Neilston co-boss Chris Cameron admits he can’t wait for the return of competitive action this weekend as the new West of Scotland Football League season kicks off.

The Farmer’s Boys host Wishaw on Saturday and hope to build on last season’s success, which saw them win all eight of their league games before the campaign was brought to a premature end by the Covid pandemic.

It will be a hectic start for 38-year-old Cameron and his players, with matches being played on Saturdays and Wednesdays, but he insists everyone at the Brig O’Lea is raring to go.

He told Barrhead Sport: “I’m not a fan of pre-season. There’s too much messing about, trying to get everybody equal game time and playing lads out of position, and sometimes the results are pretty false, so I can’t wait for the real stuff.

“All the lads know that, if they have a jersey, they need to work to keep it and lads that don’t have one need to do something to get it.

“I can’t wait to get started. The fact it’s a Saturday, then Wednesday, start is great. Lads just want to play games.”

Neilston lost their final pre-season game on Saturday as Blantyre Victoria recorded a 2-1 victory at the KG Stadium.

The visitors fell behind early on when Lewis MacDonald struck after two minutes and the lead was doubled after 26 minutes as Dale Jones scored from the penalty spot.

Neilston pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, thanks to Ross MacKinnon’s free-kick, but were unable to find an equaliser.

However, Cameron’s troops can take confidence from pre-season wins against Arthurlie, Renfrew and Glenvale.

They were also unlucky to lose to Auchinleck Talbot, with the gaffer impressed by their efforts.

Cameron added: “Arthurlie are a really strong side and we played them over two games and there wasn’t much in it.

“We played Talbot, who for me are the best team at our level, and there was nothing in the game. To lose 1-0 was disappointing.”

Arthurlie’s senior team didn’t play at the weekend but are now focusing on their opening league game against Glasgow University.

The Barrhead club’s development side secured a 3-2 win over Arthurlie Amateurs as an open day took place at Dunterlie Park on Saturday.

For more on the Arthurlie open day, turn to the centre pages.