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Comrades kick off in style
Micky Vipond was as shocked as anybody at Berkhamsted being top of the league after their first game.
The Comrades crushed fellow promotion winners Wodson Park 7-2 in their first game in MSSML Division One on Saturday, to send them to the league summit.
The Berko boss was delighted but was keeping his feet on the ground with a long season still to come.
"If you ask me in nine months time and we are still here I'll be pleased," joked the former Leverstock Green gaffer.
"I'm not reading too much into it, but I didn't envisage us starting like that, scoring so many goals against that sort of side."
Berko beat Wodson Park 7-1 in the league last term, but then were hammered in the cup 5-0 by the side from Ware.
Tony Burnett, who was the Comrades' second-top scorer last season, got off the men in yellow and blue off to a flyer as he got three goals on Saturday, two of which came from the penalty spot.
The first, which came after 15 minutes, was swiftly cancelled out by a Colin Wilson own goal.
But then the pacey and persistent debutant Aaron Usmani earned his spurs as he followed up on his own shot to restore the lead.
Another push in the box gave Burnett the chance to double his tally early in the second half, which he gladly did.
The teenager claimed his hat-trick goal on the hour, picking up a ball from James Armstrong and tricking his way through before firing home.
Provider turned goalscorer as Armstrong volleyed past Craig Walker, before Louis Rose headed in Adam Mead's corner for 6-1.
Armstrong set-up Usmani for number seven, the former Aston Clinton man sweeping the ball home at the far post.
Park's Steve Horsey's strike made sure there was no repeat of last season's 7-1 scoreline as he fired home a consolation late on.
"I'm disappointed we conceded that second goal," added Vipond.
"On another day that could be the difference between us getting three points, and not."
Berko entertain New Bradwell St Peter on Saturday, and go to Sport London e Benfica next Wednesday.
Vipond hopes to have Division Two top goalscorer last season Lawrence Bunker back from injury, as well as Matt Wardle, signed from former club Levy Green.
Elsewhere Kings Langley drew 2-2 with Cranfield United despite going two goals behind. Ryan Thrussell and Sam Warrell got the goals for Paul Hobbs' men.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
