Berkhamsted Football Club
The ComradesArchive for September, 2013
BERKO WIN AGAIN TO KEEP 100% HOME RECORD
BERKHAMSTED 3 HODDESDON TOWN 2
Berko notched another win on Saturday and whilst they lie 5th in the table, should they win their games in hand they would be able to go to the top. Once again injury and weddings disrupted the Berko line up, but the squad still managed to come up with the points. Tom Calverley got his first game of the season in goal and Josh Chamberlain’s back had recovered but Steve Hawes one had not.
Berko took an early lead when Jamie Gavin bent the ball in from the right hand side of the penalty area. Adam Bolle equalised before the interval with a header as the cross eluded the Berko defence. Just before half time there were chances at either end. Chamberlain’s effort went over the bar and visiting skipper Gary Simmonds shot wide when through and James Towell was also too high.
Ed Canham picked up a harsh yellow card when running and connecting with a Hoddesdon player’s head that was at shin height. Gavin headed over from a Jowle cross as Berko pressed at the canal end. Towell beat half a dozen men and went down but no penalty was forthcoming. Connor Calcutt had to come off injured and recent signing from Leverstock Green Adiel Mannion replaced him. Reece Buck made a fine save from a 25 yard shot. Ashley Morrissey came on for Towell. Berko began to run at the full backs who looked uncomfortable. Mannion put the Comrades in front when he cut in from the right wing and bent his shot in at the far post past Reece. Soon after Morrisey made it 3-1 when he beat two men on the left of the penalty area and smashed a hot beyond Reece. The keeper made a hash of a clearance and Chamberlain brought it down but unfortuantely shot wide when he was clear.
Deep in injury time Hoddesdon pulled one back when Bolle again proved strong in the air to head past Calverley into the far corner of the net.
Berko: Calverley; Griggs ,Culaj, Rodrigoe, Canham, Frederick, Jowle(Mead), Gavin, Calcutt (Mannion) Towell (Morrissey) Chamberlain. Substitute not used Smith.
Berko had a fien 2-2 draw against Newport Pagnell Reserves on Saturday with James Shaw marking his debut with a couple of goals.
Berko start a run of five consecutive away games on Tuesday at Oxhey Jets in the Premier division Cup. On Saturday there is an important league game at mid-table London Colney and on Tuesday 8th they go to Sun Postal Sports in the Challenge Trophy.
Berko have a Suburban League match at home to Northwood Reserves on Saturday followed by a league trip to Barton Rovers on Monday 7th. The under 18s are at Kings Langley in the Olympian division on Wednesday 2nd and go to Uxbridge in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday 9th.
1ST DRAW OF THE SEASON FOR BERKO
AFC DUNSTABLE 2 BERKHAMSTED 2
Honours were shared on Wednesday night in a close game between two of the promotion contenders. With back injuries ruling out Steve Hawes and Josh Chamberlain and Dale Sears and Jack Copson unavailable Berko had a rearranged team. The home sides’s top scorer BJ Christie put AFC ahead in the 15th minute latching on to a long ball and finishing well. Connor Calcutt and Jordon Frederick went close for Berko and a Lewis Rodrigoe overhead kick looked like going in, but went just the wrong side of the post. Dunstable had a slender one goal lead at the interval.
A burst of two goals around the hour mark changed the game. A bullet header from James Towell from a fine cross by Calcutt produced the equaliser. Ed Canham headed a Jamie Gavin cross back across goal and Calcutt netted his 10th of the season to put Berko in front.
After some hesitation, the referee awarded the hime side a penalty for a trip by Canham. When the sides met earlier in the season a late penalty miss cost Dunstable dearly. This time Kyle Lincoln took it and gave Tasker no chance with a fierce top corner shot.
Mick Vipond made a double substitution, giving a debut to recent signing from Leverstock Green Adiel Mannion and introducing Ashley Morrissey. Calcutt beat two men and cut in fro the left but his shot drifted beyond the far post. Berko were fuming when Towell went clear only for the referee to fail to play the advantage rule and dragged play back 20 yards for a Berko free kick.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs ,Culaj, Rodrigoe, Canham Frederick, Jowle(Mannion), Gavin, Calcutt, Bent (Morrissey) Towell,. Bent, Substitutes not used Mead &Chamberlain.
On Saturday Berko entertain Hoddesdon Town in another league game and will be keen to avenge a pre-season defeat in the Herts Charity Shield when Town last visited. Steve Hawes and Josh Chmaberlain should be recovered from back injuries to strengthen Mick Vipond’s squad. On Tuesday 1st October Berko go to Oxhey Jets ko7:30 in the Premier Division Cup.
Berko’s reserve team have a Suburban League match at Newport Pagnell Town on Saturday and on Wednesday evening the under 18s are at King Langley in the Olympian division.
CUP DRAWS
Berko under 18’s will be away to Bedfont Sports or Uxbridge in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup. Last night they won 3-1 at home to a strong Ashford Town (Middlesex) side to set up the tie.Kai Lewis led the way with a goal in each half. Ashford pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining but Brad Turner made sure of Berko’s cup win with a last minute goal at the canal end.
After knocking Buckingham Town out on Saturday, Berkhamsted have been drawn away to Baldock Town in the FA Carlsberg Vase. The tie will be played at Hitchin Town’s ground on Saturday 19th October ko 3pm. Baldock are currently mid-table in the division below Berkhamsted.
Berkhamsted will begin their defence of the St Marys Cup with a home tie against Hemel Hempstead Rovers on a date to be arranged. If successful they will be at home to fellow Premier division sides Oxhey Jets or Tring Athletic in the semi final.
BERKO PROGRESS IN THE FA VASE
BERKHAMSTED 3 BUCKINGHAM TOWN 2
Berkhamsted won their way through to the first round proper of the FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday, despite Buckingham twice coming back to level the scores. Mick Vipond named Tom Coulton in goal in place of the unavailable Carl Tasker and Connor Calcutt was fit to return but Josh Chamberlain had to stand down at the last minute with a late back spasm.
Calcutt put Berko ahead from the penalty spot in the 7th minute after referee Trinder had spotted a push on Dale Sears at a corner. The visitors signed Dominic Lawless from Calor Premier side Bedford Town just in time for this tie and he levelled the scores with a fine 20 yard strike mid-way through the first half. Berko had a few chances to get back in front with James Towell beating his man but dragging his shot beyond the far post and Calcutt pounced on a weak clearance from Diego Vasqnec but his delayed shot was deflected for a corner. Towell put Berko ahead before the interval when he beat his man on the left wing and cut inside to place a shot beyond the keeper just inside the post. Arron Murrell hit two fierce long shots for the visitors but they were just off target.
Coulton tipped a more accurate Murrell shot over the bar in the second half. A Sears shot was deflected for a corner at the canal end whilst Dom Schombre had a goal at the railway end disallowed for offside.
Lewis Rodrigoe got caught trying to shield the ball out of play and ex Chesham player Dan Marsala robbed him and equalised for Buckingham with a shot from a tight angle. They were only level for a minute though, as Calcutt beat two men and his shot was too hot for Vasqnec to hold and Dan Griggs tucked home the loose ball to win the game.
The referee issued lots of yellow cards including Berko’s Ed Canham and Sears in the first half and Calcutt and substitute Jamie Gavin after the interval.
Berko: Coulton; Griggs ,Culaj, Rodrigoe, Canham Hawes, Jowle, Sears, Calcutt, Towell(Morrissey). Bent, (Gavin), Substitutes not used Chamberlain & Copson.
Berko’s reserve side had a tough week going down 0-5 to Ashford Town (Middlesex), which leaves them a lot to do in the second leg of the Suburban League Cup. They also lost 0-1 at Dunstable Town in the Suburban North on Saturday and hope to do better in the league at Newport Pagnell Town on Saturday.
Berkhamsted travel to AFC Dunstable on Wednesday 25th in an important Premier division match of 3rd versus 4th placed teams. Jordon Frederick’s suspension is over and Cark Tasker could also return but Jack Copson is unavailable. On Saturday Berko entertain Hoddesdon Town in another league game and will be keen to avenge a pre-season defeat in the Herts Charity Shield when Town last visited. On Tuesday 1st October Berko go to Oxhey Jets ko7:30 in the Premier Division Cup.
BERKO SCORE 6 & MOVE UP TO 3RD IN THE TABLE
OXHEY JETS 2 BERKHAMSTED 6
Berko moved in to the top three on Tuesday night with a comprehensive win to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment. Mick Vipond made three changes to the back four that played at Daventry with Ed Canham available again, Bekim Culaj making his first start of the season after injury and Dan Griggs returning ot the right back slot and James Towell came in up front for the injured Connor Calcutt.
Towell was brought down just outside the penalty area and Jets lined up the defensive wall wondering if it would be Josh Chamberlain’s left foot or Culaj’s right that would hit it. Berko opted for Culaj, who bent it around the wall and comprehensively beat Will Baker in the Jets goal to give Berko an early lead. However Jets equalised in the 20th minute when ex Berko youth player Ben Poulton capitalised on some hesitant defending and shot across Tasker to level matters.
A good run from Towell won a corner, from which Frankie Jowle picked out Ed Canham but his headers was saved by Baker. The match was decided by a Josh Chamberlain hat trick that came in a devastating 6 minute spell before the interval. A few tricks from Jowle on the right wing took him past two men and he set up Chamberlain for a stunning shot that rocketed into the net to put Berko in front. Dale Sears flicked on a long throw and Chamberlain volleyed it over Baker to make it 3-1. A neat pass inside from Steve Hawes released Chamberlain who struck his second hat trick in 8 days to send Berko into half time with a happy 4-1 lead.
Baker saved from James Bent before an own goal briefly put Jets back in the game, Dale Sears facing his own goal intercepting a corss but putting it the wrong side of the post. It stirred Berko back into action and a Towell shot went for a corner with Baker flicking Canham’s resulting header over.
Simeon Armstrong got sent off for a late challenge on Canham who clearing the ball upfield. Berko took full advantage of the extra man by rattling in another couple of goals. Jowle went outside the full back and took his time before crossing for Towell to score. Substitute Ashley Morrissey nearly scored from the restart when Oxhey lost concentration in the centre circle. Next time he robbed a defender, Morrissey ran on to score the 6th goal. Jowle had a fine game and deservesd a goal for himself but it would not come even though he went clear a few times.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs ,Culaj, Rodrigoe, Canham (Gavin) Hawes, Jowle, Sears, Towell Bent, (Frederick), Chamberlain(Morrissey). Substitutes not used Stafford & Copson.
On Saturday 21st Berko turn their attention to FA Carlsberg Vase action at home to United Counties League side Buckingham Town ko 3pm in their last chance to reach Wembley this season. Jordon Frederick is suspended, but Connor Calcutt is the only injury.. On Wednesday 25th Berko go to AFC Dunstable for a vital match as they lie next to the Broadwater side in the table.
It is the 1st leg of the Suburban League Cup on Wednesday 18th when Berko travel to Ashford Town (Middlesex). Then on Saturday it is back to league action at Dunstable Town.
Berko’s under 18 side have two home games in 7 days facing Chesham United in theh league on Wednesday 18th and follow it on Tuesday 24 th with a home FA Youth Cup tie with Ashford Town (Middlesex). .
DAVENTRY KNOCK BERKO OUT OF THE FA CUP
DAVENTRY TOWN 6 BERKHAMSTED 1
Berko went out of the FA Cup on Saturday to the Central division leaders, who netted three goals in each half. There was not much difference between the skill of the two sides but Daventry were more ruthless in front of goal and better at punishing errors. So the day ended in disappointment for the large Berko support that had travelled up to the midlands in hope of an upset.
Dale Sears came in at centre half in place of the unavailable Ed Canham and Connor Calcutt was judged fit enough to return, but had to retire with a recurrence of his ankle problem early in the second half.
The home side opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Scott Cross got round the back of the defence and laid the ball for Mykel Beckley who managed to find a tiny gap to steer his shot through. James Bent shot over for Berko who were playing down the hill in the first half after Calcutt brought the ball down. Frankie Jowle was giving Josh Blake a tough time on the right flank but shot over. He also shot across the goal when Calcutt again created the chance. A trip in the penalty area on Calcutt allowed Berko to equalise. However Herbie Schotterl dived to save Bent’s spot kick but Bent was first to the loose ball and crossed it back for Sears to head in via the underside of the bar for his first goal of the season. Dan Griggs had a shot kicked off the line as at this point Berko sensed they could cause an upset. However, any such thoughts were banished when they got punished for not clearing their lines and conceded two goals in the five minutes before the interval. Cross got behind his marker to put Daventry back in front Neil King blasted the third with a low shot from 20 yards when the ball broke to him on the edge of the area. Within 5 minutes of the restart Bekim Culaj came on for the injured Calcutt and Carl Tasker saved well from another King shot.
Griggs had a couple of shots in quick succession charged down. Beckley converted a cross to make it 4-1 and Berko survived a penalty appeal for handball against Griggs. Micky Vipond threw on a couple of substitutes to try and salvage something but Daventry also introduced fresh legs. Two more goals in the last 10 minutes left the home side with a flattering score-line. Ross Oulton scoring the 5th and substitute Deqwan Ebanks got on the end of a long ball to complete the scoring. Berko still had a few chances with Culaj cutting in from the left after beating two men but he shot over as did Chamberlain when he got past the defenders and ran clear up the hill.
Berko: Tasker; Gavin, Copson(Frederick), Rodrigoe, Sears, Hawes,Jowle (Morrissey), Griggs, Calcutt(Culaj) Bent, Chamberlain. Substitutes not used Calverley & Towell).
In the reserve derby Tring Athletic took the lead at Berko with a Ryan Caterer goal in the first half. A super strike from Lewis Stafford equalised but with 15 minute left Athletic’s Chris Clark hit the winner with more than a suspicion of hand ball on the blind side of the match officials. The result left Berko regretting a string of missed chances.
There was some good news for Berko on Saturday as two of the three teams above them lost in the Premier division. There is an opportunity to close the gap as the Comrades have games in hand to play in midweek. On Tuesday 17th Berko are at Oxhey Jets who to have lost a lot of players from last season’s promotion chasing side k.o.7:30pm. On Wednesday 25th Berko go to AFC Dunstable for a vital match as they lie third in the table just above the Broadwater side by a point. Inbetween those matches on Saturday 21st Berko will be in FA Carlsberg Vase action at home to United Counties League side Buckingham Town ko 3pm in their last chance to reach Wembley this season.
It is the 1st leg of the Suburban League Cup on Wednesday 18th when Berko travel to Ashford Town (Middlesex). Then on Saturday it is back to league action at Dunstable Town.
Berko’s under 18 side have two home games in 7 days facing Chesham United in the league on Wednesday 18th and follow it on Tuesday 24 th with a home FA Youth Cup tie with Ashford Town (Middlesex). .
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BERKO TAKE WINNING RUN TO 8 GAMES
BERKHAMSTED 4 HILLINGDON BOROUGH 2
Berko notched their eighth consecutive win to remain fourth in the Premier division with Josh Chamberlain hitting at hat trick, in front of a low crowd caused by the clash with England’s televised World Cup match. With Jordon Frederick and Connor Calcutt picking up knocks in Saturday’s win Mick Vipond recalled James Bent and Bekim Culaj to the starting line-up.
It took a time for the game to move into gear but Berko had a spell of three consecutive corners as they applied the pressure at the railway end. Luke Dennison produced a fine save to keep out an Ed Canham header from a Chamberlain corner. He tipped Jowle’s next one over the bar. Chamberlain opened the scoring when a thoughtful pass from Bent sent him clear and he rounded the keeper before firing home with his right foot. Lewis Rodrigoe picked up a first half booking and the visitors got one when two of their own players went for the ball and collided, whilst the Berko player got out of the way of the sandwich. The home crowd were getting restless with the lack of advantage when their team were fouled but retained the ball.
In the second half Kieron Gladwell equalised with a shot that took a deflection to leave Carl Tasker stranded. However, Berko soon regained the lead via a well taken James Bent penalty when Borough were penalised for handball as a defender put his hand up, to prevent the ball hitting him in the face. Chamberlain extended Berko’s lead to 4-1 with two goals in quick succession. There was a marvellous passing move down the right wing that he finished off by cutting in and shooting and the other was a tap in after unselfish play by Bent who laid on the hat trick chance.
Borough did not give up and pulled one back when another deflected shot went in, this time via Canham. Substitute James Towell rattled the cross bar when he lobbed over Dennison but there were no more goals although Berko had some reasonable chances. Near the end smoke descended onto the pitch and Dennison got red mist even coming to the touch line as Towell and Morrsisey were hurdling their way through some rash challenges in a move all the way up the left wing after Berko won a block tackle at the other end.
Berko: Tasker; Gavin, Copson, Rodrigoe, Canham, Hawes,Jowle, Griggs, Bent(Morrissey) , Culaj(Towell), Chamberlain. Substitutes not used Bevan & Stafford.
Berko could be at full strength for Saturday’s trip to Daventry Town in the FA Cup as Calcutt, & Frederick should be over their knocks and Dale Sears is available again. If a replay is needed it will be at Broadwater on Tuesday night, otherwise Berko will get back to league action that night at Oxhey Jets with a 7:30pm kick off.
Berko entertain Tring Athletic’s reserves in the Suburban League on Saturday and go to Ashford Town on Wednesday 18th in the first leg of the league cup. The under 18s are at home to Chesham United on Wednesday 18th.
EXTRA TIME VASE PROGRESS FOR BERKO
BERKHAMSTED 3 HERTFORD TOWN 2 AET
Those that chose Broadwater as their destination for Non League Day witnessed a close tie that was only resolved deep in extra time when Berko finally got the goals to extend their run to seven consecutive wins. Berko’s best crowd of the season to date had to wait for the goals as there were none in the first half, despite plenty of effort in this FA Carlsberg Vase tie.
Connor Calcutt was leading the line well for Berko whilst skipper Anthony Anstead looked the man most likely for the visitors, when he was not engaged assisting the referee. Ed Canham was a threat when he came up for corner kicks at the railway end. Near the interval Carl Tasker produced his best save to keep out a free kick from Mark Summers.
Josh Chamberlain got the ball at the back post but shot wide for the Comrades. Anstead hit the post when he spotted Tasker off his line. Berko got their noses in front on the hour mark when Frankie Jowle broke and squared the ball for Calcutt to continue his purple patch of goalscoring form, by sweeping the ball home. Anstead got a yellow card for pushing over Lewis Rodrigoe. The equaliser came when a Jamie Gavin deflection left Tasker stranded and the ball looped in at the back post.
At the other end a probing Lewis Rodrigoe free kick was met by Jamie Gavin whose header was just over the bar. The game went into extra time as there was little to separate the sides. Centre half Tommy Wade came up from defence and put the visitors in front as the first half of extra time was nearing its conclusion. Mick Vipond responded by introducing fresh legs in Ashley Morrissey and Bekim Culaj for their first appearances of the season and gambled on a more attacking formation. Skipper Dan Griggs swept home the equaliser with just five minutes left to go at the canal end. He put the ball in the net again only to be denied by an offside flag. Culaj put a shot wide as Berko pressed to avoid a replay and went all out for the winner. That man Calcutt netted his ninth goal in the last four games when his shot beat Harry Ricketts from a fine pass from the right wing by the speedy breaking Culaj. There was only two minutes left for Hertford to try and respond but they could not, so Berko will be at home to Buckingham Town on Saturday 21st September in the next round.
Berko: Tasker; Gavin, Copson, Rodrigoe, Canham, Hawes(Culaj), Jowle, Griggs, Calcutt, Frederick(Morrissey) , Chamberlain (Towell). Substitutes not used Calverley & Thompson.
Next up for Berko is a home league game with Hillingdon Borough on Tuesday 10th when they will look to consolidate their 4th spot in the Premier division. James Bent should be available to return. Attention will thenmove to Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Daventry Town, who have a 100% league record in the Calor League Central. Adam Mead and Dale Sears will be available again for that tie. If a replay is needed it will be at Broadwater on Tuesday 17th replacing the league trip to Oxhey Jets. Supporters are welcome on the team coach which departs Broadwater at 11:15am on Saturday. The cost for will be £10.
For those not going to Daventry there is a Suburban Leageu match at Broadwater with Berko entertaining Tring Athletic reserves ko3pm.
On Thursday night Berkhamted under 18s won 5-1 at home to Hillingdon. Kai Lewis opened the scoring in the 7th minute and Jay Caines doubled the lead after 18 minutes. Home goalkeeper, Liam Pereira got a yellow card when he conceded a penalty which Hillingdon scored to make it 2-1 at half time. Berko were on top throughout the game and it was no surprise when Caines got a third and substitute Brad Turner bagged a brace at the canal end. On Wednesday 11th our under 18s have their third home game on the trot, when they entertain the early division leaders Colney Heath.
BERKO BACK UP TO 4TH
BERKHAMSTED 3 LONDON TIGERS 0
Berko notched their sixth consecutive win on Tuesday night against a battling Tigers side. They made the perfect start by taking the lead in the 4th minute when a Josh Cghamberlain corner was headed on by Ed Canham and Connor Calcutt was on hand to poke the ball in from close range to open the scoring. Overlapping full back Dan Griggs was dribbling past several men when he was tripped for a penalty. Visiting goalkeeper Jamie Adim tried to delay the kick and put his hand in the face of Chamberlain who was waiting to take the penalty kick. Adim got sent off, but luckily for Tigers they had named a goalkeeper as substitute and Arlys Pampolim came on and saved Chamberlain’s spot kick.
A low shot from the recalled Adam Mead that slipped by the post was one of the few clear cut chances as the 10 men did well to hold on to the interval. Yousef Slterefi had a chance to equalise when he was left clear after Griggs miscued a ball on its way down from the sky, but Carl Tasker made a great save.
Micky Vipond decided to freshen things up bringing on Frankie Jowle who was back from suspension and James Towell and then gave a debut to James Bent the former Leighton and Hemel player.Jowle was soon in action on the end of a Towell cross. The long overdue second goal came when Calcutt was played in by a fine through ball and he ran on to net his 7th goal in 8 days with quarter of an hour remaining. Towell was denied by a save after good work by Calcutt created the chance. Jowle went down in the penalty area but the referee waved play on. However, Jowle created the third goal with a very inviting cross that Bent headed home powerfully to claim a goal on his debut.
The win moved Berko back up to 4th in the Premier division, with a game in hand on each of the top three teams.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Copson, Rodrigoe, Canham, Sears(Bent), Hawes, Frederick , Calcutt, Mead (Towell), Chamberlain(Jowle). Substitutes not used, Gavin & Thompson.
On Saturday, internationals mean no Premier League games so it is Non-League Day and Berko are hoping it will boost the crowd for their home FA Vase tie with Hertford Town. The old Berkhamsted Town club once reached the final at Villa Park of this prestigious national competition that is sponsored by Carlsberg. Everyone should be available to Mick Vipond for this important game. On Tuesday 10th Berko are at home to Hillingdon Borough in a Premier division game (assuming no FA Vase replays-which is reasonable as extra time is played on Saturday).
Berkhamsted Football Club 