Comrades crush Hoddesdon to book a quarter-final place

Mick Vipond was able to bring back four players and his team looked too strong for a young Hoddesdon side, most of whose better players have left for better teams since the sides last met.

In the first half Berko had most of the play but their crosses kept going across the goal with nobody applying the finishing touch.

However, Ike Nzurba opened the scoring against the run of play after about half an hour. He got in a shot when several defenders were in attendance in the middle of the penalty area, and it looked like Berko had the numbers to clear it.

Ed Canham had to come off with an injured leg in the move that led to the goal, and Alex Foster came on for his first game of the season and played well at left back.

Berko swapped goalkeepers and knew if they kept playing football the goals would surely come.

A deep cross from Courtney Massay was headed home by Josh Chamberlain who hung in the air to equalise.

Chamberlain then broke the netting with a shot to put Berko in front, while Town appealed in vain for offside.

Richi Robins saved another Chamberlain shot, but Jordon Frederick followed up and made it 3-1.

A defender was robbed to allow Chamberlain to score his hat-trick and put Berko in the quarter-final draw for the first time.

Berko: Barnes (Tasker), Massey, Baldry, Hawes, Canham(Foster), Rodrigoe, Mannion(Towell), Laville, Christie, Frederick, Chamberlain. Subs. Not used Kelly and Ward.

On Saturday Berko have a real six-pointer when they are at home to top of the table Sun Postal Sports in the SSML Premier Division.

Striker Louis Bircham could make his debut after signing from Leverstock Green where he was top scorer, while Vipond is hopeful that Jamie Gavin and Ashley Morrissey may also be fit to boost the squad.

On Tuesday, Berko are away to Wembley in another important league match.

Meanwile, Berko’s reserve team hope to pull back a single goal deficit on Saturday at Uxbridge and win through to an away tie at Leverstock Green.

The Berko U18 side’s next game is at home to AFC Dunstable on Wednesday, December 10.