Visitors Maintain Perfect Start - Sheppey United vs. Hollands And Blair

Storm clouds above Holm Park

After a brief break for The Challenge Cup Final, it was back to football on Bank Holiday Monday. After evaluating the choice of leagues and navigating the mixture of kick off times, I opted for The Kent Invicta League match between Sheppey United and Hollands And Blair. This was Sheppey United's first season in The Kent Invicta League and after wins in their first two games, they had to face the top two from last season. They lost three nil to runners up Lydd Town on Saturday and were hoping for a better result against last seasons run away champions Hollands and Blair. The visitors had won the league by ten points but were denied promotion. They had made a good start to the current season, winning all three games.

Moments before kick off

Sheppey have a couple of half chances in the opening minutes but they fail to really test the goal keeper. Hollands and Blair then begin to get on top of the game. Their first one on one chance is put well wide. Shortly afterwards the ball breaks at the edge of the Sheppey United box and the home keeper makes a good save to put the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner a header is flashed just wide of the post. Another Hollands ball in to the box finds the forward and it takes a fantastic block from the home defence to prevent a clear chance. Sheppey win a couple of free kicks in decent areas but they fail to fully utilise the opportunities. Hollands again create a one on one chances and the Sheppey keeper makes another good save. Sheppey then have a long range effort which is straight at the keeper. Hollands come closer at the other end as they hit the post following another good chance.

A lofted ball in to the Hollands and Blair box

As the rain continues to pour down at the start of the second half, Sheppey almost gift the visitors the lead. A long ball in to the box catches the keeper out but Hollands players cannot take advantage and the chance is headed over. Sheppey's first chance is a vicious in swinging corner which is just cleared. The Hollands forward is then able to round the keeper but he goes too wide and it looks like the chance is gone. However he keeps on going and is fouled which results in a penalty. The penalty is smashed home and the visitors go in to the lead. They soon double the lead as a corner is not fully cleared and the ball is lashed home from the edge of the area. The away side then go on the search for the third goal. They get in a couple of times but fail to take advantage. Sheppey are restricted to half chances. A good free kick in to the box which eludes everyone sums up their afternoon. Hollands have yet another chance in the finals stages but the keeper just about gets to it and they have to settle for two nil.  

The Hollands And Blair players celebrate in front of the massed media

The closest station to the ground is Queenborough. There are no direct trains to Queenborough from London and you have to change at Sittingbourne. Trains to Sittingbourne depart from either Victoria or St Pancras with the trains from the later being the quick service. The journey takes just over an hour. I got to the isle a lot later than I intended and didn't get to explore Queenborough as much as I wanted. The walk from the station to Holm Park takes around twenty five minutes. Half way between the station and the ground and is The Aviator which had a few Kent ales. The clubhouse at the ground has Sky and BT Sports for the early kick offs. The walls of the clubhouse are covered in old programmes and match posters from the old club's time in The Southern League.

Another brilliant programme from a Kent Invicta club

View across the pitch towards the clubhouse