Broxburn boss Pittman urges side to keep eye on ball as they aim for second successive promotion

Mar 10 2011 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Stevie Pittman

STEVIE PITTMAN has warned his side they have little margin for error as they eye up a second successive promotion.

The Broxburn Athletic boss has steered his side to the top of the East Region Premier League despite this being their first season in the league since winning the South Division title last summer.

They are currently two points clear of second-placed St Andrews United and three ahead of both Glenrothes and Carnoustie Panmure, although two of the sides do have games in hand on the county club.

But, with each of the sides below yet to play one another, Pittman believe his side have what it takes to clinch back-to-back promotions.

Broxburn tightened their grip on top spot by edging a seven-goal all-West Lothian affair against Armadale in a match he admits they couldn’t afford to lose.

He said: “I’ve been drumming it into the players heads for a few weeks that we can’t afford to drop any stupid points. We only have eight games left and I believe we will have to win six or seven of them to go up.

“It is a big challenge and they know what they have to do but I can’t see why we can’t do it. We have good players and it is definitely achievable.

“We have to go to St Andrews which will definitely be a six-pointer and will have a big bearing on things.

“They do have a couple of games in hand but St Andrews have to play Glenrothes twice and, hopefully, they can cut each others’ throats.

“I wouldn’t even mind Glenrothes winning both of those games and for us to go up in second place.

“I’d happily accept that as long as we were promoted.

“It is going to be hard but, if we keep grounded, work hard and get a wee rub of the green, we can do it.

“One mistake could cost us three points and could be the end of it. We definitely need to win five or six of our remaining league matches.

“For me, we can only afford to lose one or draw two matches to win promotion.”