Sackey scores on his debut as Holyport fight back to beat Reading City – Photo 1 of 1

Lynford Sackey and Logan Coles. Photo: Holyport FC

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Reading City 2, Holyport 3

Cyril Ocansey scored his fifth goal of the season and Lynford Sackey scored on his debut as Holyport came from behind to beat Reading City 3-2 at Rivermoor last night (Tuesday).

Port suffered their first defeat of the season at North Greenford United on Saturday – a result that took Greenford to the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North table.

But Adam Hopkins’ side proved last night that they can play well away from Summerleaze Park, showing courage, character and plenty of skill to earn all three points against the Cityzens.

They certainly didn’t have everything under control last night, but they could have won more comfortably in a game in which Port were awarded two penalties – the second of which Sackey calmly converted.

McCalmon – who was later voted man of the match by Port fans – was the first to test the City goalkeeper in the seventh minute, and Fuller also missed a shot from another McCalmon effort a few minutes later.

The visitors then had a golden chance to take the lead when the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 16th minute, but Ocansey’s spot kick was well saved by Charlie York and Reading took the lead in the 36th minute through Ewan Lynch.

Port were not far behind, however, as Fabiene Etienne headed in a fine Logan Coles corner in the 39th minute and then turned the game on its head when the visitors were awarded a second penalty moments later.

This time Sackey made no mistake and he smashed the ball into the bottom right corner in the 43rd minute to make it 2-1.

A third goal for Hopkins’ side followed in the 55th minute when Ocansey made amends for his earlier missed penalty by breaking free of the Cityzens’ defence, beating the goalkeeper and firing the ball home.

With a two-goal lead, the visitors looked confident – even more so when one of their midfielders was sent to the penalty box. But even though they were down to ten men for a while, they were able to pull one back in the 62nd minute with a beautiful lob from Lynch.

In the 68th minute, Ocansey came close to scoring with an audacious overhead kick and, despite late pressure from the hosts, Port held on to win the match and record their fourth league victory of the season.

The result leaves them third on 14 points and with the chance to move further ahead of fourth-placed Amersham Town if they can beat them at Summerleaze Park on Saturday.

After the game, Port’s media team spoke to new signings Logan Coles and Lynford Sackey.