Lock says Port will raise their game
Holyport FC: Holyport 'big underdogs' for FA Vase tie with Peacehaven
Holyport will be looking to shake last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Wokingham & Emmbrook out of their system as soon as possible as they look ahead to this weekend's FA Vase third round clash at home to Peacehaven & Telscombe.
Port made club history in the last round of the competition, reaching the third round for the first time ever while simultaneously registering their biggest ever Vase win as they hammered Montpelier Villa 7-0.
Sam Lock's side were irrepressible that evening, where Fabien Etienne (two), Harry Hoath, Sam Jones Alexander Dimitrijevic, Christian Johnson and Harry Williams were all on target, but Lock isn't expecting such an easy ride from Peacehaven on Saturday.
Peacehaven play their football at step five like Holyport and are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions. They currently sit seventh in the Southern Combination Premier Division, but Lock rates them as one of the best sides in their league.
They made it through to the third round for the 10th time in their history after beating Bedfont FC 3-1 at The Sports Park on November 12.
“We seem to have saved our big performances for the cups this season,” said Lock.
“As I said to the boys after the Wokingham game, I know they won't perform like that on Saturday against Peacehaven.
“They just won't because they get up for the big games. It's something for us to work on, but we're really looking forward to Saturday.
“Some of the coaching staff have been out to watch them. They have a big budget and are a close-knit group.
“I actually think they'll win their league at step five. They
beat the top of the league side away from home on Saturday and have won 11 in a row, so you'd say we're big underdogs, but every time we've been underdogs this season, we've competed and more.
“It's a challenge the boys will get up for and I'm sure they will.
“We're at home and we tend to go and attack teams at home. I think they'll be a similar side to Binfield in the way they play and set up, but the more I build the opposition up the higher I think our performance will be, if that makes sense. We've got the Christmas do afterwards and I know the boys will enjoy their evening a lot more after a win.”
Holyport were well beaten by the Sumas on Saturday, losing 2-0 with former Marlow striker Allen
Bossman firing the hosts in front after only two minutes before Samuel Mead finished the job off in the second half.
It leaves Port second from bottom in the table with only two wins from their 13 matches so far.
“I need to take some accountability for it because of the way I've been setting the team up away from home,” said Lock.
“We've been excellent at home but poor away. I don't feel I've been doing the right things in terms of our game plan.”
Saturday's FA Vase clash will kick off at 3pm, after Maidenhead United's home game with Dorking Wanderers at 12.30pm has finished, and the former Magpies assistant is urging supporters to cheer on his side at Summerleaze.