THIRD HOME WIN ON THE TROT FOR BERKO

August 25, 2013 at 10:13 am · Filed under Comrades Match Reports

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 27^th and the under 18s at home to Leverstock Green in the Olympian division on Thursday 29^th.

The month ends on Saturday 31^st 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 3^rd. Otherwise Berko will be at home to London Tigers that night, when Frankie Jowle could return after a three match ban.

On Saturday 31^st Berko’s Suburban League side travel to play Southall.

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