Classy Comrades cruise past Colney as cup final looms large

Alex Campana was on target for Berkhamsted. Picture (c) Ray Canham

Rob Evans returned in goal and kept a clean sheet for Berko, while four regular starters were on the bench as players were rotated ahead of Wednedsay night’s Challenge Trophy final.

Chinua Phinn-Archer was convinced he should have had a penalty for a challenge by Berko skipper Jim Baldry early in the game, but the officials waved play on.

Colney keeper Ollie Leslie then tipped a thundering drive from Max Farrelly over the bar and, from the resulting corner, Farrelly again went close as his header went inches over the woodwork.

Josh Chamberlain got the third goal for the Comrades. Picture (c) Ray Canham

Teenager George Carbery – enjoying a rare start – fired Berko into a first half lead with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after Jordon Frederick had done well to win the ball and set him up.

In the second half Phinn-Archer stormed up the left wing but Carl Osbourne shot wide to waste the chance, and he did the same again a few minutes later as Heath continued to battle hard.

However, when Berko sent on reinforcements, the visitors were well beaten in the end. Tom Carter hit the foot of the post for the Comrades and the pressure mounted, with the combination of Josh Chamberlain and Alex Campana providing the killer touches.

Before the game Chamberlain got awards for his 250th first team appearance and 100th goal, and he steered a header into the path of Camapana for the ex-Watford striker to coolly slot the ball past Leslie for the second goal.

Josh Chamberlain received awards for his 250th first team appearance and 100th goal. Picture (c) Ray Canham

It was Campana who turned provider and set up Chamberlain for the third goal from close range to wrap up a convincing win.

Berko: Evans, Edwards, Weeks (Chamberlain), Baldry, Canham, Mead, Carbery, Frederick(Nash-Barker) Carter (Rodrigoe), Campana, Farrelly. Subs not used: Jowle and Hawes.

Berko play in the Challenge Trophy Final on Wednesday against Welwyn Garden City, on a neutral ground at Harefield United. Jordon Frederick is cup-tied but otherwise Berko should be at full strength.

On Saturday Berko play Hadley away followed by a trip to Stotfold on Tuesday, April 26, both in the SSML Premier Division. Carl Tasker misses the Stotfold game through suspension.