Cup holders Berkhamsted came out on top on a freezing cold night at Theobalds Lane, with a late goal from Sami Bessadi sending them through into a semi-final at the Glencar against Colney Heath (date TBC at the time of writing).

A crowd of 175 braved the weather and were well-entertained, particularly in an end to end first half. The Comrades came out of the traps quickly, with Bustamante and Bateman troubling the home defence, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring on six minutes, Max Bustamante being played in behind the defenders, skillfully rounding the keeper and finishing with his left foot from a tight angle. Captain Bateman then shot across goal after being set up by his strike partner, and just after when Bustamante rattled the cross bar with a long-range strike, it looked like a promising evening for Berko. But Cheshunt quickly hit back with two quick goals of their own – big centre forward Alfie Pendlebury was a handful all night, and scored his first with a six yard box tap in after the home team worked a short corner routine. And shortly afterwards Cheshunt went 2-1 ahead when Adam Martin was caught dwelling on the ball in midfield, and Pendlebury was played in to shoot across Jamie Head and into the bottom corner.

Undeterred, the Comrades fought back, and equalized when Martin’s long throw was flicked on by Dan Newton, the header looping over the keeper and in at the far post. 2-2 at half time, and all to play for. Jeremiah Luwero replaced Raul DaSilva after the break and began to link well with Bessadi down the left, Bustamante switching over to the right-hand side. In truth, the second half was a more cagey affair – Jamie Head made a couple of great reflex saves to keep Cheshunt out after the same short corner routine worked for them again, and Berko had a couple of long range strikes, but it looked as though the game might be heading for another penalty shoot out, bringing back memories of that famous night in the rain against Hitchin. Until Bustamante beat his man one more time, crossing from the right, for Bateman to head powerfully against the cross bar – and it was Bessadi who reacted quickest to the rebound, forcing the ball home from close range to take Berko into the last four. Despite the league travails, this is a cup side who won’t give up easily.

Team: Head; Newton, Williams, Ismael, McClelland, DaSilva, Martin, Frederick, Bateman, Bessadi, Bustamente
Subs: Luwero, Green, Cannon, Stelmach.