Our two cup semi-finals are our priority now, says Sutton Athletic boss James Collins

SUTTON ATHLETIC manager James Collins says his side will have to settle for third-place in the Kent Invicta League this season.

The Hextable based club are ten points adrift of league leaders Hollands & Blair, who arrive at Lower Road tomorrow.

Sutton Athletic collected their 12^th league win in 19 league games when they thrashed local rivals Crockenhill 9-0 at Wested Meadow last weekend.

The Crocks have collected just one win in 21 league games and have now conceded 126 league goals.

“We had a good result against Crockenhill last weekend,” said Collins.

“In all fairness the result flattered us a little.  Our keeper made a good save at 0-0 and until we scored it was a pretty even game.

“In fairness to them we scored five in the last ten minutes when they started to tire but credit to us, we were ruthless.

“It was pleasing because there have been a number of games this season where we have had teams on the ropes but not really punished them.

“Unfortunately for Crockenhill we managed to do that on Saturday.  I think they have definitely improved since we played them earlier in the season, so it was pleasing to bounce back in style after a disappointing defeat to Orpington last time out.”

Sutton Athletic welcome Hollands & Blair to Lower Road tomorrow and Paul Piggott’s side are one point clear of Lydd Town at the summit with nine league games left to play.

“We have managed to set ourselves up nicely for the final stretch of the season,” said Collins.

“We have signed five players this week as we have so many fixtures to fit in.  A few of them will be in the squad tomorrow, which will be a really tough test.

“We have had three really competitive games against Hollands & Blair and they will obviously be looking to get revenge after our recent cup game, so we know they will be fired up tomorrow.

Hollands & Blair won the league game between the two sides 2-1 on the opening day of the season and Paul Piggott’s side came away from Lower Road with a slender 1-0 win in the first leg of the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy Quarter-Final.

However, Sutton Athletic stunned Blair with an impressive 6-3 win at Star Meadow, to progress 6-4 on aggregate.

Looking forward to the fourth encounter between both clubs, the Sutton Athletic boss said: “We can go into the game with no pressure.  Hollands & Blair and Lydd are fighting it out for the league and we are looking to consolidate third.

“We have two cup semi-finals, which are realistically our priority now, so we can go out and play without pressure whereas Hollands & Blair will be looking to keep the league in their own hands, so can’t really afford to drop points with Lydd breathing down their necks and not looking like dropping points so it bodes for an exciting game.”

Visit Sutton Athletic’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/suttonathletic

Sutton Athletic v Hollands & Blair

Kent Invicta League

Saturday 29^th March 2014

Kick Off 3:00pm

at The Pavillion, Lower Road Sports Ground, Lower Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7RZ