I think it’s going to be a real battle to the end of the season to see who stays in the league, says Deal Town boss Derek Hares

HOLLANDS & BLAIR manager Bryan Greenfield says his side are capable of finishing in the top four this season.

The Gillingham based outfit beat their local rivals Rochester United 2-1 last weekend courtesy of goals from Gary Lockyer and substitute George Blake.

“We had a scrappy 2-1 win in our last game where both the wind and pitch didn’t allow for much football to be played,” admitted Scottish born Greenfield.

“We should have scored more goals on the day, after hitting the woodwork a couple of times and having chances cleared off the line, but against your rivals’ you’ll take the three points any way you can.”

Hollands & Blair are in sixth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with 51 points and have 12 games left to play, starting with tomorrow’s home game against Deal Town.

Greenfield said: “We’re looking to make it three wins from three after our recent dip in form and the boys know that if they can put together a run like they did earlier in the season and cut out some of the decisions we’ve been making defensively, then we are more than capable of finishing in the top four.

“We know tomorrow won’t be easy given that Deal are coming into the game on decent form with three wins from their last six.

“We’ve just got to get our heads down and concentrate on ourselves and see where we end up from here.

“We are still punching above our weight in this league in terms of our league position but we still want to challenge ourselves as a squad to finish as high as possible.”

Deal Town go into the game in high spirits after thrashing Erith & Belvedere 6-0 in John Wilfort’s last game in charge of the Deres last weekend.

“Tomorrow is another important game for us, although we have taken 10 points from a possible 12 over the last few weeks, I believe we still need to win a few more games to be safe from relegation,” said Deal Town boss Derek Hares.

“We have a run of three tough away games but we have been playing well and need to continue with our good form.

“We have had a number of injuries over the last few weeks but we are back to full strength, which of course always helps.

“We now have 11 games left to play and the aim is to try and gain as many points as possible.  I think it’s going to be a real battle to the end of the season to see who stays in the league.”

Deal Town go into the game sitting in thirteenth-place in the table with 29 points, but they are 10 points clear of the relegation zone, currently occupied by Beckenham Town and Fisher.

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

Visit Deal Town’s website: www.dealtownfc.co.uk

Hollands & Blair  v  Deal Town
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 4^th March 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Star Meadow, Darland Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 3AN