Chamberlain strikes to send Berkhamsted level at the top

The result means three teams from the area all have 41 points at the top of the table, with third-placed Berko beating previously top Sun, allowing Kings Langley to move to the summit.

The visitors’ Ross Hampton produced a fine save when he just managed to tip an Ed Canham header over the bar. There were no goals in the first half, but Berko had most of the play. There was a 25 minute delay when Sun’s Simeon Fearon got a suspected broken ankle in a tackle for which Ryan Laville was booked.

An ambulance arrived eventually and he went to hospital for an X-ray. When play resumed Berko took the lead through top scorer Josh Chamberlain. Canham got his head to a dead ball and created the chance for Chamberlain.

Berko might have increased their lead with BJ Christie’s effort going close to the bar. They did not have the rub of the green or may have had a more convincing victory had a penalty been given as a man went down on the left of the penalty area.

Striker Louis Bircham came on for Towell for his debut after signing from Leverstock Green, where he was top scorer.

Home fans were puzzled when he was brought down in the penalty area and again the referee waved play on.

Jordon Frederick had been booked for a foul earlier in the game but with five minutes remaining got a second card and an early shower after urging the referee to let the game flow.

It was the third time this season that Berko have beaten Sun and the two sides will met again twice more in the new year.

Berkhamsted: Tasker, Massey, Baldry, Hawes, Canham, Rodrigoe, Laville, Christie(Gavin), Chamberlain. Frederick, Towell(Bircham). Subs. Not used Mannion ,Foster and Ryan

A free kick and a penalty put paid to Berko’s Suburban League Cup challenge as they went down 2-0 in the second leg at Uxbridge, to lose on aggregate 3-0.

Tonight, Tuesday, Berko travel to to Wembley in another important league match.

Josh Chamberlain misses the game with suspension.

On Saturday, Berko go to Cockfosters and Chamberlain should be back for that game but James Baldry will miss out after picking up too many bookings.

In the Herts Senior Cup Berko will go to Leverstock Green or Warte in the quarter final.

Berko’s reserves will be looking to reach the quarter final of the Herts Intermediate Cup when they go to Hoddesdon Town on Saturday.