Berko make it three on the spin with victory over City

The Comrades have been looking for some consistency of late after a tough February which saw them collect only one win in the league and only two victories in all competitive matches.

Things started brightly for the hosts with Adiel Mannion using his pace to burst past the Welwyn defence only for his shot to hit Carl Mensah and drift out for a corner.

Not long afterwards, Jude Eboji tried to beat Joe Croft with an audacious lob; the goalkeeper needing no small amount of improvisation to direct the effort wide.

The Citizens were not without chances of their own, but a well-drilled Berkhamsted backline restricted the visitors to shots from distance; Joe Price seeing his long range effort fly over the bar.

After 22 minutes the Comrades were in front thanks to a headed goal from Max Farrelly. Welwyn goalkeeper Croft clumsily brought down the onrushing Mannion, giving away a free-kick in a dangerous position. Adam Mead whipped in the cross and Farrelly nodded the ball past the stranded Croft.

The home side built on the momentum of the first goal and went 2-0 up 12 minutes later as Mannion capped an industrious first half performance with a goal.

Josh Chamberlain showed excellent skill to beat his man, and his delightful square ball was missed completely by the Eboji who had his blushes saved when Mannion arrived to finish at the far post.

After the break the visitors came out with renewed vigour and really took the game to Berkhamsted.

The away side moved the ball with increased urgency and intelligence, with Berko finding it difficult to find their rhythm; their cup heroics from midweek no doubt catching up with them.

Despite this renewed sense of purpose, Welwyn did little to trouble Carl Tasker in the Berkhamsted goal. Josh Bronti went close with a shot that flew over the bar and Kersey saw an effort well saved.

The best chance of the half went to the home team when Baldry’s header went close after he rose highest to meet a Frankie Jowle free-kick and Mead’s follow up shot flashed just over the bar.

That proved to be the high point as Berkhamsted held out to claim their first league win in just over a month.

Berko: Tasker, Edwards, Carter, Baldry, Weeks, Farrelly (Carbery), Chamberlain, (Jowle), Mead, Eboji (O’Donovan), Mannion, Jackson.

Elsewhere, Berko’s reserve side looked to be on track for their first Suburban North win of the season thanks to a Caleb Bolton goal giving them a 1-0 interval lead at Biggleswade United on Saturday.

However, Ben Gomm got a second yellow card with half an hour to go and the 10 men conceded an equaliser.

On Saturday Berko go to Wembley in a clash of two of the Spartan South Midlands League’s top six.

Lewis Rodrigoe can return having completed his suspension, but the injury list currently includes Alex Campana, Steve Hawes and Aaron Nash-Barker.

The reserves have a local derby, entertaining Tring Athletic on Saturday k/o 3pm.