BREAKING the season into each quarter and setting a points target is what Kelty Hearts hope will see them champions at the campaign’s end.

The SPFL newcomers go into this weekend’s clash with Annan Athletic – the only opponent they have still to face in League Two – sitting top of the table after an unbeaten start.

Saturday’s win over Stranraer, courtesy of Nathan Austin’s 10th goal in nine games in all competitions, was their sixth win and moves them four points clear of Stirling Albion, and five ahead of Annan.

Regardless of the outcome against the Galabank visitors, Kelty will be top going into next week’s international break, and assistant manager, Kevin McDonald, realises the significance that another three points would provide.

“If we win on Saturday, we then put eight points between us and Annan going into the break, and then we’re away to Edinburgh City, so it’ll be a bit of a six-pointer,” he told Times Sport.

“We try to break the season up into quarters and Saturday’s the last quarter. We know what sort of points total we want from each quarter and what will get us over the line.

“Once Saturday’s out the road, we’ll then reassess the next quarter and see what points total we can get to, and just keep on hitting them that way.”

On his team’s sparkling start to the season, McDonald continued: “It’s funny because you’re never pleased really. We do feel the Elgin game (a 1-1 draw) was dropped points, and feel that if we go on to win on Saturday, we’d be sitting on 25 points from a possible 27.

“We are a little disappointed we have had the two draws because we have been playing well, but it’s a tough league. You see Edinburgh City and Stirling Albion, they’ve now picked up and they’re on a good run, so any type of slip-up or any complacency, I’m pretty sure the teams behind won’t be far in catching you.

“I think Annan, without being disrespectful, were a little bit of a surprise to be where they were at so early in the season; they just seemed to keep on winning. I think they’ll fancy themselves and have a go.”

On the injury front, Jordon Forster and Dougie Hill will have their fitness assessed after picking up knocks. Recent loan signing from Aberdeen, Kieran Ngwenya, could be fit to train with the squad having pulled out of the line-up at Albion Rovers with a groin injury.

“We’ve been a bit unlucky with injuries but now we’ve got Saturday’s game, and then a wee international break, then fingers crossed we can get all the squad back together and give the gaffer something to choose from,” McDonald added.

“Every team’s had their struggles, so it’s something we haven’t wanted to pipe up about, moan about or use as excuses because we’ve got a good squad.”