Kickie’s debut the silver lining from Velocity Trophy exit

Mark Bartley had few complaints after Marlow were dumped out of the Velocity Trophy by Chertsey Town on Tuesday night, but the competitive debut of Kickie Dzimba was one silver lining from a disappointing night.

Having not played over the weekend the Blues looked a little ring-rusty and lacked their usual rhythm as Chertsey claimed a deserved 2-1 win with first half goals from Samuel Murphy and Tony Halsey, with Devontae Romeo replying for the Blues.

However, in a game where fringe players were given a chance to impress, Dzimba currently dual registered with Holyport FC - seized his opportunity.

Coming on in the 76th minute for former Flackwell Heath winger Khalid Simmo on Tuesday night, Dzimba played well enough to put himself in contention for the Blues league clash at South Park on Saturday.

“When you look at the players, he will be maybe one of the five or six that come off happy with how they’ve done on the day,” said Bartley. “He was assured in possession and his quality of forward play was very good. At 18-years-old, coming into the game like that, and playing against the side that are arguably the most in-form in the league bar Bracknell, he hasn’t looked out of place at all.

“From my perspective, as his manager, that’s extremely pleasing. If you were a player that has been in the squad for the last few weeks, you are probably looking over your shoulder because Kickie has done exactly what we wanted him to do.

“Kickie had his opportunity yesterday and is very much in contention for the squad on Saturday because he has done so well.”

Dzimba is a product of Maidenhead United’s college program.

“I guess he really is a culmination of local football,” said the Blues boss.

“He’s at Maidenhead during the day, he’s training with us in the evenings, and he’s been on a dual reg with Holyport. I think that shows you what can happen when you get local clubs who work together.

“There’s always a lot to talk about with local rivalries but I get on really well with Locky (Sam Lock) at Holyport and also Sweets (Derek Sweetman). But I speak to Locky all the time about players and stuff like that. He has been keeping me updated in terms of Kickie’s progress.”