Ocansey nets twice but Holyport are punished for late lapse against Berks County

Cyril Ocansey. Photo: Holyport FC

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Holyport boss Adam Hopkins has said his players must learn lessons from a late lapse in concentration last night (Tuesday) which cost them all three points against Berks County.

Port had been closing in on a third straight win in the league after Cyril Ocansey netted twice in the second half to turn the game in their favour after they fell behind to a fortunate strike from Louis Samuel Nualart in the first half.

But their perfect start was undone in the 95th minute when the hosts failed to deal with a ball into the box and Sam Hutchings headed home a last-gasp equaliser.

While disappointed not to have extended the side's 100 per cent start Hopkins said afterwards, he didn't begrudge the visitors their point and said it should serve as a 'wakeup call' to the players that they aren't going to have things all their own way this season.

Berks County were hammered 7-1 by Ardley United at the weekend and many thought they might be lambs to the slaughter once again arriving at Summerleaze Park last night.

But they sat deep and frustrated their hosts for the most part before Ocansey chipped in with a couple of quick-fire goals.

Samuel Nualart's slightly fortunate strike from out wide gave them something to hold onto and, while Port had plenty of possession, they struggled to carve out meaningful chances until changes were made in the second half.

Lewis Bebb and Lewis Wilson were replaced by Fabien Etienne and Harvey Seeman and Port looked a more balanced and dangerous outfit in the second half.

They levelled matters in the 68th minute when Ocansey kept his cool to slot home after being sent in on the Berks County goal,

Then, just four minutes later, Ocansey found space once again to lob home their second. The hosts might have killed the game off in the closing stages but didn't and were punished when Hutchings headed home in stoppage-time.

Reacting to the late setback, Hopkins spoke to Holyport's club media. saying: “I expected a response from Berks.

“They turned up with a game plan after being very well beaten by Ardley at the weekend. They sat very deep, and it was hard to get them to come out to be honest.

“We went 1-0 down from a cross into the box, which has just flown over the keeper. And they then just sat behind the ball. It’s very difficult to get a team to come and play when you’re dominating possession. We dominated possession and in the second half we changed the shape. Changed the patterns of play we went through. That changed the game, and it put us on top.

“Do I begrudge them the point? I think it would have been two points gained for us, and no I don’t begrudge them the point because I thought from set pieces they threatened.

“This is a big wake up for us. We can’t just come and play for 50 minutes. We must play for the whole time we’re on the pitch. We need to start brighter, and we also can’t take people for granted. It’s a lesson learned really.

“Going behind probably did us a favour. Half-time couldn’t come quick enough. There were bits we needed to change and talk about, and we went out in the second half and scored two goals. It could have been more, but in the last few minutes you concede a goal from a header, which really and truly it should have been dealt with.

“Cyril is a goal threat. He’ll score goals wherever he goes. He scored 87 goals in the past few seasons for his last club, so I know he’s going to score goals.

“For us though, we’re still unbeaten in the league and it’s seven points from our first three games. If someone had offered me that before the start of the season I’d have said yes, please.

“We’re still a work in progress, we’re a new side coming together and there are things to work on which we can see, but things will only get better from here. But we are a team that needs to learn from this.”

Holyport remain third, two points off leaders Ardley United going into their next game - also at home to Virginia Water.