Stevie Wilson reckons home form could be key to Ardrossan Winton Rovers' ambitions this season.
Winton find themselves the only Ayrshire side in Conference C in the West of Scotland League as they return from a year on the sidelines.
But boss Wilson isn't too concerned about long away days – it's his side's record at Winton Park he's focused on improving.
The North Ayrshire outfit picked up seven league wins from nine on the road compared to seven from 13 at home in season 2019-20 before Covid stopped football in its tracks.
That overall form was good enough to have Winton sitting pretty at the top of the third tier in the Juniors before lockdown kicked in.
But a points-per-game formula was used to decide champions which saw Winton lose out to Shettleston.
The formation of the West of Scotland League followed and Wilson is determined his side pick up where they left off 16 months on as they target a place in the Championship next year.
And he detects the same desire in his squad.
He said: "The boys came back from pre-season really hungry and generally in better shape than the normally do.
"I think they all got bored of drinking and decided to get out running early and work on their own fitness programme!
"Seriously, though, everyone is buzzing to be back and the boys have been brilliant.
"The aim for us this year has to be to be up there challenging and trying to get to the Championship next year.
"It's going to a be a very tough league though. There are some right good sides in it.
"I'm sure there are teams out there looking at us as one of them but we have to go and do the business on the park.
"Home form is something we want to improve on. It's been fantastic having our supporters back at games and we want to give them something to smile about.
"Ideally, we want to get points on the board early and get some momentum going. We don't want to make life difficult for ourselves."
Wilson has been quick to put the nucleus of a squad together after a year on the sidelines.
New signings include former Dalry Thistle striker David Mills from West Kilbride amateurs, midfielder Sean Mears who returns for a second spell at the club and former Shettleston central midfielder Ruairidh Clark.
Re-signed players include goalkeeper Blair Lochhead, defenders David Ewing, David Donald, Andy McGregor, Kyle Lochhead and Mick Lennox, midfielders Reece Lapham, Paddy Woods, Jordan Bruce, Ryan Singleton and Rory Campbell and forwards Ryan Morrow, Thomas Donovan, Callum McDade and Jamie McKenna.
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