NEILSTON co-boss Derek Carson reckons Saturday’s win over Carluke Rovers was the ideal early Christmas present.

The Farmer’s Boys sit top of the tree in Conference B of the West of Scotland Football League as their 4-2 victory at the Brig o’Lea made it eight wins from eight games.

It means they head into a three-week festive break in good spirits.

Carson’s team found themselves trailing for the first time this season as Carluke took an early lead but he was delighted with their response.

He told Barrhead Sport: “We knew we had a three-week break coming up and, if we dropped points, it would be a long, long time to sit and think about the draw or defeat.

“It would have undone all the hard work that we have done already this season.

“Fair play to the boys because they didn’t lose their heads after going a goal down so early. It was the first time that’s happened this season and they bounced back brilliantly.

“We scored three really good, quick goals and, at half-time, we said the next goal would be the most important, so it was good to get the fourth.”
Neilston took their foot off the gas as the second half continued, allowing Carluke to make the scoreline look more respectable.

“It isn’t like us to do that,” said Carson. “Usually, we would have gone on and scored five or six but we seemed to relax and let them back into it but the whole aim was just to get three points.

“We can go and enjoy Christmas now and then regroup after the New Year.”
The visitors took the lead after just a couple of minutes, courtesy of a penalty by Edward Haley after a contentious handball decision.

Neilston had a very similar shout for a spot-kick of their own turned down just moments later.

However, the equaliser duly arrived as Dylan Fletcher drilled the ball through a busy penalty area and into the net, before Conor Bolger gave the home team the advantage two minutes later with a well-taken goal.

Adam Forde fired home from close range to put Neilston firmly in control at the break and the Pollok loanee added a fourth with a header in the second half.

There was still time for Carluke to pull another goal back before full-time as their second penalty of the afternoon was converted by Lewis Hill.