Sam Lock: 'I've felt the evolution and these boys have come of age'

Tuesday’s match-winner Kickie Dzimba (right). Photo: Andrew Batt

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Holyport are evolving into a really competitive football club in the Combined Counties Premier Division North and their last three away wins serve to highlight that, says boss Sam Lock.

Port are currently one of the form teams in the division, having won five of their last seven matches and three in a row away from home.

With their Summerleaze Park pitch having been under water earlier this month, Port have spent the past few weeks of the season the road, but it hasn’t derailed their form with Lock’s side claiming victories over Chalfont St Peter (3-2), Edgeware & Kingsbury (2-1) and Wokingham & Emmbrook (1-0).

Each of the wins have been by a single goal, but in truth all could have been more comprehensive had the visitors put away their chances.

On Tuesday night they got the job done thanks to a late strike from substitute Kickie Dzimba, however, Port rained in 28 shots against the Sumas in a dominant display.

“We’ve performed really well,” said Lock. “We’ve deserved the three points in every game we’ve played. On Saturday, against Edgeware it was no different. I think they’d won their last four in a row and they’re not an easy side to play on their 3G, but in the big moments of the game we were a lot better than them.

“I’m now able to rotate my team around and I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing that last season. We’re a different animal now. We’re a good side.

“All of these boys who have played for the last year are coming to fruition now.

“Kickie literally subbed himself on last night. He could not have stood on my toes anymore if he tried. He had his jacket off and was saying ‘gaffer, put me on, I will score, I will score’. He’s got four goals and three assists in the last four games. “He’s dominating games. Their bench were hoping we didn’t put him on. We had 28 shots at goal, so we completely dominated the game. We had a right go at them. I’d have rather lost the game going for it than leave it at nil-nil, and we got the goal at the end, so I was really pleased.”

After each of their last few wins, Lock has posted ‘Little old Holyport’ on social media, however, he now feels his side have come at age at this level and he’s confident they’ll continue to prove that as the season goes on.

This week’s wins have lifted the side to 12th in the table – and only six points off the play-off places – with home games to come against North Greenford United (Saturday), Ardley United (Tuesday) and Harefield United (Saturday, February 10). Such is the confidence among the group that Lock is targeting a similar number of points from those matches as they’ve collected from their last three.

Reflecting on the players’ progress, Lock said: “Yeah, we’re in a good place. We’ve performed like this all year and the evolution is where I need it to be for this young group. They’re understanding it and it’s coming together very nicely. It’s going to take a really good side to beat us because we’re competitive all over the pitch.

“I couldn’t be prouder of them to be honest.

“I’ve worked with them, and it’s taken a lot of work off the pitch, but they’re understanding what it means to win now. Before, it was just another game of football and they were learning their position, but now they’re thinking about the three points, it’s all that matters.

“I’ve felt the evolution. These boys have just come to age. They’ve been a young group over the past couple of years and it’s been a project, but now we’re looking to compete and to upset some of the big boys. It’s a lot less stressful when you’re winning games. I’m enjoying myself thoroughly.”

He added: “We set ourselves a target for the three away games and now we’ve got a similar target for these three home games.

“In the past we’ve been looking down at the bottom and that builds pressure on you. Now, when you’re looking up, every game is a bonus and we’re just going to have a go at everyone.