US Portsmouth goal hero Harry Sargeant – ‘I couldn’t keep my cool and bust out the robot celebration!’

Harry Sargeant delivered on the first part of his pre-match pledge after scoring in US Portsmouth's stunning 2-0 FA Vase quarter-final victory over Flackwell Heath.
Harry Sargeant celebrates his goal against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart MartinHarry Sargeant celebrates his goal against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart Martin
Harry Sargeant celebrates his goal against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart Martin

But he couldn't keep his 'cool' to bring up the robot celebration he'd promised prior to kick-off.

Sargeant, 22, headed home in the final 10 minutes to secure USP's spot in the semi-finals after James Franklyn had fired the hosts ahead in the first half.

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There would have been little surprise to see leading scorer Franklyn on the scoresheet, but Sargeant's effort was somewhat of a rarity.

Harry Sargeant celebrates scoring against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart MartinHarry Sargeant celebrates scoring against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart Martin
Harry Sargeant celebrates scoring against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart Martin

In fact, it was the first time the midfielder has found the net since scoring in a 4-1 league win over Alton in January 2020.

Prior to Saturday, he had scored just six times in 79 league and cup appearances for US since the start of 2018/19.

But in the build-up to the biggest game in his club’s history, such was Sargeant's confidence he told team-mate Harry Bedford he would score and then bring out the robot celebration made famous by ex-Pompey striker Peter Crouch - and he came good on one of those promises.

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Sargeant confessed: 'I told Harry I was going to score and I was also supposed to bust out the robot.

Harry Sargeant scores US Portsmouth's second goal against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart MartinHarry Sargeant scores US Portsmouth's second goal against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart Martin
Harry Sargeant scores US Portsmouth's second goal against Flackwell Heath. Picture: Stuart Martin

‘Honestly, if I was cool enough to run over to the camera and bust out the robot then fair play to me.

'I got lost in the moment on that one, maybe if it happens next week I’ll owe it.

‘It was my first goal for the first team, definitely this season, probably about a year and a half to be honest.

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‘It’s something I need to look to add to my game but I don’t think there was a better time to step up and get the goal then in that game.'

But all jokes aside, this was another massive moment in the history of US Portsmouth.

They are now just 90 minutes away from walking out at Wembley in the FA Vase final on May 22.

The slaying of Flackwell was the sixth time in seven rounds in the competition they've beaten higher division opposition from step 5.

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But Sargeant insisted Hellenic League Premier side Flackwell were the best team they've faced in the tournament to date.

He said: ‘For me personally, that’s probably the best team I’ve come up against in the time I’ve played.

'They’re a lot different to the opposition you get in the Wessex League.

‘The movement from the front three was quite good from them. We knew they were dangerous going into the game, we’d had a bit of research and reports, so we were prepared for it and it’s why we dealt so well with it.

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'The second half performance particularly, it was backs against the rope kind of thing, but we showed great determination to keep them out.

‘We didn’t really allow them too many clear-cut chances in there.

‘At the moment it’s hard to comprehend how much of an achievement yesterday was - not only getting there but also winning.

‘It probably works in our favour because it allows us not to put too much pressure on ourselves.

‘At the moment it’s pretty hard to comprehend, but I’m sure we’ll look back after it’s all over and then we’ll realise how big of an achievement it was.'