Holyport run out of steam in FA Vase exit to the Jersey Bulls

Photo: Holyport FC

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Holyport ran out of steam in the latter stages of Saturday's 2-1 defeat to the Jersey Bulls in the FA Vase, Lorne Bickley sweeping home the visitors' winner with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Port gave a lot to this second round Vase tie and were arguably the better side for long periods after falling behind to Fraser Barlow's close-range header in the first half.

Kickie Dzimba headed the home side level just before the hour mark, and at that stage manager Sam Lock felt his side would go on and win the tie, however, last week's league game with Flackwell Heath had taken a lot out of the home player's legs and that fatigue caught up with them late on.

Having restricted their Combined Counties Premier Division South rivals to a handful of half chances in the second half, Bickley finally found his range. Exchanging passes with James Queree the forward composed himself in the area before firing the ball past Matteo Giacobbe.

It was a tad harsh on the hosts, who'd given as good as they'd got against the Premier Division South promotion chasers, however, Lock admitted afterwards they had nothing left to give in the final minutes after falling behind once more. The Bulls will visit Harefield United in the third round on Saturday, December 2.

Reflecting on the tie after the final whistle, Lock said: “The fact Jersey haven’t had a game in a couple of weeks probably gave them the edge to come and see it through.

“We went 1-0 behind and showed them a lot of respect in the first 15 minutes. I don’t know why, but we let them play and they caused us a few issues.

“They scored from a quick corner and a second ball which is really disappointing for us.

“The second half is how I want my sides to play. Entertaining, getting after teams, creating opportunities to score. We looked like a good side. They didn’t know what to do.

“They were arguing with each other, and we scored a very good goal. We looked like we were going to go on and win the game.

“But on a heavy, horrible pitch, we just ran out of puff with about 15 to go. They scored with about eight minutes to go to make it 2-1 and we just had nothing left in us.

“Tuesday against Flackwell (which finished 1-1 at Summerleaze) was a tricky game, but they (Jersey Bulls) had one chance in the second half.

“Realistically, they had a couple of free kicks in the second half, one chance in the first half, which they scored from and then they scored with eight minutes to go, so yeah, it’s disappointing.”

Holyport remain just a point outside the Premier Division North relegation zone ahead of Saturday's home game with Ardley United.