Kentish Football 
Crockenhill caught us on a good day, says Hollands & Blair boss Paul Piggott
The Gillingham-based side humiliated Crockenhill 15-0 at Wested Meadow on Saturday, before Fleet Leisure were beaten 2-0 on Monday afternoon.
Blair had to wait 31 minutes to open the scoring against Crockenhill when Tom Mitchelson scored. Rob Denness scored four, Nicky Smith, Jason Doe and Cliff Eldridge each scored hat-tricks and Liam Stone scored once as the club recorded the highest score in the league’s history.
“To be honest, I’ve never seen it either,” Piggott reflected on such a one-sided whipping.
“It was a combination of two things really. They caught us on a good day. We were hungry. We just been defeated so we need to put that right and unfortunately they had one of their off days. I think they struggled for a side and struggled for numbers. It was a combination of the two really but I don’t want to take anything away from the boys and what they did because it was some feat.”
A week earlier, Blair suffered their first league defeat of the season when they went down to a 2-1 home defeat to a title rival in the shape of Lydd Town.
“It was on the back of a defeat so we spoke about it before hand that we had to go out and put that eight. The boys’ attitude and their hunger to put it right was second to none really.”
When asked who walked off with the match ball, Piggott replied: “I don’t think either club could afford match balls for that day! The one good thing that did come out of it apart from the goal difference was some individuals got their goal tally’s up, which in turn moves their confidence up a little bit.”
Hollands & Blair had to settle for a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Fleet Leisure in their next game, courtesy of two more goals from Smith.
“That was a tough game,” admitted Piggott.
“A lot of our boys unfortunately play Sunday football and had a game on the Sunday, so I was looking at that game thinking we wouldn’t be prepared as we should be.
Piggott explained why he gives his players his blessing to turn out for their Sunday League clubs.
He said: “I can’t stop them and I wouldn’t stop them at this level of football because that’s the level they’re at. They are able to play their Sunday football. The lads just enjoy playing football and that’s why they do it.
“It’s easy to get lackadaisical after a good win and the boys have done their bit and to go into Monday into a tough game.
“Fleet were a good side. I was impressed with them. They worked hard for their team mates and their manager and they did make us work hard for our result so it was pleasing.”
Attention now turns to the home game against perennial strugglers Meridian VP on Saturday.
The Charlton-based outfit arrive in Gillingham sitting in eighth-place in the fifteen-club division, with a 50% record from their opening four games.
“It’s that time of the season, it’s the unknown a little bit. You never know who they’ve managed to might get in in the last week or so,” said Piggott.
“Players’ filter down the pyramid when they’re not getting the games where they thought they’d get. I’m sure all teams across the board can pick up players. You don’t know who Meridian can pick up at this stage of the season.”
Hollands & Blair top the table after picking up nine points from four games and Piggott revealed the club’s that he thinks will be challenging his side for the title.
He said: “As you know we set our standards high. We’re not being disrespectful to anyone, that’s the standards we set ourselves.
“We want to be in and around the top of the table come the end of the season. That doesn’t come free. Our players’ work hard for that and as a club we work hard for that.
“When we are at the top, although it is still early days, we can’t do more than what we’re doing.
“We look to pick up three points in most games before the game. If you want to win titles you have to aim to win every game. Sometimes a situation throws up that you have to take a draw and what have you.
“We go out to win our games of football.”
Piggott added: “I think Lydd will be strong and will be there. Bridon Ropes always churn out a good side every year and they will always give you a tough battle. I haven’t seen Bearsted yet or Bridon yet. I’m sure they will be up there competing and the tougher sides to beat.
“There’s one or two new sides in the league this year. Fleet were a good side on Saturday. I was impressed with them, they worked so hard.
“Until you play everyone it’s hard to tell. I’m sure the same old faces, Lydd, Bridon Ropes and Bearsted’s will be there or there abouts.”
Visit Hollands & Blair’s website: www.hollandsandblair.co.uk
Hollands & Blair v Meridian VP
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 31st August 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Star Meadow Sports Club, Darland Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3AN
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd