Hollands & Blair boss Bryan Greenfield: I've got a lot of time and respect for Bearsted

HOLLANDS & BLAIR player-manager Bryan Greenfield says he has got a lot of respect for newly-promoted side Bearsted.

The Bears won the fifth and final Kent Invicta League title when they beat off fierce competition from Sheppey United and Glebe last season and they arrive at Darland Avenue sitting in the bottom four, having won two and lost three of their first five games at this level.

Hollands & Blair meanwhile, are in ninth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having won one and drawn three of their league outings.

“I’m looking forward to a tough game against Bearsted on Saturday,” said Greenfield.

“I’ve played against them for years and they are a club that I’ve got a lot of time for and respect for as they are similar to us in terms of having had to work their way up to the SCEFL the hard way without a budget and someone putting money in to achieve the ground grading.

“They are always a tough team to play against and I think they’ll surprise more than a few teams this season.”

The Scotsman reflected on his side’s start to the new season, only their second at this level after finishing runners-up to promoted champions Greenwich Borough last season under Paul Piggott.

Greenfield said: “I’m happy with our start in terms of having yet to lose a league game but we were very disappointed with picking up only two points over the Bank Holiday weekend, so we need to go and put that right on Saturday against Bearsted, but we are under no illusions how tough that will be.”

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

Hollands & Blair  v  Bearsted
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 3^rd September 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Star Meadow, Darland Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3AN