Lock: ‘the boys did me so proud’
Holyport FC: Sam’s men celebrate impressive victory against
Holyport 2, Ascot United 1
Holyport have made it past the preliminary round and moved into the first round qualifying of the FA Cup for the first time thanks to a thrilling victory over Ascot United on Saturday.
Goals from Maidenhead United academy graduate Kickie Dzimba and current academy player Christian Johnson settled this contest while Brendan Matthew was on target for the Yellamen.
The win will go down as one of Port’s finest achievements, against a side that are currently unbeaten in the Combined Counties Premier Division North and strong contenders for promotion.
“The boys did me so proud,” said manager Sam Lock at full-time. “They battled and they rattled against a top side.
“I’d say Ascot are likely to win the league and it was probably the biggest budget in the division against the smallest today. But, we came out on top and that was because the boys have bought into what we’re trying to do.
“I want Holyport to be a place that boys can come to learn, develop, and grow and I’m hopeful that through a display like today, we can attract a few more players. I have a fantastic group and I can’t see why people wouldn’t want to play for us to be honest.”
It took just 15 minutes for Port to find the back of the net at the Summerleaze with Dzimba nodding in the opener from Harry Hoath’s recycled free kick.
The hosts almost immediately doubled their advantage from the restart as Johnson muscled his way through the Yellamen’s midfield before having his effort blocked for a corner.
Jordan Brown looked to catch out ‘keeper Jamie Ashdown from range in the 23rd
minute before Port stopper Mohammmed Ayoub was called into action down the other end to deny a Sean McCormack strike.
Hoath nearly had another assist to his name when he got down to the byline and fed a pass to Johnson, but the number 18, just a handful of yards out, was stifled well by Ashdown.
Dzimba had the net bulging again in the 32nd minute but his thumping finish at the back post, assisted by Hoath, was ruled out for offside.
After the break, Jamie Tompkins’ men were better but just as they looked likely to score, Port struck again. Picking up the ball from a floated free kick, Johnson lashed a low drive into the bottom right corner of Ashdown’s net with 50 minutes on the clock.
The Yellamen were celebrating after the hour mark, however, when Marcus Mealing sent a ball into the box and Brendan Matthew
had the composure to slot it in past an onrushing Ayoub.
In a disappointing turn of events, Port’s ‘keeper would next see red for an off the ball incident before Lock was also dismissed from the dugout.
Nevertheless, parity was restored shortly after as Harry Grant picked up a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge.
Within the final 10 minutes it was all Ascot as Keaton August fired wide from 25 yards, Mealing struck a free kick into the wall and McCormack headed just over the woodwork.
But for all their pressure, Port soaked it up and ensured their names would not only be in the hat for the next round but also written in the history books.
Holyport will face Binfield on home turf in the next round. The tie is due to played on Saturday, September 3 with £2,250 up for grabs.