Kentish Football 
Everyone wants to play in a final, says Erith & Belvedere midfielder Paul Springett
The 31-year-old will slot into the middle of the park to face the Kent Invicta League side for a place in the Umbro Kent Senior Trophy up for grabs.
Erith & Belvedere travel to Gillingham sitting in fourth-place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table, with 39 points from 21 games.
Hollands & Blair, meanwhile, play in the league below and lie in fourth-place in the Kent Invicta League with 12 wins from 22 league games and are bidding to reach the Kent Senior Trophy Final for the very first time.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a banana skin, I’d like to say they’re a very good side, a very organised side,” said Springett.
“Having played against them in the past, they are very solid over the pitch and they can play a bit of football.
“Favourites? Probably. On paper you would say we’re favourites as we play in the league higher, yes. But we’re certainly not treating it that way. I think it will be a good game of football.”
When asked what manager Micky Collins has told them about the game against a physical outfit, Springett said: “Just to stay focused. Go down there with the correct attitude. Let’s not be complacent but treat them with the respect that they deserve.
“But we have to remember with Hollands & Blair, the only reason they’ve not got promoted in previous years’ is their ground. If you look at the teams that have come up in Cray Valley and Canterbury, they’re performing very well. Would Hollands & Blair have done? Seeing they’ve won the Kent County League for the last two years?
“You have to look at that and you have to realise they’re a strong side.”
Success has avoided Erith & Belvedere in recent years. They reached the final of this competition in 2009, but they lost 3-2 to VCD Athletic, in a final played on home soil, at Park View Road.
Springett said: “Everyone wants to play in a final. I personally won this final with Thamesmead back in, I think it was 2001. It’s a great experience, it’s a good day out and the advantage of getting to the final is we’re playing on our own ground so it will be great for the club and all the players for Micky (Collins) and the chairman to finally bring something home.
“But it’s a step we’re not thinking about at the moment. We need to get the semi-final out of the way first and then we can start thinking about a Cup final.”
If they do win tomorrow, then Springett is looking to take advantage of the sublime pitch at Park View Road.
“It’s a bit of a strange one,” said Springett. “Every player likes to play at a nice ground and what you do get when you play at home it’s a lovely surface to play on. It’s local to us so the support from the fans will be there.
“You could argue it would be nice to play elsewhere but I think anywhere you play in a Cup Final is a bonus because it is what it is – a Cup Final. Everyone wants to be in it.
Springett, commonly known as “Geordie,” admits he is not getting any younger.
“I’m 31 – not getting any younger. I play central midfield. When I used to be attacking forward and scoring a few goals, I’m now sitting in front of the back four and trying to protect the team leaking goals.
“Age is definitely creeping in which is why opportunities like this to play at a big club like Erith & Belvedere and playing in a semi-final you really have to take them and make sure you get to the final when you get a chance to win silverware as there’s not many years’ left.
“I think it will be won surely on discipline. We’ve got plenty of quality in our side and we hope that quality comes through in the end. Like with any semi-final, it’s the best team on the day that wins.”
Hollands & Blair manager, Paul Piggott, meanwhile, says he is looking forward to the club’s biggest game of the season.
“We as a club are looking forward to the game. It’s a big occasion for the people involved with Hollands & Blair,” said the former Lordswood manager.
“It’s a big ask for my players as Erith & Belvedere are a good Kent League club with a good team.
“Their league position tells you that they are doing well this season and will be confident going into tomorrow’s game but we will give most teams a game on our ground and I know the players will be giving their all for me and the club.”
Piggott knows all about the attacking threat that Collins’ side will bring tomorrow.
He added: “With Constable and Wood up front they have experience and goals in their side but we have a few players in our side who I think should be playing at that level as well so I’m looking forward to the game.”
Visit Hollands & Blair website: www.hollandsandblair.teamexpert.co.uk
Hollands & Blair v Erith & Belvedere
Umbro Kent Senior Trophy Semi-Final
Saturday 3rd March 2012
Kick Off 2:00pm
At Star Meadow, Darland Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3AN
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd