Shea Campbell insists Armagh City are taking everything in their stride amid the high-pressure stakes of this season’s Premier Intermediate League title race.
Saturday’s 1-0 win over Portstewart saw the Eagles stretch four points clear at the top.
Conor Mullen got the goal at Seahaven, Armagh emerging on top following a seaside battle played in testing conditions.
Read more: FC Mindwell, the mental health football club impressing on and off the pitch
With Bangor losing to Dollingstown, and fellow title rivals Limavady United and Newington drawing with each other, it turned into a positive weekend for Armagh.
But as expectation levels start to simmer around Holm Park, Campbell insists there is no title talk within his changing room.
“League titles aren’t even being talked about. We just enjoy it. We have a bunch of lads who just enjoy playing for Armagh City,” he told Match on Tuesday.
“There is no big budget here, I do it voluntarily myself and it is just a hard-working club. We just want to do as well as we can and see where it takes us.
“We reached the final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup and we have the Intermediate Cup quarter-finals coming up. And if we get top three or four in the league, that would be a great season.
“We have a great bunch of lads here who believe in themselves. They are good craic and give their all for Armagh. We are all in this together.”
Campbell added: “Listen, it is a dream to be sitting top heading into March. It is a dream for everyone about the club.
“I don’t think we have any expectations of winning league titles at the minute. We are just doing our best.
“There is no pressure on us. When we came in we just wanted to stabilise the club, and it seems to be going better than we thought.
“We are maybe ahead of schedule, because when we came in we talked about a five-year plan.
“We have fantastic coaches in Dermy McCaffrey and Alex Clifford, and also Stuart Addis (circled) our goalkeeping coach. The training is fantastic and no stone is left unturned.
“We have a good bunch here and we don’t have anyone here for the wrong reasons. There is no pressure. If I don’t win the league title then it isn’t the end of the world.
“Some other clubs may be feeling the pressure to deliver a league title, but not here at Armagh.”
Saturday’s game was decided by Mullen’s second-half goal for the visitors.
And while it wasn’t a day for fluid, attractive football, Campbell admits results are all that matter as they reach the business end of the season.
“When you go to places like Limavady, Tobermore or Portstewart, you know you are in for a tough test. And many times football goes out the window,” he said.
“We tried playing football on Saturday but it was a right battle. And to be fair Portstewart are a good side who have good management and people who know the game.
“And they are difficult to beat and in a false position. You have to be pleased with a 1-0 win. It keeps us in the hunt to be in the top three anyway. That’s the way I look at it.
“We want to try and finish as high up the table as we can. We can just take it one game at a time and if we get top four it will be a great season for us.”
Read more: Crumlin United boss Ciaran Caldwell buoyed by breakthrough kids
Read more: Dundonald have 'fighting chance' of survival insists Ryan Harvey
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
