A title challenge brings the best out of our players, says Hollands & Blair boss Paul Piggott

HOLLANDS & BLAIR manager Paul Piggott says he feels excited being involved in another two-horse title-race.

The Gillingham based side were an agonising 37 seconds away from being the first side to win a league game at Lydd Town after the home side grabbed a last-gasp equaliser through Ryan Smith.

James McDonald’s 23^rd goal of the season gave Hollands & Blair an early lead, but had to settle for a point in the end.

The Lydders remain two points clear of Blair at the top of the Kent Invicta League table with 48 points from 19 games.

But Piggott’s side eat up their game in hand with a trip to struggling Eltham Palace next Saturday.

“That’s what we want. We don’t teams like you have in Scotland, twenty points ahead before April’s even got here,” said the Blair boss.

“Lydd want to win it. We want to win.

“I’m sure Sutton will have a big say on what’s going on as well.

“It’s good. It’s exciting. That’s what you want it to be. You want to be challenging things. It brings the best out of players.”

When asked how his side will end their three year wait to claim the Kent Invicta League title – after seeing Bly Spartans (now Rochester United) and Phoenix Sports claim the league title previously – Piggott replied: “It won’t be by letting in goals in the 96^th minute!

“Listen, how will it be won? I don’t know! Whoever holds their nerve. Whoever believes in themselves the most. Who believes in their team. Who believes in their own ability. We certainly do. We’ll give everything we’ve got and we’ll see where that takes us.”

Struggling Eltham Palace may have a say who could go on and win the league title.

Palace have struggled all season and are second-from-bottom in the table with two wins and a draw from their 18 league games.

They were the only side to drop points to Crockenhill when they went down to a 3-0 defeat at Wested Meadow on 1 March.

Hollands & Blair visit next Saturday, while Lydd Town visit Oxford Road seven days later.

“That’s what the fixtures throw up for you sometimes,” added Piggott.

“Listen, we’re just going to keep on taking each game because you can’t keep looking too far ahead, especially at this time of the season.

“We’ve got a lot of games coming up. Bank Holiday games, midweek games. We’ve just got to keep training, keep working hard and see where it takes us.”

Visit Hollands & Blair’s website: www.hollandsandblair.co.uk

Eltham Palace  v Hollands & Blair
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 22^nd March 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Oxford Road, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6LW