Tues 10th April

April 10, 2012 at 10:42 pm · Filed under Comrades Match Reports, First Team

Tues 10th April 2012

Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier

HOLMER GREEN 0 v 3 BERKHAMSTED

We consolidated our league position by winning this replayed game at Holmer Green.

Despite missing half a dozen regulars the side produced a solid performance as we completed our second victory in four days.

We began brightly, with teenagers Connnor Calcutt (twice) and Josh Chamberlain breaking through with just Sam Bunting to beat, but he saved two and the other shot went wide.

Calcutt might have shot but unselfishly passed to Jon Davies who shot tamely at Bunting in our next chance and it turned into a frustrating half against a team just above the relegation zone. Indeed, the Green side had shouts for a penalty turned down before the interval.

The turning point of the game was in the 56^th minute when Courtney Francis was tripped just outside the penalty area by last man Gary Pape, who got a red card for his efforts. A short free kick by Chamberlain was crossed by Josh Smith and Dale Sears headed it back across goal and inside the post, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

Scott McPherson, promoted from the Reserves came on for Franics and his incisive passing helped settle the match.

He combined with Danny Power and split the Holmer defence with a pass that released Calcutt, whose cross from the right wing was turned into his own net by Green’s Steve Nott-Macaire.

The persistent fouling on Josh Smith ended with a second yellow for Gary Lines, meaning Berko had to play against nine men for the rest of the game.

Josh Chamberlain

In the last minute of normal time Mcpherson sprayed the ball out to Lewis Rodrigoe who crossed from the left wing for Chamberlain to make it 2-0. Chamberlain scored again in injury time with a free kick, that possibly brushed Josh Smith’s hair on its way to bounce in at the far post, to confirm the points.

Those that were concerned that the decision to replay the previously abandoned game might have given Green an advantage over relegation rivals Hatfield and Hanwell, need not have worried.

The win moves us to within five points of seventh placed Colney Heath, who we still have to play in one of our remaining three games.

Berko: Farmer, Power, Rodrigoe, Smith , Sears, Fredrick , Chamberlain, Hawes, Calcutt, Davies, Francis(McPherson). Subs: not used Gavin. Boad.

On Saturday Berko go to Kingsbury to play London Tigers, hoping to notch their fifth double of the season. Apart from Aaron Usmani, Mick Vipond should have a full squad to select from with the Carmichael brothers, Matt Wardle and Mark Welling all available again and Frankie Jowle should be over his bout of sickness.

Berko’s Reserve side travel to AFC Hayes in the Suburban League North on Saturday. The under 18 side conclude their league season with a trip to Boreham Wood on Thursday 12^th.

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