he glanced a header home with just a few minutes remaining.

And Carson hopes that the result and performance is a sign of what can happen when he has a full squad to choose from. 

He said: “We’ve got just about everybody back fit now so we could put out our strongest team.

“We told the boys to start the game fast and get the first goal because Irvine have had a few heavy defeats and we could take control from there.

“Our only complaint is that we didn’t take more chances. It could have been double figures.

“We know what the boys can do and it’s just a matter of them believing it themselves. I think they realise that they are good players.”