Match Preview: Phoenix vs Hollands & Blair
- Phoenix Sports Media
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
Hollands & Blair are Phoenix's first opponents of 2026.
Phoenix Sports begin 2026 on home soil on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Hollands & Blair to the Christopher Russell Stadium, aiming to turn recent momentum into a positive start to the new year.
Phoenix return to DA7 on the back of an encouraging run of form, remaining unbeaten in five matches including thumping 4-0 wins over Hythe Town and Larkfield & New Hythe.
However, their last two outings have both ended 1–1 and Jake Goodman’s side will be keen to convert draws into wins with 14 league games remaining for Phoenix who sit four points off the play-offs.
Before those stalemates, Phoenix enjoyed an impressive December where they rediscovered their cutting edge. Consecutive 4-0 league victories sandwiched a 3-2 win over Stansfeld to book a place in the quarter-finals of the SCEFL Challenge Cup.
Phoenix received the disappointing news this week that young midfielder Harry Smart has had a setback in his recovery and has been ruled out for the rest of the season following the serious knee injury he suffered at Fisher.
Meanwhile Tyrese Agbontaen left the club to join Guilford City following a seven day approach this week.
Saturday’s visitors Hollands & Blair arrive in DA7 top of the form table. They picked up a 1-0 win away at Hythe Town last Saturday, a result that marked their sixth consecutive league victory, with clean sheets recorded in five of those matches that include wins over Fisher and Tunbridge Wells.
With both teams believing a play-off push is possible in 2026, Saturday’s encounter promises to be an intriguing battle at the Christopher Russell Stadium.
The Christopher Russell Stadium is easily accessible on public transport:
By train: Barnehurst Station is just a 10-minute walk from the ground—this line runs regularly through Travelcard Zone 5
By bus: The 492 stops directly outside the ground
From central London: A direct Southeastern train from Charing Cross to Barnehurst takes around 40 minutes
There is parking in the school opposite the ground parking in the side streets that surround the ground. With a larger than usual attendance expected we're expecting it to be busier than usual.
Tickets for the match are available online here via the Fanbase app or by cash and card on the gate.
Tickets are priced at:
Adults - £10
Over 65s - £5
U16s - FREE
Season tickets are valid for this game and you can read the online matchday below:
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