Berkhamsted Football Club
The ComradesArchive for August, 2013
BERKO MOVE UP TO 4TH
ST MARAGARETSBURY 0 BERKHAMSTED 2
A goal in each half from Connor Calcutt ensured the Comrades notched their first away win of the season on Tuesday night. Berko started well and were on top for long spells of the game, constantly keeping the home side under pressure. Josh Chamberlain won a corner which he took himself and picked out tall centre back Ed Canham who headed against the cross bar but Calcutt was on hand to nod the rebound home. Joel Maybury and his side were uncomfortable whenever Canham came up for corners and free kicks. Canham headed another Chamberlain corner just over the bar. On the break Davy Edmee looked the only one likely to trouble Berko’s settled defence, who kept a clean sheet for the first time this season. St Mags did hit the foot of the post in the first half before the talkative Maybury went in the book. James Towell came into the game as the interval approached and had one goal disallowed for a push and Ben Bateman saved a header of his.
Berko forced three successive corners early in the second half and from the last one Canham headed over the bar. Steve Hawes had a shot kicked off the line as the visitors continued to press. At the other end Edmeee broke away but shot wide. Ashley Addison came on for Towell and soon after Berko doubled the lead. A fine ball released Calcutt who sprung the offside trap and netted with a low shot past the advancing Bateman. Calcutt got clear again but placed his shot wide of the post when a hat trick was there for the taking. There were calls for a penalty when he next went through and came down when hurdling over Bateman’s body, the referee ruling the keeper had got a hand to the ball.
In the closing stages Berko had three men booked in Hawes, Frederick and Sears, which was harsh on two of them.It was Berko’s fourth win on the trot and moved them up to fourth in the Premier division table.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Copson, Rodrigoe, Canham, Sears, Hawes, Frederick, Calcutt Towell (Addison), Chamberlain. Substitutes not used Thompson, Morrissey & McCarthy.
The month ends on Saturday 31st with Berko entertaining Harefield United in the FA Cup with Budweiser k.o.3pm in what should produce a good crowd at Broadwater. Berko won 3-1 when the sides met earlier this season in the league. A repeat would see Berko travel to Calor Central division leaders Daventry Town or Hillingdon Borough in the next round. If a replay is needed it will be at Harefield on Tuesday 3rd. Otherwise Berko will be at home to London Tigers that night, when Frankie Jowle could return after a three match ban.
On Saturday 31st Berko’s Suburban League side travel to play Southall.
The midweek action sees Berko’s first team at St Margaretsbury on Tuesday 27th and the under 18s at home to Leverstock Green in the Olympian division on Thursday 29th.
THIRD HOME WIN ON THE TROT FOR BERKO
BERKHAMSTED 2 AMPTHILL TOWN 1
New signing from St Albans City Tom Coulton made his debut in goal for Berkhamsted whilst Carl Tasker was at a wedding, and he looked a good signing, only being beaten by a last minute deflected free kick. Mick Vipond recalled three players to the starting line up in Josh Chamberlain, Dan Griggs and James Towell and the latter duo were the ones that came up with the goals for Berko.
Martin Conway made a fine save at the railway end to tip a Connor Calcutt free kick over the bar after Jordon Frederick was fouled. Calcutt had goals disallowed in each half for offside as Berko made plenty chances against an Ampthill side that was missing several regulars. For the visitors, Danny Watson, a close season capture from Newport Pagnell Town offered most threat, but he twice shot inches over the cross bar in the first half.
The young referee was being assessed, which as usual, meant plenty yellow cards were flashed. Berko made the crucial breakthrough 5 minutes before the interval when Griggs came up at the back post and netted.
In the second half, Chamberlain and Jack Copson were knocking plenty crosses in from the left wing but somehow the ball was staying out of the goal. Dale Sears nodded a couple of inviting crosses over the bar. Calcutt followed the text book in heading one down, but Conway managed to save the ball with his feet. Conway eventually slipped up and was caught on the edge of his area when the ball ran to Towell, who is Berko’s most composed finisher, and he looked up and took his time before calmly lobbing into the net from 20 yards out.
Berko brought on Ashley Addison and Adam Mead hoping to add more goals. However, chances continued to go begging at the canal end for the home side. In the last minute a low free kick from Watson took a late deflection to wrong foot Coulton and leave the final scoreline looking a lot closer than the reality of the game.
Berko: Coulton; Griggs, Copson, Rodrigoe, Canham, Sears, Hawes, Frederick, Calcutt (Addison), Towell(Mead) Chamberlain. Substitutes not used Thompson, Morrissey & McCarthy.
The midweek action sees Berko’s first team at St Margaretsbury on Tuesday 27th and the under 18s at home to Leverstock Green in the Olympian division on Thursday 29th.
The month ends on Saturday 31st with Berko entertaining Harefield Untied in the FA Cup with Budweiser k.o.3pm in what should produce a good crowd at Broadwater. Mick Vipond has added Lewis Stafford who has moved into the area from St Ives to his squad. However, Harry Sedgley has left to join Hertford Town. Berko won 3-1 when the sides met earlier this season in the league. A repeat would see Berko travel to Calor Central division leaders Daventry Town or Hillingdon Borough in the next round. If a replay is needed it will be at Harefield on Tuesday 3rd. Otherwise Berko will be at home to London Tigers that night, when Frankie Jowle could return after a three match ban.
On Saturday 31st Berko’s Suburban League side travel to play Southall.
FA CUP WIN FOR BERKO
BERKHAMSTED 2 AFC DUNSTABLE 1
An unchanged Berko side edged AFC Dunstable out of the FA Cup on Saturday in an incident packed close match that included three penalties. The visitors took the lead in the 8th minute when centre half Ed Canham was caught pushing. Craig Butler stepped up to net from the penalty spot. Berko tried hard to get back in it, but the speedy BJ Christie and Stefan Tracey were proving a handful, especially with a yard or two’s start as the offside flag strangely stayed down on several occasions. Eventually their supply lines were cut off.
Steve Hawes nearly scored against his old club with a 25 yard drive that beat Ryan Darby in the Dunstable goal but just curled past the upright. Darby collected a header from skipper Dale Sears. Tracey placed the ball invitingly across the face of the goal, but Christie just failed to apply the finishing touch. Jordon Frederick has found his shooting boots and after scoring against Harefield in midweek, equalised just before the interval with a powerful shot that took a deflection off a defender, wrong footing Darby.
Early in the second half Frankie Jowle shot from the right and hit the cross bar with Darby stranded. Christie went close twice for the visitors after beating three men in a jinking run. Butler had a golden chance for the visitors when he found himself clear, but pushed the ball wide at the railway end.
Darby conceded a penalty with quarter of an hour remaining when he came to punch a cross and mistimed it, connecting with Berko substitute Josh Chamberlain’s head. Dunstable skipper James Baldry was booked for arguing about it, after Chamberlain had put Berko in front from the penalty spot.
Dunstable were given the chance to force a replay when a rash challenge from Jamie Gavin produced yet another penalty. Many managers do not let the same player take two penalties in a game, so Dale Turvey was given the job. He tried to be too clever, and assumed the goalkeeper would dive to one of the corners, so he struck it down the middle where Carl Tasker saved. So Berko will be at home to Harefield United in the next round on Saturday 31st August, as the Hares kod Woodford United 3-0 on Saturday.
Tasker; Gavin(Griggs), Copson, Rodrigoe, Canham(Towell), Sears, Jowle, Hawes, Calcutt, Frederick, McCarthy( Chamberlain).Substitutes not used Hickson, Thompson & Mead.
The Suburban League season started on Saturday with Berko visiting Royston Reserves, last season’s Northern division winners. Two of the under 18 graduates Tommy Twelves and Mitchell Cole netted for the Comrades but they still went down 3-2. The Royston goalkeeper was man of the match for keeping out many Berko shots.
On Saturday Berko entertain Ampthill Town in the Premier division ko 3pm but will be missing Frankie Jowle, who starts a three match ban after his dismissal in the season opener at Hanwell Town. Ashley Addison could be fit to return. On Tuesday 27th Berko go to one of the Premier division favourites, St Margaretsbury ko 7:45pm. 
More photos available at Berko FC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/79444494835/. Thanks to Ray Canham, Frame One Photography for photos.
BERKO TURN TO FA CUP AFTER FINE MIDWEEK WIN
BERKHAMSTED 3 HAREFIELD UNITED 1
Lewis Rodrigoe and Dale Sears were back for a Berko side that notched a comfortable win on Tuesday night. They camped in the Hareefield half for long periods in the first half and opened the scoring in the 13th minute. A Frankie Jowle corner found its way to the far side of the pitch where Jamie Gavin lashed it back into the goal past keeper John Peacock and it was over the line before a despairing defender could only kick it higher into the net.
Riccardo Cannon sscored a hat trick for Hares on Saturday but his deflection on a shot produced the reflex save of the night from Carl Tasker. The tall Ed Canham won everything in the air at centre half for the Comrades but was unlucky to get a yellow card when he won a tackle.
Alex McCarthy celebrated his return to Broadwater from Leighton with the second goal early in the second half. His shot into the ground still had enough power to beat Peacock at the canal end. Tasker’s legs immediately came to Berko’s rescue as Cannon had a chance at the other end. Jordon Frederick rounded off the scoring with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area as Berko carved out the chance from a right wing throw in.
United brought on a couple of substitutes and did get a goal back with a long shot by Tom Howe. A rising free kick from Connor Calcutt clipped the top of the bar as Berko continued to look the better team. Ex Tring Athletic player Ashley Addison has returned to Broadwater after a 5 year absence and he came on with James Towell as Berko pressed for more goals. Calcutt hit one wide for Berko and Tasker again saved at the other end.
This was by far Berko’s best performance since last season as every man played their part. Competition for places is hotting up as three of last season’s regulars are currently sidelined.
Tasker; Gavin, Copson, Rodrigoe, Canham, Sears, Jowle(Addison), Hawes, Calcutt, Frederick, McCarthy( Towell) .Substitutes not used Hardy, Thompson & Morrisey.
Berko’s development side drew 3-3 with Hatfield Reserves thanks to goals from Mitchell Cole, Kieron Turner and Myron Marshall.
On Saturday it is FA Cup with Budweiser time at Broadwater when Berko entertain AFC Dunstable in a game that kicks off at 3pm. Josh Chamberlain will be available again for Berko but Adam Mead and Bekim Culaj remain on the injured list. If a replay is needed it will be at Creasey Park on Wednesday night.
Berko’s development squad start their Suburban League season at champions Royston Town on Saturday.
HOME GAMES
Tonight Berkhamsted got a bye in the 1st round of the Herts Senior Cup and were drawn at home to Boreham Wood in the 2nd round, which should take place on Tuesday 3rd December. Wood play 3 steps higher up the pyramid than Berko in the Conference South which is now known as the Skrill South after a change of sponsor.
Do not forget our first home league game of the season is on Tuesday 13th against Harefield United.
Our under 18s entertain Northwood at 6:45pm on Thursday 15th August in a friendly.
OPENING LOSS FOR BERKO
HANWELL TOWN 3 BERKHAMSTED 0
Berko fared better than on their last trip to Hanwell, holding one of the title favourites in a goalless first half. However things went pear shaped in the last half hour, when they went behind, then had a man sent off, and the 10 men conceded two late goals.
Connor Calcutt had the first two shots for Berko before they conceded a free kick that was headed narrowly wide. Recent signing from Totternhoe, Luke Hickson cleared off his own line from an overhead kick. A rising drive from Adam Mead just cleared the bar and Calcutt headed a fine Frankie Jowle right wing cross over the goal with the chance of the half. When these two sides meet there is usually some friction, but the referee settled for words rather than cards in the first half, except that Jordon Frederick went in the book. Towards the end of the half Carl Tasker saved Berko, parrying snap shots as forwards kept breaking through. Ed Canham has added height to the Berko defence and allowed Jamie Gavin to revert to full back, where he had a better game.
Aftger the interval Tasker was again busy making saves. At the other end, Frederick got round the back of the defence but could not control the ball. The opening goal came on the hour mark when Billy Healey placed a superb shot into the top right hand corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty area. It became end to end football with Calcutt hitting shots at one end and Tasker making double saves at the other end. Berko introduced two substitutes, new signing from Leighton Town Alex McCarthy and Glenn Thompson to try and pep up the midfield, but they did not see much of the ball.
The decisive moment was 10 minutes from the end when in front of the assistant Frankie Jowle ended up wrestling on the floor with a Hanwell defender. Jowle got a red card for what was really retaliation and Hanwell escaped with one yellow card as the match officials missed the original offences. An irate Mick Vipond was sent to the stands for approaching the assistant referee just before the game restarted.
Hanwell’s player of last season Tom Kennedy had a goal chalked off earlier in the game but made no mistake from close range when the Berko defence failed to clear the ball. Healey scored 24 goals last season and he rubbed salt in the wounds with the third goal after latching on to a high bouncing ball in the last minute.
Tasker; Gavin, Copson, Canham,Hickson, Hawes, Jowle, Gavin, Frederick, Calcutt, Mead(McCarthy), Towell(Thompson) Substitutes not used Hardy, Bevan & Coultas.
Berko’s development squad went down 6-1 at home to Uxbridge Reserves in their final pre-season friendly at home to Uxbridge on Saturday. Mitchell Cole scored for the Comrades. It followed a 2-2 draw at Bovingdon on Thursday night when Tyler Smith and Ashley Badwin netted for the young Berko side.
On Saturday it is FA Cup with Budweiser time at Broadwater when Berko entertain AFC Dunstable in a game that kicks off at 3pm. Josh Chamberlain will be available again for Berko. If a replay is needed it will be at Creasey Park on Wednesday night.
Berko’s development squad start their Suburban League season at champions Royston Town on Saturday.
DRAW FOR BERKO
BERKHAMSTED 1 CHIPPERFIELD CORINTHIANS 1
Berko drew their last pre-season match on Tuesday night. New signing from Totternhoe, Luke Hickson came in at centre back for Berko and Steve Hawes returned in midfield. Chipperfield keeper Beddall saved a first half penalty from Frankie Jowle, diving full length to tip it round the post. Steve Hawes was next to go close for the home side when his bending shot from the edge of the penalty area came back off the right hand post with a ping.
Second half substitute James Towell robbed a defender on the touchline and carefully placed a low shot to open the scoring for Berko. However, Adarian Abramian equalised for the visitors in what was a useful work out for both teams. Berko missed several good chances even from close range, particularly in the second half.
Berko:Tasker, Bevan, Copson, Hickson,Gavin, Hawes, Jowle, Frederick, Calcutt,Coultas,Mead. Subs Calverley, Hardy, Canham, Thompson, Sears,Towell, Cole, Chamberlain.
The Spartan South Midlands Premier league season starts on Saturday with Berko travelling to Hanwell Town. On Tuesday 13th Berko are at home to Harefield United in the Premier division ko 7:45pm. Lewis Rodrigoe will be back after suspension for that match.
On Saturday Berko’s development squad take on Uxbridge at Broadwater with a 1pm kick off.
CHARITY SHIEDL EXIT
BERKHAMSTED 0 HODDESDON TOWN 2
Mick Vipond gave first team competitive debuts to four players in Saturday’s Herts Charity Shield tie, including three defenders, Tom Hardy, Glen Donnelley and substitute Jack Copson (who has returned to Broadwater after several seasons at Leighton Town). Former Egham Town player Steve Coultas came into midfield.
Hoddesdon served an early warning when Dave Pigden headed inches over the bar. Robbie Carroll was adjudged to have beaten the offside trap and ran on to score with a cool lob over the exposed Carl Tasker to open the scoring midway through the first half. Berko could have equalised before the interval but when they got behind the visiting defence the crosses often lacked quality. When they did connect, Berko were off target, with a shot going over the bar and a Josh Chamberlain header was inches too high.
Jordon Frederick and Adam Mead picked up a yellow card each either side of half time as Berko’s frustration showed. Frederick hit Berko’s best shot of the day, a real piledriver that was foiled by Jayden Purdue’s fine save. It looked like Berko might manage an equaliser amidst a flurry of substitutions by both managers but with 5 minutes left Hoddesdon doubled their lead. Berko lost possession in midfield and the ball found its way to Jamie Brandon who drew out Tasker on the right of the penalty box, before squaring he ball for substitute Dave Brewington to tap in at the back post.
Hoddesdon will be at home to Hadley in the quarter final after Hadley won 5-1 at Welwyn Garden City.
Tasker; Griggs, Hardy,Donnelley(Copson), Gavin, Frederick, Coultas (Thompson),Jowle, Calcutt, Mead(Welling), Chamberlain Substitutes not used Bevan & Canham.
Berko’s reserves also went down 3-0 to London Colney in a friendly, with Alfie Osborne going closest for the Conrades with a header that came back off the cross bar. It followed a 3-1 midweek defeat to St Margaretsbury when Spencer Warby took his goal well for Berko.
Steve Hawes should be back for Berko at home to Chipperfield Corinthians on Tuesday 6th August in the final pre-season friendly ko 7:45pm.
The Spartan South Midlands Premier league season starts on Saturday with Berko travelling to Hanwell Town. On Tuesday 13th Berko are at home to Harefield United in the Premier division ko 7:45pm. Lewis Rodrigoe will be back after suspension for that match.
On Saturday Berko’s development squad take on Uxbridge at Broadwater with a 1pm kick off.
Berkhamsted Football Club 