Rampant Berkhamsted stun Kings Langley in Herts Senior Cup romp

Berkhamsted caused an upset in the Herts Senior Cup with a convincing 4-1 win over ten-man Kings Langley to set up a home tie with Watford in the next round.
Adiel Mannion, left, and Josh Chamberlain both netted for BerkoAdiel Mannion, left, and Josh Chamberlain both netted for Berko
Adiel Mannion, left, and Josh Chamberlain both netted for Berko

There were recalls for Comrades trio Ed Canham, Frankie Jowle and Jude Eboji for the all-Dacorum clash against the Kings Langley side that won the SSML Premeir Division last season.

It was the visitors who took an early lead with a low shot from Jack Stevens when a free-kick was not cleared by the Berko defence.

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However, the Comrades have been on a good run of late and have been scoring for fun, so they looked to be up for some giant-killing in the rain.

The visitors struggled to clear when the ball was in the penalty area and that allowed Berko to come back and net three similar first half goals.

Adiel Mannion levelled on 20 minutes and Eboji put the Comrades in front just after the half hour mark when a throw-in was not cleared.

Berko keeper Carl Tasker pulled off a crucial save to deny ex-Comrade Connor Toomey an equaliser, before Langley’s Ollie Cox got his marching orders for a second yellow card when he disputed a throw in.

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With five minutes to go until the interval, Steve Hawes took full advantage of Berko’s numerical advantage with a third goal for the hosts.

The 10 men battled bravely in the second half, but Tasker was in excellent form when they threatened with shots.

Josh Chamberlain came on as substitute and rounded off the scoring with a neat low finish after good work by fellow sub George Carbery allowed Jowle to find him with a right wing cross at the back post.

The result was one of the Comardes’ best ever, with an FA Cup win at Uxbridge being their only previous victory over a level 4 team.

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Berko: 1 Tasker, 2 Farrelly, 3 Weeks, 4 Baldry, 5 Canham, 6 Rodrigoe, 7 Jowle, 8 Hawes, 9 Eboji (15 Caines), 10 Mannion (14 Chamberlain), 11 Nash-Barker (12 Carbery). Sub not used: Trevillion.

Elsewhere, Ampthill Town beat Southall 2-0 on Tuesday night and will visit Broadwater in the third round of the Challenge Trophy on a date yet to be set.

After progressing in all of their three remaining cups, third placed Berko have some vital Spartan South Midlands Premier Division games coming up this week.

On Saturday the Comrades are at home to unbeaten league leaders AFC Dunstable, then on Tuesday they go to second placed London Colney for another six-pointer.

Berko’s reserves are at Tring Athletic on Saturday in the Suburban League North.