Christie inspires Comrades to thumping Dacorum derby win

BJ Christie, right, was on fire for Berkhamsted

Berko scored three times in the first half to set the foundations for the win; BJ Christie got the first two goals and created the third.

In the 13th minute he put a low shot under Kieran Jimmy after a long clearance from Ben Barnes who was recalled to the Berko goal.

Jimmy denied Dylan Gittings well when he was next to get through on goal, before a neat pass let Christie get behind the defence to shoot home the second goal in the 37th minute.

Christie was proving too hot to handle and before the interval he laid a goal on a plate for Adiel Mannion to score against his old club with a tap in.

He nearly scored again before the interval but Jimmy tipped his shot over the bar.

At half-time Steve Hawes had to leave to visit his wife in hospital after a car crash and Che To came on in midfield.

Berko eased off a bit, but Mannion had a goal disallowed for offside, while Christie beat the offside trap and his shot was deflected wide.

At the other end Barnes pulled off one fine save, and some lenient refereeing allowed the game to be completed at 11-a-side despite a couple of flare-ups.

One was immediately after Green got a consolation goal through Ryan Upton, who shot past Barnes, with the latter booked in the aftermath along with Luke Warner-Ely.

Berko soon restored their three-goal advantage when Jimmy got caught in possession and was robbed by Mannion who had the simple task of scoring his second of the night.

The Comrades will be at home on February 3 in the quarter-finals of the competition to either Hadley or Sun Postal Sports who play tonight.

Berko’s U18s also won on Tuesday as they triumphed 2-1 at Newport Pagnell Town in the Corinthian Division.

On Saturday, Berko entertain Kings Langley in the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Mick Vipond hopes to have several defenders fit again, with James Baldry and Kyle Lincoln possibly fit to return, while a new forward may be signed in time to play.

Berko entertain London Colney in the Herts Senior Cup on Tuesday, November 4 – assuming they do not have a Vase replay at Kings Langley.