Berko romp home as Caines does the damage

Cockfosters held out for the opening quarter of the match, but a burst of three goals finished the game by half-time, and the Comrades eventually romped home 5-0.

Cockforsters’ square back four was caught napping by high bouncing balls on a bumpy pitch twice midway through the half as Berko took control of the game.

Caines got between the centre-backs and lobbed home keeper Tom Cura for the opener, before Frankie Jowle did the same for the second when he latched onto a long clearance from Berko goalie Carl Tasker.

Just before the interval, Caines pounced again to convert a chance that was created by Jowle after play was switched by Courtney Massay.

Early in the second half, Steven Sylvester bundled BJ Christie over and Caines stepped up to confidently complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Christie then wrapped up the win, bagging his 37th goal of the season with a back post header from a curling cross from the left by Alex Foster.

The win means Berko finish sixth of 22 teams in the SSML Premier Division – one place below last season.

The Comrades end their season on Monday when they travel to Oxhey Jets to take on Colney Heath in the final of the Premier Division Cup.

Mick Vipond should have James Baldry, Josh Chaberlain and Adiel Mannion back in the squad, but Ashley Morrissey looks set to miss out.