It'll be a tough start for the boys but one we are looking forward to, says Hollands & Blair boss Bryan Greenfield

HOLLANDS & BLAIR manager Bryan Greenfield takes charge of the Gillingham-based club for the first time when his side play Phoenix Sports in their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The game is taking place on the 3G pitch at Meridian Sports & Social Club in Charlton.

Blair finished runners-up to promoted champions Greenwich Borough on their Southern Counties East Football League debut and Scottish left-back Greenfield takes over from successful boss Paul Piggott.

“It’s the first of five tough games for us this pre-season, which include four or five against Ryman South or North teams and one against a good Gravesham Borough team,” said Greenfield.

“I’m looking forward to facing a strong Phoenix side who’ll be technically a good footballing side under Steve O’Boyle, so it’ll be a tough start for the boys but one we are looking forward to.”

Greenfield says he is delighted with his squad’s fitness going into their game against a Phoenix Sports side that finished in fourteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One North last season.

He said: “We’ll have three sessions before Saturday’s first friendly. The boys are looking fit, many keep themselves fit during the summer months so their general fitness isn’t a concern, more their match fitness, which is going to be tested on Saturday, but that’s why you play these good teams.

“Like every other team at this stage of the season we have a few away on holiday and a couple of players having trials with other clubs, so I’ll be taking a mixture of first, reserves and a couple of trialists along with me and I’m sure Steve (the Phoenix manager) will be doing the same.”

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

Phoenix Sports  v  Hollands & Blair
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 9^th July 2016
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Meridian Sports & Social Club, Charlton Park Lane, Charlton, London SE7 8QS