Chris Cameron is determined to steer Neilston to Strathclyde Demolition Cup success .
That’s because lifting the trophy would earn his side a rare shot at entering the senior Scottish Cup.
The Farmer’s Boys sailed through to the quarter-finals of the new competition thanks to a clinical second half brace from Conor Bolger and a fine finish from Dylan Fletcher.
Should Neilston go on to lift the trophy, they’ll face the winners of the East Region’s equivalent competition in a play-off which will see the winners enter next year’s Scottish Cup.
And co-boss Cameron wants his side to make the most of the opportunity given how tough it normally is for a West of Scotland League side to get a shot at the big boys.
He told Express Sport : “We’re delighted to get through because this competition represents a huge opportunity for us.
“This cup was set up for clubs who didn’t enter the Scottish Junior Cup this season, and whoever wins it gets the chance to play the winner of the east league’s equivalent in a play-off to enter the main Scottish Cup.
“Before now you had to win the Premier Division or win the Scottish Junior Cup to get a shot at the big one, which made it almost impossible for everyone bar the biggest junior sides.
“It’s a huge chance for us to go and compete in the Scottish Cup and hopefully we can go on and manage to do that.”
After a goalless first half, Neilston switched to a more direct approach which paid off handsomely after the break.
Cameron paid a special tribute to youngsters Dominic Reilly, who enjoyed an excellent debut at right back after stepping up from the club’s under-20 side, and Bolger who continues to impress for the Farmer’s Boys.
Cameron said: “We had two or three great chances in the opening 10 minutes which would have put us in cruise control. Unfortunately we couldn’t convert and Port Glasgow worked their way back into the tie.
“We gave the boys a few choice words at half-time, put two up front and told them to be more direct. Credit to the boys because they managed to get the job done.
“Both our right backs are injured at the moment, and while we could have switched a left back over there we thought we should give Reilly a chance.
“We’ve watched the development team a lot this season so we knew he could step up. Even so he was excellent. He was probably our best performer of the first half.
“He absolutely didn’t look out of place which is a huge compliment at his age.
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“Bolger hasn’t hit his own high standards this season, but he always carries that goal threat with his pace and his set pieces.
“He’s drawing admiring glances from other teams, as are all five of our attacking players, but we’re not worried because the lads all enjoy their football here.”
