Five-star Berkhamsted cruise past Hertford Town

Berkhamsted moved up to fifth place in the SSML Premier Division with their best away league win of the season on Tuesday night as they thrashed Hertford Town 5-2.
Frankie Jowle made an impact from the bench for Berkhamsted. Picture (c) Richard SolkFrankie Jowle made an impact from the bench for Berkhamsted. Picture (c) Richard Solk
Frankie Jowle made an impact from the bench for Berkhamsted. Picture (c) Richard Solk

The goals flowed in the first half, with Berko racing into a two-goal lead within the first quarter of an hour.

Alex Campana netted the first after dribbling into the penalty area and shooting home, before top scorer Bradley O’Donovan added a second after Berko had hit the post.

Hertford soon reduced the deficit, though, as ex-Comrade Tyler Hatherley converted a cross after losing his man to begin a fight-back.

Not long afterwards, Berko lost the ball and a flowing move was finished by James Ewington to level the scores.

Within a minute, however, Berko had restored their lead with another Josh Chamberlain special as he beat home keeper Harry Ricketts with a tremendous 30-yard shot.

Chamberlain scored again before half-time with a header after a surging run and cross from overlapping full-back Dan Edwards, who is back to his best after injury.

Hertford put in a number of dangerous crosses in the second half, while at the other end Jordon Frederick was causing problems with his movement and some neat one-twos, but the final shots were charged down.

Carl Tasker pulled off a good save from Hatherley, before Frankie Jowle came on and bent a shot just past the post for Berko.

The Comrades finally added a fifth when Jowle won possession and played a defence-splitting pass to fellow sub Adiel Mannion who raced clear and finished Town off.

There could have been many more goals in the second half, particularly for Berko, as Campana dribbled through several times but could not get his shots on target having carved out excellent chances.

It was Berko’s first away league win in three months and marks the mid-point of their league season. They now sit in fifth spot with games in hand on those above them, thanks to the FA Vase run.

Berko; 1 Tasker, 2 Edwards, 3 Weeks, 4 Baldry, 5 Gray, (15 Frederick), 6 Rodrigoe, 7 Carter, 8 Hawes (17 Mannion), 9 O’Donovan, 10 Campana, 11 Chamberlain (14 Jowle). Subs not used: 12 Canham & 16 Gilbert.

Berkhamsted are at home on Saturday against whoever wins tonight’s FA Vase tie between Morpeth Town and holders North Shields.

If that is not resolved they will have a league game at home to Oxhey Jets. The kick-off is 3pm at Broadwater either way.