Chris Cameron believes the Farmer’s Boys couldn’t ask for a better start to pre-season than facing rivals Arthurlie - twice.
Neilston welcome the Barrhead side to the Brig O’Lea Stadium tonight (7pm) for the first leg of the annual Kenny Hay Memorial Trophy, with the second leg next Friday at Dunterlie Park.
Co-manager Cameron’s side narrowly came out on top last year, with ‘Lie going on to enjoy an incredible unbeaten domestic season that saw them promoted to the top flight of the WoSFL.
While Cameron admits it’ll be a tough ask to repeat the feat, he’s targeting winning both legs to keep hold of the trophy and start their 2022/23 campaign in perfect style.
He told Express Sport: “It was a great event last year and we had two very good matches.
“It’s a good standard of opposition for us and the fact it’s a derby always adds a bit more to it as well.
“Arthurlie are a very strong side. They did amazingly well last season and we’re expecting a very tough game.
“I’m not a great fan of pre-seasons to be honest, they’re not really my bag.
“I much prefer when we’re just concentrating on games.
“It’s been a long time since we finished last season so we’re all raring to just get going again.
“The pitch at our bit is looking excellent and it should be a smashing game.
“We’re looking to win both legs and retain the trophy.”
While also building up fitness over the last few weeks in training sessions, Neilston have also been building team spirit off the pitch.
The entire squad recently competed in a Footgolf competition, with Cameron’s co-manager Derek Carson eventually finishing first ahead of Olly Smith and Robbie Halliday.
Cameron believes these kind of exercises are crucial to help build up squad morale heading into a new season.
He said: “The Footgolf was a brilliant day out. We did it the season before Covid hit and it was a right good laugh.
“A lot of teams go away and play a team somewhere else, but we’ve found this to work really well.
“It’s important for team spirit and we’ve got five new signings already who came along.
“It gives them a chance to get to know the lads which definitely helps going forward.”
