TOP-OF-THE-TABLE Musselburgh Athletic have been encouraged to build on their opening-day win.

The Honest Toun team were 4-0 winners at Edinburgh University to become the early pacesetters in the top flight of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL).

Last season, Liam Burns and his team were left chasing eventual EoSFL Premier Division winners Broxburn Athletic, who refused to falter after coming out of the blocks fast.

Saturday brings a good chance to build on the three points achieved in the Capital when Luncarty, who only avoided relegation by four points last term, visit Olivebank.

The manager said: “I think it is very, very important to get a good start.

“Last year, we did not start as well as we would have liked and it gives you that nervousness.

“You are maybe three or four games in and drawing a game and it becomes rushed and forced.

“We lost to Broxburn in the second game of the season and we just want to get a run going and take every game as it comes.

“The start is very, very important.

“We can build on that and the last thing you want is having to worry or look at other scores.

“You want to make sure your focus is you and, if you win, everything else is a bonus.”

Burns has been busy over the summer refreshing his squad after they finished as runners-up to Broxburn last season.

Musselburgh Athletic manager Liam BurnsMusselburgh Athletic manager Liam Burns

The West Lothian side gained promotion to the Scottish Lowland Football League, where Musselburgh will be aiming to join them next term.

Callum Donaldson, Nicky Reid and Aiden Walsh were all added last term, while the manager has signed Michael Barfoot and Gabri Auriemma, from neighbours Dunbar United and Haddington Athletic respectively, during the close season.

The manager, who previously worked at Edinburgh City, said: “I think when we came in, we knew what was ahead of us.

“The club was underachieving and we were always going to improve.

“It was very much we were always going to get to where we want to get to and try and go and challenge.

“It was how quickly can we do that? Can we go and do that now, can we do it straight away or do we need a bit of time?

“Last season, if we look to where we are now, we were probably a little bit short.

“In terms of where we finished up, it was absolutely fair.”

READ MORE: Football: East Lothian sides ready for the new season

While Musselburgh were picking up three points in Edinburgh last weekend, Luncarty began their season with a 3-0 defeat at home to Tynecastle on Saturday.

The two sides are due to meet again tomorrow (Wednesday) in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.

Speaking to Courier Sport on Monday, Burns said: “I am going to go and watch them this week.

“We saw them once in pre-season but I like to see them myself if possible.

“I am going to make a road trip to watch them on Wednesday night.

“We struggled last season and beat them only by the odd goal in each game."