Chamberlain is spot on to maintain Comrades’ flying start

Berkhamsted drew level with a well-worked free-kick. Picture (c) Richard Solk

Mick Vipond made a couple of changes to his side and the defence coped well with the attacking flair of Lee Armitt and Luke Beardsworth.

The two teams were passing the ball well and Jets got the upper hand when Armitt did well to place a low shot past Carl Tasker to put them in front after 34 minutes.

Berko’s best chance fell to Josh Chamberlain but he was not ready for the header and the chance went begging.

The Comrades eventually hit back 10 minutes into the second half when Jets failed to mark Courtney Massay at a free-kick.

They were expecting Chamberlain to shoot when instead he passed to the right of the wall and Massey’s cross was met at the near post by Jamie Gavin, who bundled the ball home just inside the post.

Berko now had their tails up and Chamberlain shot wide after good work by BJ Christie on the left of the penalty area.

Elliott Bailey came on to make his debut after signing from St Albans City and he soon rattled the cross bar with a shot and narrowly headed wide. Ed Canham and Armitt got yellow cards in a brief flare up, but the game was generally played in a good spirit. Christie headed past the post as Berko pressed.

The pressure eventually told and Christie was brought down just inside the penalty area – allowing Chamberlain to step up and give Berko the lead from the penalty spot.

There was nearly another penalty, but play was waved on when Max Farrelly was brought down in a sandwich. Christie went close a couple of times as Berko finished on top.

The win leaves Berko top of the table with a 100 per cent record in the league, and two points clear after three games.

Berko entertain Hoddesdon Town on Saturday in the SSML Premier division. There is then another league trip to London Colney on Tuesday.

In the Suburban League, Leverstock Green visit Berkhamsted on Wednesday, August 27.