The Opposing View - Hollands & Blair v Erith & Belvedere, SCEFL Premier, Monday 02nd January 2023
with Richard Day, Hollands & Blair Website Administrator

Nik: Summary of Hollands & Blair's season so far?

Richard: To summarise Hollands & Blair’s performance in the first-half of the season, I would say it’s been somewhat disappointing, but there have been certain circumstances beyond our control, the major one being that we’ve been ground sharing at Lordswood FC.
This of course has been a disruption for all concerned, both on and off the pitch, while a 3G pitch is being laid at Star Meadow.
In fact, after our game against yourselves, it looks as if we have just one more game to play at Martyn Grove, which is when Rusthall visit this coming weekend (Saturday January 7) – we then face a run of eight away games on the trot, in varying competitions, before we hopefully host Deal Town back at the ’Gas on February 18.

On the pitch no fewer than 35 players have been used, including five different goalkeepers, so boss Scott Porter has found it difficult to keep a settled side, although things have improved on that front in recent weeks. Some experienced players have come and gone and our bench will often see a number of youngsters, who have been blooded at various times and have certainly not let anyone down.

While we have recorded good some good league wins, 7-1 v K Sports and 4-1 v Punjab United, both at home, we have also suffered horrendous defeats, 5-0 at home to Sutton Athletic and 6-0 at Phoenix Sports.
However we have reached the Quarter Finals of the Kent Senior Trophy, a competition that we reached the Final of last season, where we travel to Punjab and the Third Round of the SCEFL Challenge Cup in which we visit Welling Town.

Nik: How did your previous game go?

Richard: Last time out (Tuesday December 27) saw us win the tenants v landlords match 2-0 in what was an away game for Blair, but in familiar surroundings. Ben Brown netted his seventh goal of the season with just a minute on the clock and Fjord Rogers added the second after the break.

Nik: What do you know already of Erith & Belvedere?

Richard: Obviously Erith & Belvedere are having a stellar season, as I write this they comfortably sit 21 points clear at the top of the SCEFL Premier Division table, having lost just once, a 5-1 home reverse to Tunbridge Wells back in October. The departure of boss Tony Beckingham has seemingly had little effect on the squad, who currently have veteran striker Andy Constable in interim charge.

The Deres obviously have a great history and having been a bit of a groundhopper in my early years, I remember visiting their former home a few times back in the Eighties, I think against Chatham Town, Dorchester Town and an FA Cup tie against Kingsbury Town.

Nik: What are your thoughts on the upcoming match between the two sides?

Richard: It looks like a difficult game on paper for Blair, but it obviously comes down to which side performs best over the 90-odd minutes on Monday, but looking back, we have a pretty good record against Erith & Belvedere having won six, drawn one and lost two of the previous nine league encounters, enjoying 6-0 and 7-1 home wins, both our losses coming at Park View Road.

Nik: Hopes for the rest of Hollands and Blair's season?

Richard: Looking at the rest of the season, I would say a top eight finish would probably be considered a good result, as well as further progression in the two cup competitions we remain in.

Nik: Thanks for your time, Richard