Comrades boss Vipond targets a strong end to the campaign

Berkhamsted manager Mick Vipond is challenging his side to finish the season with a flourish after they stretched their winning run to four matches with victory against Hillingdon Borough on Saturday.
Berkhamsted manager Mick VipondBerkhamsted manager Mick Vipond
Berkhamsted manager Mick Vipond

Berko got the job done with goals from BJ Christie (2) and Steve Hawes, continuing the impressive run of form which has also seen them defeat high-flying Wembley and Sun Sports in recent weeks.

The Comrades have been prone to slip-ups against struggling teams this season, but Vipond was pleased with the attitude of his players against bottom placed Hillingdon.

“There wasn’t really any danger of us losing the game to be honest,” said the Berko boss. “We recently played the teams who are second and third and beat them both, and this was all about treating the game the right way.

“A few weeks back we dropped points against teams who are at the bottom end of the table but we got the goals at the right time on Saturday. The players approached the game well.”

Vipond feels that, after a mid-season blip, the Comrades are starting to show what they can really do.

“The victories against Wembley and Sum Sports don’t surprise me as we’ve got good players in our squad,” he said. “It’s sometimes just a case of confidence, and now our players are starting to show their true potential.

“We just haven’t been consistent enough throughout the season and the defensive side of our game hasn’t been good enough at all - we have conceded too many sloppy goals. The quality is there but we have got to be more consistent.”

There is still plenty for Berko to play for over the remaining weeks of the season, and Vipond says he will accept nothing less that full commitment from his side.

“We want to finish the season positively and we have got a cup final to look forward to in May,” he said. “Let’s finish the campaign strongly and see where we can finish up. If there are games to be won, I always want to win them.

“The players who finish their careers with trophies and medals are the ones who turn up, put their kit bag down and give it their all for 90 minutes, regardless of who they are playing. That’s what the players have to do.”

Next up for Berko is a clash with table topping Kings Langley tomorrow night – a challenge Vipond is relishing.

“We will have to change the way we set up a little bit, but we’ve got a plan in mind and we will see if it works,” said the Comrades manager.

“The players are confident going into the game and I think Kings Langley will have a lot of respect for us as well because we are in good form.

“They have got some very good players and it will be a tough game, but the pressure is on them as they are chasing the title.”