The league title will not be won or lost at Lydd tomorrow, says Hollands & Blair boss Paul Piggott

LYDD TOWN manager Dave Smith says he wants to guide the club towards the Kent Invicta League title at the end of the season.

The Lydders can move five points clear of Hollands & Blair should they win the top-of-the-table clash at The Lindsey Field tomorrow.

Smith’s side took full advantage of Blair’s cup commitments last weekend, as Paul Birt’s first half penalty proved decisive in their 1-0 win away to Orpington.

“Last week was a very good win against a good Orpington side,” said Smith.

“One-nil sounds tight but we were comfortable as our defence – as it has been all season – were excellent.”

Smith is looking forward to locking horns with Hollands & Blair for the fourth time this season.

Lydd won the league game at Star Meadow 2-1 in the second game of the season, before Blair extracted revenge with a 4-1 extra time win in the Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Spire Alexandra Hospital.

Lydd then lost both legs in the Pain & Glory Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy, losing 3-2 at home, then 4-1 away.

“This week is a big game,” said Smith.

“We have both been the two best sides in the league this season and the winners on Saturday will become the league leaders but with so many games to come in a short period I am sure there will still be some twists and turns in the title race as we head towards May.

“Blair are the bench mark side. They have been one of the top sides in Kent for a few seasons now and people forget back in early January 2013 we were fourteenth in the league.

“We are without doubt progressing the right way but still have a long way to go to get us where I want this club to be and that is in the Southern Counties East Football League with a ground that we are all proud off.”

Hollands & Blair boss Paul Piggott meanwhile said he was disappointed in the manner of their Pain & Glory Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy exit at home to Sutton Athletic last weekend.

Blair were 1-0 up from the first leg, but found themselves in the box seat, before James Collins won the second leg 6-3 after extra time.

“We went out of the cup last week after a crazy second half, 45 minutes,” said Piggott.

“We’re more than disappointed at our performance over the two legs but at 3-0 up in the tie we shouldn’t be going out.

“But we didn’t match the determination of our opponents and lost deservedly, but having said that the lads have been brilliant this season so like anyone else we’re due an off day.”

The Gillingham-based outfit were knocked out of the Kent Senior Trophy Sponsored by Spire Alexandra Hospital by Ashford United the previous weekend and Piggott wants his side to bounce back tomorrow.

“We are looking forward to our next game down at Lydd because they’ve chucked up some good ones over the four times we’ve played them this season already and I don’t think there’s been much in it,” said Piggott.

“Nothing’s as far as the league will be won or lost after the game but it’s one we need a response from after last week.

“We travel with a fully fit squad so I’ve sixteen raring to go, players who all want a start.”

Visit Lydd Town’s website: www.lyddtownfc.co.uk

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

Lydd Town  v  Hollands & Blair
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 15^th March 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Lindsey Field, Dengemarsh Road, Lydd, Kent TN29 9JH