Berkhamsted Football Club
The ComradesBERKO STAY 100% AT HOME
BERKHAMSTED 4 LONDON COLNEY 0
Third placed Berko kept their 100% home record and closed the gap on the leaders with another win on Saturday.
Berko were unchanged for a fourth consecutive game but almost suffered an early shock when London Colney got the ball in the net but the offside flag was up so it did not count. At the railway end Frankie Jowle shot wide whilst at the canal end Martin Collins broke through but shot over. Lewis Roadrigoe overlapped on the left wing and beat three men and crossed but Jowle’s header went over.
A foul in the build up led to another disallowed London Coney goal from James Hill. Ed Canham headed into the top corner to give the home side the lead midway through the first half. The lead was doubled when goalkeeper Charlie May was caught in possession and leading scorer Connor Calcutt took full advantage before the interval.
In the second half a Greg Shaw free kick struck the post and Berko scrambled the ball away. It took some determined defending at times for the Comnrades to hang on to their clean sheet. Steve Hawes surged forward and shot wide at the canal end. Berko’s third goal was the pick of the day with Jowle sending an inviting cross from the right wing to the back post where Jordon Frederick arrived to net with a diving header. With the game won Micky Vipond brought on James Towell and Ashley Morrissey to keep the pressure up. Steve Hawes broke clear and rounded the keeper only to be foiled by defenders getting back to clear. Late int eh game Calcutt netted the fourth goal as he went round May again.
The final score was convincing but London Colney hit the metalwork a few times. News came through that leaders Ampthill had dropped two points at Stotfold, so Berko are now 10 points behind with four games in hand.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Rodrigoe Sears, Canham, Hawes,Jowle(Towell), Gavin,Calcutt Frederick (Butler), Chamberlain (Morrissey).
Berko’s reserve side went down 3-2 At Harefield United on Saturday.
On Wednesday 13th Berko go to Hemel’s Vauxhall Road ground to take on bottom team London Lions knowing a win would cut Ampthill’s lead to 7 points and catch up second placed Hanwell Town.
On Saturday Berko are in the FA Carlsberg Vase at Hullbridge Sports. On Tuesday 19th they are at home to Hemel Hempstead Rovers in the St Marys Cup quarter final or will entertain Hullbridge Sports if there is an FA Vase replay.
Berko’s reserves play the first leg of their Suburban Cup tie with Farnham Town at Broadwater on Saturday. The under 18’s are at home to Kings Langley on Thursday 14th.
Berkhamsted 4 AFC Dunstable 1
For those supporters who missed the game due to fireworks night festivities etc, here is a video of the match (as supplied via youtube by Dave Mason).
BERKO THROUGH TO QUARTER FINALS
BERKHAMSTED 4 AFC DUNSTABLE 1
Berko marched into the quarter finals of the Premier Division Cup with a comfortable win over a depleted AFC Dunstable side on Guy Fawkes Night. Mick Vipond named an unchanged team for the third successive game.
Josh Chamberlain was denied an early penalty claim when he was floored in the box. Frankie Jowle squeezed a shot across the face of the goal and a Connor Calcutt free kick almost went in. Eventually Chamberlain gave Berko the lead with a well struck shot that went in the left of the net. Jordon Frederick bent a shot round the wall and past the busy Ryan Darby to double the lead before the interval. The home team were playing some fine football passing the ball well and had many chances.
The visitors had a couple of men booked for fouls and a Chamberlain shot and a Frederick header went over the bar. An Ed Canham header from a corner was deflected in by Jowle to make it 3-0 at the railway end. AFC tried to get back in the match and had a headed goal disallowed for offside. Half time substitute Carl Ibbottson capitalised on a weak back pass to pull a goal back. A fine low shot from Connor Calcutt added the fourth goal late in the game.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Rodrigoe Sears, Canham, Hawes,Jowle(Towell), , Gavin,Calcutt Frederick (Bent), Jowle, Chamberlain (Morrissey), Substitutes not used Copson & Butler.
Third placed Berko’s first team will be trying to do the double at Broadwater over London Colney on Saturday in a game sponsored by The Plough-Potten End. They then make the short trip to Hemel Hempstead’s Vauxhall Road ground to play another league games against London Lions on Wednesday 13th.
The reserve team have a Suburban League North match at Harefield United on Saturday.
BIG AWAY WIN TAKES BERKO CLOSER TO THE LEADERS
STOTFOLD 0 BERKHAMSTED 4
Third placed Berko followed up their 9 goal midweek haul with another convincing Premier division victory at Stotfold on Saturday. Not surprisingly manager Micky Vipond named an unchanged side. Being full of confidence they played some good football particularly in the first half when they established a three goal lead. Top scorer Connor Calcutt set the ball rolling netting the first, after some unselfish play on the right by Frankie Jowle who passed when he could have shot. Soon after an incisive pass from Steve Hawes freed Jordon Frederick who netted with a right foot volley. Jowle made it three nil at the interval.
Ben Butler came on at half time and Frederick scored again shooting under the keeper from the left hand side of the area early in the second half. With Griggs overlapping on the right with Jowle and Josh Chamberlain supplying crosses from the left, it took some inspired goalkeeping to prevent further goals. A gale force wind got up to make things more tricky. Berko’s only worries were fitness with Lewis Rodrigoe coming off injured and Calcutt being sick, so Jack Copson and James Towell came on in the second half.
Ampthill were not playing so Berko and Hanwell both won and moved three points closer to the league leaders and still have plenty games in hand.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Rodrigoe (Copson), Sears, Canham, Hawes (Butler),Jowle, Gavin,Calcutt (Towell), Frederick, Jowle, Chamberlain, Substitutes not used & Bent & Morrissey.
Berko’s development squad continued their recent run of good results with a home win over Newport Pagnell Town. Their 2nd league win in a row, which has seen a return of 7 goals scored and 0 goals conceded, has seen them move out of the re-election zone and overtake three teams.
A superb first half performance saw set the foundation for the win. Kieron Turner opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he met a Scott Macpherson cross and played a one-two with the post before netting. Stefan Owen-Edwards doubled the lead with a shot that the visiting keeper got a hand to but could not prevent going in. Macpherson hit the third goal before the interval with a shot from an acute angle.
With the good work continuing in the second half, Berko can count themselves unlucky not to have scored more goals, as good chances for, Stefan, Mitchell Cole, ben Humphreys, and nick ward were all not converted. Berko had to play the last 18 minutes with 10 men, as Turner came off with an injury after all the substitutes were used.
Berko’s under 18 side fought back from 2-0 down at the interval with goals from Connor Church and George Carberry to earn a draw at the league leaders Chesham United.
FIXTURES
Berko’s first team have three games in eight days. On Tuesday 5th they entertain AFC Dunstable in the Premier division Cup and then on Saturday will be trying to do the double at Broadwater over London Colney. They make the short trip to Hemel Hempstead’s Vauxhall Road ground to play another league games against London Lions on Wednesday 13th.
The reserve team have a league match at Harefield United on Saturday.
BERKO GO THIRD WITH CANHAM HEADING 4 OF THEIR 9 GOALS
BERKHAMSTED 9 HATFIELD TOWN 1
Berko’s big win over Hatfield on Tuesday night moved them into the top three in the Premier division. Centre half Ed Canham takes the headlines with four headed goals.
Berko could have been forgiven for thinking in the first few minutes that it was not to be their night. First a shot from Connor Calcutt came back off the underside of the bar from a Frankie Jowle cross and then Hatfield broke to take an early lead. However they forced some corners and the pattern for the night was set when a Josh Chamberlain corner found Canham who headed the equaliser.Calcutt then carved out a chance for Chamberlain who put the home side in front with a well placed shot midway through the first half. Moments later a superb ball from Chamberlain switched play to the right wing and Jowle’s cross was converted by Calcutt.
Berko scored three more goals at the railway end. The Chamberlain corner and Canham header combination made it 4-1. Chamberlain tapped in a Calcutt[S1] cross for the fifth goal. A long ball from keeper Carl Tasker bounced up and Calcutt and Canham went up for the header and Canham claimed his hat trick by looping the ball over the keeper to make it 6-1 at half time.
Mick Vipond took the opportunity to introduced Ben Butler at half time with Jamie Gavin injured and brought on James Bent. A low shot from Jordon Frederick made it 7-1. Canham scored his personal fourth of the night and the team’s 8th goal with yet another header. Another Chamberlain corner was headed home by skipper Dale Sears to complete the rout.
The only question was would Berko reach double figures. The post foiled one substitute Ashley Morrissey and the ball ran across the front of the goal from the rebound. Bent had a goal disallowed for off side so Berko had to settle for their biggest win since getting in the Premier division.
The goals were enough to move Berko above AFC Dunstable on goal difference after they drew at London Colney and enabled them to overtake Colney Heath. It equalled the club record of seven wins in a calendar month.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Rodrigoe, Sears, Canham, Hawes (Morrissey), Jowle, Gavin (Butler),, ,Calcutt (Bent), Frederick, (Jowle), Chamberlain, Substitutes not used Towell & Copson.
On Saturday Berko have another Premier division game at Stotfold and on Tuesday 5th November Berko entertain AFC Dunstable in the Premier Division Cup. Hullbridge Sports will be Berko’s destination for the FA Vase on Saturday 16th after they won their replay with Swaffham Town 4-3 after extra time on Tuesday night.
Berko’s reserve side are at home to Newport Pagnell Town on Saturday. The under 18s go to Chesham United on Thursday 31st.
[S1]Ross for the fifth
BERKO NOTCH LEAGUE DOUBLE
HODDESDON TOWN 2 BERKHAMSTED 4
Berko came out on top on Saturday in a clash of the 5th and 6th placed teams and the victory opened up a six point gap for Berko over Hoddesdon. Lewis Rodrigoe was fit to return for Berko and Dale Sears also dropped into the defence. The Comrades got off to a great start taking the lead with an early goal from Josh Chamberlain from a cross by Connor Calcutt. At the other end a Ben Andreos free kick rose over the cross bar. Carl Tasker saved low at his post and kept out a tricky Jamie Brandon cross.
The wet pitch was proving tricky and led to some defensive slips. Andreos equalised with a low shot after one such error. However, within seven minutes Berko got their noses back in front again when a poor clearance only found James Towell 20 yards out and he took full advantage firing in a low shot.
Home keeper Jayden Purdue mistimed a punch under an aerial challenge from Calcutt but the referee did not give the penalty, when he connected with the forward instead of the ball. Purdue then saved a Jamie Gavin header from a Chamberlain cross. Last gasp defending rescued Town when a Griggs cross was headed behind by a defender who nearly scored an own goal under pressure from Towell.
Ed Canham came up in the second half and went close with a pair of headers as Berko might have built on their lead. However, Adam Bolle equalised with a deftly placed header when he connected with a cross from the right wing. Fortunately Andreos fell over by the goal post after he had rounded Tasker so the chance to take the lead was lost.
Chamberlain created a chance for Jordon Frederick and the keeper was booked for bringinghim down as he went to the right of the penalty area. Leading scorer Calcutt sent the keeper comprehensively the wring way to net a perfect penalty and put Berko 3-2 up.
Tasker stillhad the odd save to make and Brandon headed wide before Berko made sure of the points through Jamie Gavin. He was determined to keep his scoring run going and when a couple of shots were blocked on the line he eventually shot home the fourth goal. Mick Vipond brought on Frankie Jowle and Ben Butler who nearly scored just losing the ball after rounding the keeper. Purdue produced the save of the day to keep out a pilederiver from Chamberlain.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Rodrigoe, Sears, Canham, Hawes, Frederick(Butler),, Gavin ,Calcutt, Towell (Jowle), Chamberlain, Substitutes not used Morrissey, Bent, & Copson.
Berko’s reserve side got off the bottom of the Suburban League table with a comprehensive 4-0 win at home to Leighton Town. Alfie Osborne, James Shaw, Stefan Owen-Edwards and Kieron Turner all scored for the home side. At that point the visitors lost their cool and had three men sent off in one incident but strangely Berko did not increase their lead.
Goals from Connor Church and Jay Caines gave Berko’s under 18 side a 2-1 midweek win at Hillingdon.
Bekim Culaj could be back for Berko’s home game with Hatfield Town on Tuesday 29th, which would see Berko move into the top four if they can win. On Saturday they have another Premier division game at Stotfold and on Tuesday 5th November Berko entertain AFC Dunstable in the Premier Division Cup.
BERKO MAINTAIN 100% HOME RECORD
BERKHAMSTED 5 LEVERSTOCK GREEN 0
Berko got three points from their local derby with bottom club Leverstock Green in torrential rain at Broadwater on Tuesday night. It took them nearly half an hour to break down the new look Green side but when a header came back off the metalwork Connor Calcutt pounced to fire home his 16th goal of the season from close range. Ashley Morrissey ran up the left wing and dispatched a low shot under Dan Buchtopp to double the lead before the interval.
In the second half Berko used their substitututes and one fo them James Towell laid on a tap in for Dale Sears to make it 3-0. Jamie Gavin headed his 6th of the season from a good cross to make it 4-0. Green were reduced to 10 men when Mark Cambell was sent off for a second yellow card.
The scoring was completed when Calcutt robbed a defender on the right wing and squared for Towell to ram home the fifth goal. Witrh all Berko’s rivals also winning it leaves them in 5th spot in the league table.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Chamberlain, Hawes, Canham, Gavin(Butler), Culaj(Towell), , Sears,Calcutt, Bent (Frederick),Morrissey Substitutes not used Jowle& Copson.
On Saturday Berko go to Hoddesdon Town and on Tuesday 29th are at home to Hatfield Town. Berko have an incredible 6 games in hand on the league leaders Ampthill Town, but need to win them all to catch the Bedfordshire side up. On Tuesday 29th Berko area back at Broadwater, entertaining Hatfield Town, looking for another three points as they use up a game in hand.
Berko’s reserves are at home to Leighton Town on Saturday ko3pm. The under 18s go to Chesham United on Thursday 31st October.
AWAY VASE DRAW FOR BERKO
Berko have been drawn away to Swaffham Town or Hullbridge Sports in the FA Vase on Saturday 16 November. The two sides replay on Tuesday after drawing 2-2 at Swffham on Saturday after extra time. Hullbridge are mid-table in the Essex Senior League (which is the same step of the pyramid as Berkhamsted are at) and Swaffham are from a step below, but near the top of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League division 1. The eventual winners will be in the last 64 of this national competition. Berko expect to run a coach to this tie.
BERKO WIN ON FA VASE TRAIL
BALDOCK TOWN 1 BERKHAMSTED 4
Berko notched their third FA Carlsberg Vase win of the season to put them in Monday’s draw for the last 128 of this national competition, by comfortably beating a physical Baldock side from the division below on Saturday, in front of Berko’s biggest away crowd of the season at Hitchin.
The pattern for the game was set early on with Connor Calcutt having an early goal disallowed for offside-a feat he was to repeat later in the half. Adiel Mannion dribbled round three men but went down with a crack and was stretchered off to hospital with a broken ankle. Bekim Culaj came on to replace him in an action packed opening 10 minutes.
Versatile Jamie Gavin is scoring more often this season and he was in centre midfield for the suspended Steve Hawes and popped up to give Berko their opening two goals. His first was a very clean strike from 20 yards into the top corner to give home keeper Nicky Stilwell no chance after the home defence failed to clear their lines. His second was another shot after Culaj picked him out with a good cross from the left wing.
Baldock threatened rarely in the first half with Lee Harman narrowly missing the target when Ed Canham conceded a free kick just outside the penalty arc. Berko went three goals up when a Josh Chamberlain cross was headed on by Calcutt and Frankie Jowle swept the ball home for his overdue first goal of the season. Slack marking enabled Harman to pull one back from close range in injury time, just before the interval.
It gave Baldock heart and they came out for the second half on the attack. However, the Berko defence held firm and the midfield soon restored the lion’s share of the possession and only careless finishing prevented it turning into a rout. James Towell came on for Josh Chamberlain, who was another ankle victim. The referee finally had enough of Baldock’s physical game and a second yellow card reduced them to 10 men. James Bent also came off the bench and finished clinically to make it 4-1 with quarter of an hour remaining by polishing a off a fine move down the left involving Towell, Culaj and Calcutt.
Berko: Tasker; Griggs, Chamberlain (Towell), Rodrigoe, Canham, Gavin, Jowle, Sears,Calcutt, Mannion(Culaj) ,Morrissey (Bent). Substitute not used Frederick.
Berko’s reserve side went out of the Herts Intermediate Cup on Saturday. They were 1-0 down to Hadley reserves at half time but ended up losing 5-0.
Berko’s under 18 side had a George Carberry goal from a first half free kick to thank for an excellent 1-0 win at Leverstock Green in the Olympian division. Quite an achievement, as they played all but the first few minutes of the game with 10 men after Denzil Addo was sent off for a last man professional foul.
On Tuesday night Berko should have Steve Hawes back after suspension for the local derby at home to Leverstock Green. After all the cup excitement it is the first of three important Premier division league games in 8 days for the Comrades. On Saturday Berko go to Hoddesdon Town and on Tuesday 29th are at home to Hatfield Town. Berko have an incredible 6 games in hand on the league leaders Ampthill Town, but need to win them all to catch the Bedfordshire side up.
Berkhamsted Football Club 