Hollands & Blair boss Scott Porter has labelled their next game as “must-win” as he looks to build on some impressive recent performances.

Blair were beaten 1-0 at high-flying Erith Town in the Southern Counties East League on Saturday, a game that followed successive 1-1 draws against Snodland and Lydd.

Porter feels his side have now turned a corner, having got over the loss of top striker Dean Grant and two of his backroom team, but doesn’t want standards to slip at home to lowly Stansfeld.

Their weekend visitors are second from bottom in the Premier Division table.

“Stansfeld at home is a massive game ahead of the Christmas period,” Porter said.

“You need to win those games against the teams in and around you and we will take a lot of confidence into Saturday after the last three games.”

Erith edged past Blair with a 72nd-minute goal, scored as the ball was launched forward and Ollie Milton ran onto it before beating keeper Dan Ellis.

Porter said: “We knew all three of those last games would be tough and we did well against Snodland and Lydd and deserved what we got. It was just a mistake on Saturday, a learning thing for our young full-backs. We gave it our best shot at the end and put them under pressure but it is just fine margins.

“They are up the top and move on and we have to pick ourselves back up, but we have definitely turned a corner.

“It was difficult with Dean Grant going and a couple of staff, but Richard Atkins has definitely benefited us since coming in and I am not looking to bring a new coach in now. We will deal with it ourselves.

“We are just getting back to basics, the way I want to do things, with the people I have got around us, the players we have got. We are looking to get at teams with the formation we play.

“We are not going to set up defensively against the top teams, we will get at them and play with no fear.

“We want to be a hard team to beat and we want to not concede and be full of energy, but we want to be dangerous on the counter. We have created chances in the last three games against the top teams and we will let the reins off. We will keep it simple, not over-complicate things and go and enjoy it.

“There were positives from the Erith game. I was proud of the boys, we showed a lot of fight and I felt for them at the end because they worked so hard to get something out of the game. I don’t mind that, I take it on the chin, everyone gave 110%.

“After Saturday I said to the players, Stansfeld at home is now a must-win game, especially going into the Christmas break where we don’t play again until Lordswood [on December 30].”

Blair have been drawn at home to Division 1 side Croydon in the Kent Senior Trophy Quarter-Final on January 13.

Porter said: “It’s always good to get a home draw, and with a team below.

“The draw has been friendly to us, but the pressure is on. It’s a free hit for them, they are no mugs, there’s some good players in their team and it will be another tough one.”