Hollands & Blair claim surprise win over Erith Town in the Kent Senior Trophy and take on Tunbridge Wells this Saturday
05:00, 03 December 2021
updated: 09:23, 03 December 2021
Manager Scott Porter has seen what his Hollands & Blair side are capable of.
They delivered a top performance to see off Erith Town in the Kent Senior Trophy last weekend.
Saturday’s 2-0 victory over their high-flying Southern Counties East Premier Division rivals came with goals from George Benner and Ricky Freeman.
It was a performance that has now set the minimum standard that new boss Porter expects. It was his first full game in charge.
“It was a very pleasing win,” said Porter. “The previous week was disappointing that we couldn’t continue and finish the game against Punjab United [abandoned because of an injury] but the boys trained really hard on the Tuesday with the fitness and it paid off.
“The weather was horrendous and we had to win ugly, be a hard team to break down and that is what I want the boys to buy into, and to be fair they did it in every way.
“From the boys up top to the keeper, everyone battled well and the wind was howling, the pitch was not good, but we limited them to chances and scored at the right times.
“We were in the stands at Deal when we beat a team who were fourth and then we beat Erith who are fifth, they are the levels we need to be at.
“There was a good buzz around on Saturday. I said to the boys after, that is the standard and no less than that, with a lot more hopefully.
“In the league we want to finish as high as we can. We want to instil that never-say-die attitude into the boys. That is what we bring to the table and it started off well on Saturday.”
Energetic forward Dean James started against Erith. He was with Porter on loan at Hawkinge Town earlier this season after moving from Whitstable.
Blair were beaten 2-1 by Rochester United in the Challenge Cup after extra-time on Wednesday.
Porter has made additions and some have left since taking over as he works out what he's got and what he needs.
He said: “My phone hasn’t stopped but I can only bring in what I can on with the resources we have and I have to respect the lads already here.
“I have to give them a chance to show what they can do. Two or three have gone, but I am really pleased with who I have kept and added a few more to add a lot more quality.”
Blair are away in the league this Saturday at Tunbridge Wells.
Porter said: “It is a big test, a big crowd and we have to keep maintaining the levels that I want them to be at.”