If ever there was a time when Neilston co-bosses Chris Cameron and Derek Carson might have felt it would be better to look backwards rather than forwards, it is now.
A year ago the close friends pair were fronting up an exciting Farmers Boys side, sitting second top of WoSFL Conference C , and whose array of attack minded types, Sean Stirling, Connor Bolger, Kieran Brophy and Kieron Maxwell among others, had the prospect of securing the one promotion place to the Premier Division looking a very strong possibility (Petershill came out on top in the final reckoning).
Supporters were openly enthusing over the `What’s To Come` potential of this Brig O’Lea grouping however fast forward twelve months and the sheer paucity of their team’s performance when going down 2-0 away to First Division basement strugglers Rossvale on Saturday, prompted both Cameron and Carson to tender their resignations immediately after the final whistle.
Former midfielder Cameron insisted, “If truth be told this is something that has been coming for 7/8 weeks and is not any spur of the moment reaction to today’s game.
“Injuries to key players have not helped our cause however what’s more to the point is Derek and I feel we are not getting a tune out of the players like we did previously so the time has come to stand aside and let someone else come in to pick up the baton.
“I’m a Neilston boy and want the team to do well so this is for the best!
Neilston club officials were quick off the mark in inviting applications for their vacant managerial post while also paying tribute to the outgoing former players with an official statement which read
“The committee has very reluctantly accepted the resignations of co- managers Chris Cameron and Derek Carson.
Chris and Derek have been outstanding servants to our club, both on and off the pitch over many years, and we wish the two of them every success in the future.”
CARSON (front) and CAMERON (background) at work in the dugout
The understandably sombre quietude emanating from the away dressing room was in stark contrast to the sounds of raucous Rossvale celebrations over what was their second league win of the season and one that gleaned something of a mixed reward …a welcome three points haul but no improvement whatsoever to their second bottom of the table positioning.
It would be a fair reflection to say this Petershill Park contest wasn’t always much to look at given that goalmouth thrills and spills were few and far between particularly during an opening 45 minutes just about edged by Neilston if we are talking in terms of what near things did actually occur.
A promising start when visiting midfielder Ollie Smith had a netbound shot superbly saved by Vale No 1 Chris Prior proved a false dawn because the next call to arms for the experienced keeper was fully 30 minutes later when he raced off his line to block an attempted lob shot by Dylan Fletcher when the Neilston striker had been put clean through on goal by a probing forward pass from skipper Euan Clark.
Rossvale’s neat and tidy passing had them dominant territorially and looking good on the eye however they were making precious little headway in the final third and indeed a terrific blocking tackle by defender Alex Chatterton came to their rescue in thwarting a Fletcher shot that would have almost certainly have seen them trail at the halfway stage instead of heading inside with the teams locked at 0-0.
Home team boss Kevin Kelly’s choice words in the ears of his charges brought a visible increase to Rossvale’s tempo on the resumption and it very quickly became clear that their energy and willingness to get about the pitch was not to the liking of Neilston.
Their midfield pairing of Connor McLaughlin and more experienced sidekick Jason Elliot were now running the show and this resulted in the nearest thing to an opening score arriving in 59 minutes when a rasping Elliot free kick from all of 30 yards left Neilston goalkeeper Grant Hay looking on helplessly as the ball flew inches wide of his upright.
There was to be no let-up in the pressure for the visiting rearguard and it told eventually, 67 minutes to be precise, when McLaughlin’s angular cross from the right-side found Connor McAteer doing what every striker should in making a run across the front of Neilston’s central defenders to cleverly glance a header into the far corner of the net.
The 24 year old ‘s close control and dribbling skills had saw him emerge as a thorn in the flesh of Paul Doyle & Co since second half proceedings had got underway so it was no real surprise when nearing full time he popped up at a goalmouth scramble to seal Rossvale’s victory with a close range opportunist strike .
The slightly built hitman admitted afterwards, “The gaffer Kevin and his coaches John McGowan and Stevie Saunders have worked hard on improving my game so today’s goals are for them as much as me.
“I came here from Kilsyth Athletic hoping to get regular game time but injuries along with a loss confidence has restricted my appearances and I’ve only managed a total of six goals or the season to date
“Hopefully the lift from today will help to put that right and I can kick on from here.“
Smiling team boss Kelly, installed in August as the 11tht holder of the Rossvale reins since their arrival on the Junior scene in 2010, gave a knowing nod when asked to explain why his side’s winning performance could be so much at odds with such a lowly league placing .
He insisted, “A lot of people have been saying we needed a first win under our belts to see us turn the corner so hopefully that’s us on the way now however it’s not come about without a lot of hard work from everyone connected with the club …my Management team , the Committee and of course the Players themselves .
“They gave their collective all today to earn what was a fully deserved victory and I cannot fault any of them though a special mention is due to the two Connors , McAteer and McLaughlin who I’m pleased to see reaping the rewards for all their hard work and effort on the training ground. “
On a further footnote, one cannot but help pass comment on the performance of Referee Ross Haswell whose friends and relatives cannot expect to receive season’s greetings through the traditional post method judging by the experienced whistler’s aversion to cards of the red and yellow variety throughout the 90 minutes .
Rather refreshingly, Ross did not once reach for his pocket even if Neilston front man Fletcher complaining about his `joy and goodwill to all men` approach after being dumped on his backside for the 4th/5th time by over robust challenges
Meanwhile , the only other competitive fixture to beat the weather saw Fourth Division strugglers Glenvale climb off bottom spot with a 3-1 triumph over BSC Glasgow.
And the friendly joust between Pollok and Kilsyth Rangers resulted in the lower league side taking a 7-0 beating through goals from Adam Forde, Johnny Lyon, Craig Menzies, Chris Duff(2) Kamil Krol and Robbie Buchanan.
WEEKEND RESULTS: PDM Buildbase First Division. Rossvale 2 Neilston 0, PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. Glenvale 3 BSC Glasgow 1.
Regards
Jim O’Donnell
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