Two Thirds of Merrys’ Mersey Hopping Mafia; The Cheshire One teamed up with Bishop Stortford's Finest (FGIF's very own Pixel Perfection Meister Herr Less & Less Gary Spooner) for an across the border foray. Last time Messrs Leigh & Brown attempted to go across the border were nearly scuppered by a cable theft at Broad Green. No such problems this time, got to Wigan ok. Our travelling companion had got on at Crewe only to find that our seats had been double booked. Mr Spooner who is not averse to a little moan or to complain, spoke to the train manager and we duly upgraded to the first class compartment.

On arrival into Glasgow we then headed to Wetherspoons near Central Station – not the Crystal Palace, the one on the other side of the station where a hot breakfast (for a change) was heartily consumed.

Neilston is a village and parish in East Renfrewshire in the Western Central Lowlands of Scotland situated in the Levern Valley - 2 miles south west of Barrhead; 4 miles south of Paisley and 6 miles south-south west of Renfrew on the fringes of the Greater Glasgow conurbation.

Neilston Station was opened in May 1903 and is the western terminus of the Cathcart Circle Lines from Glasgow Central 11.7 miles away. It was constructed when the Lanarkshire & Ayrshire built its line through the village to the coast at Ardrossan. There was also a Neilston Low Station part of the Glasgow Barrhead & Neilston Direct Railway. When it opened in 1885 it was originally called Crofthead but it was re-named Neilston in 1868, however it was closed shortly in 1870. It re-opened in March 1871 and became part of the Glasgow Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway. It was re-named Neilston Low Station in January 1953 and closed permanently in 1966. The line still remains as part of the Glasgow South Western Line, though the station is long gone.

Neilston Juniors were formed in 1945 and play at the Brig O’ Lea Stadium at the far end of Main Street. The welcome message at the gate refers to them as the Farmers’ Boys. There is a covered enclosure along the far side of Brig O’ Lea Stadium, the hut operates alongside the dressing rooms on the near side. At one end there is grass banking and the near end there is a wall. Last season Neilston won the Central District First Division title hence before the game the Championship Flag was hoisted.

Both teams were eager to start their campaigns on a positive note and each went in search of an early goal. Neilston had an early penalty appeal rejected. McGaughey could have done better when his header connected poorly with a James Canning free-kick and Bryan Smith squandered a good opportunity when he blazed over the bar after a dodgy defensive clearance from Ardeer. At the other end, Ross Stewart called Neilston keeper Cammy Sinclair into action to save his header from a Lee Munro cross before Scott Reid had a low shot from distance held by the keeper.
The first 30 minutes had been largely even with Neilston probably having slightly more of the attacking play, and they went on to open the scoring in the 32nd minute. Steven Tan was punished for dithering with the ball in his own box as he was dispossessed by McCaughey and although Paul McCann tried to stop his shot the visitors got the break of the ball as it spun off the keeper and into the net. The hosts seemed invigorated by the opener and Paul McCann denied them a quick-fire double as he made a great save to turn away a powerful Bryan Smith effort. Nevertheless, Neilston did go 2-0 up in the 42nd minute. Toni Paton’s misplaced pass went to a Neilston midfielder and the opportunity was capitalised upon, the initial shot being saved but Kennedy was well-placed to score with the rebound.

At 2-0 down at the interval things looked pretty bleak for Ardeer. However, if not for individual errors the game could have been scoreless and the team rallied with a great comeback in the second half. They got one back just after the hour mark when Lee Munro passed to substitute Stephen Reid at the edge of the area who curled an effort into the top corner giving Sinclair no chance. Ardeer’s confidence grew as they dominated for the next 15 minutes and then equalised in the 74th minute. Stephen Reid received a fine pass between two home defenders, controlling the ball with his head and then finishing past the advancing 'keeper.

Ardeer fans were delighted with the team’s fighting spirit and were celebrating once again when they went 3-2 up a minute after equalising. Scott Reid and David Smith combined well on the right flank, with Smith drilling a low ball across the face of the goal which was knocked into the net by Ross Stewart. Neilston were collapsing at this point but mounted a late comeback of their own. Stephen Docherty’s cross looked destined to find the top corner of the net but was headed out for a corner by a last-ditch Craig Breen. However, Breen then went on to concede a penalty kick a few minutes later, clumsily clattering a home attacker as he was about to shoot for goal. Neilston set-piece taker James Canning stepped up to hit the spot kick and restored parity with a powerful penalty to Paul McCann’s right hand side.
Ardeer were then reduced to ten men when Scott Reid was sent off in the 88th minute after an off-the-ball incident in which linesman Jonathan Rose believed he elbowed an opponent. This info was relayed to match official Garry Docherty who issued Reid with a straight red card for the alleged offence. Despite their numerical disadvantage Ardeer did have a great chance to grab a winner in stoppage time, Stephen Reid getting through one-on-one against the keeper but Sinclair got down well to collect the ball as the striker attempted to round him.

A quick dash ensured we caught the 4.00pm train back into Glasgow .