In-form Comrades are too strong for lowly Hillingdon Borough

Comrades players rush to celebrate with BJ Christie

Berko manager Mick Vipond made only one change as Ben Barnes was recalled in goal and he had very little to do in the match.

A fine early shot from the edge of the penalty area by top scorer BJ Christie put Berko in the lead and they never looked back.

Ashley Morrsiey tricked his way along the bye-line before his shot was saved by George Upton, while Frankie Jowle looked odds-on to score when he was put clear but Upton saved again.

Soon afterwards, a Che To shot was blocked on the line by a defender but it was ruled to be ball to hand rather than a penalty.

Eventually, after all the Berko attacks, Christie doubled the lead before half-time with a back post volley from a probing free-kick by Lewis Rodrigoe.

The second half began with Borough showing some fight, but the game soon settled back to the same pattern as the first period – and it was just a matter of how many goals the Comrades could score.

Morrissey was beating men at will and, when he was upended in the box, he was given the chance to convert the penalty. However, Upton guessed right and tipped the ball round the post.

Christie broke clear and was denied his hat-trick when he was forced wide by Upton when he rounded the keeper, so he pulled the ball back to Adiel Mannion but his shot was blocked.

Upton then managed a double save to deny Christie again and the follow-up from Jowle, before a stooping header from Jowle at the back post came back off the upright as Berko kept going in the search for more goals.

The third goal did arrive for the Comrades, and it was Steve Hawes who struck to wrap up the three points.

Berko: Barnes, Massay, Rodrigoe, Gavin ,Baldry, Hawes, Jowle, To (Foster), Christie, Morrissey, Mannion (Chamberlain). Subs not used: Tasker & Osborne.

On Tuesday Berko go to Kings Langley, who are 15 points clear top of the table in the Premier Division.

That match ends Ed Canham’s suspension, so he could be back on Saturday when Berko go to Holmer Green – another side in the relegation zone.

Berko are next at home on Tuesday, April 7 when they entertain third placed London Colney at Broadwater.

Berko’s reserve team are top of their division and entertain Harefield United on Saturday in their last Suburban North home game of the season