Hollands & Blair have started like a steam train, says Erith & Belvedere boss Matt Longhurst

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Matt Longhurst admits it’s been a bit of a roller coaster start to the season for his side.

 

The Deres welcome newly-promoted league leaders Hollands & Blair tomorrow sitting in the top seven in the Southern Counties East Football League table with  12 points from eight games, five points adrift of Blair.

They won the Erith derby, beating Erith Town 2-1 at Park View Road on Tuesday night and Longhurst wants his side to inflict Blair’s second league defeat of the season tomorrow.

Longhurst said: “It's been a bit of a roller coaster start to the season with some excellent performances and some not so excellent performances, but in general we are pleased with how we’re progressing.

“We have a very young team baring one or two and with young players at times comes inconsistency and we’re hoping that with games that will slowly change.

“What you do get with the younger lads is energy, desire and we have some quality here too.

“We started Tuesday's game with two players over 24 which is fantastic along with three teenagers and eight players under 23.

“Tuesday also saw the fifth player under my management to make 50 appearances which shows a continuity and there will be several more during the season which is good.

“Having said all that we need to start being consistent and it's something we as a group have spoken about so that's the next step for us as a team.”

Longhurst says tomorrow’s game against Paul Piggott’s long-serving side is “a really tough test.”

He added: “They have started like a steam train and have some excellent players in their team.  They are a big powerful team and have been together a long time and I'm not surprised they have done well this year so far and I believe they will be there or there about at the end of the season.

“We trained on Thursday and have spoken about their strengths and weaknesses and go into the game trying to win it.

“We’re at home and it's important to carry on from Tuesday night but it certainly will be a difficult game but one we look forward to.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website:  www.erithbelvederefc.co.uk

Erith & Belvedere  v  Hollands & Blair
Southern Counties East Football League
Saturday 19^th September 2015
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY