WEMBLEY 1 BERKHAMSTED 3

The game was decided in the first half when the Comrades netted three goals.

Matt Bateman and Sean Coughlan went close but it was Ashton Campbell who opened the scoring with a 12th minute shot past Mierzwa in the Wembley goal. He was a busy man keeping out shots from Bateman, skipper Jon Munday and Morrissey. At the other end Hensham Benmansour put a good chance high over the bar. Carl Tasker had little to do but saved from Zaied Sabti.

Berko played a pressing game and their hunger for the ball showed in the next two goals. Coughlan and Morrissey won the ball out on the by-line and Morrissey cut in and placed his shot home from a narrow angle to double the lead. From the same side of the pitch Coughlan robbed Wembley for the ball and found Bateman who laid the ball back for Dan Jones to finish with a neat shot that gave the keeper no chance. Jones had got through a lot of work in midfield in the first half and thoroughly deserved his goal.

In the second half, an Alex Campana corner was flicked on by Coughlan to Garry Jones who headed over. Wembley tried hard to get back in the game with Toby Webb hitting the side netting and Benmansour heading over. Richard Brown did well to kick off the line from Coughlan. Wembley finished well for a consolation goal with 20 minutes left to play.

Stacey Field was Berko’s top scorer when he got injured at Tring 3 months ago. He made a welcome return after the long lay-off, coming off the bench and had two chances in the closing stages. Another substitute Josh Chamberlain went through three challenges and nearly scored.

There was no change at the top with all of the top four sides managing wins.

Berko: Tasker; Cox, Coughlan (Chamberlain), Hawes, Munday, G. Jones, Campbell, D. Jones, M.Bateman (Field), Campana, Morrissey (Subs not used - Plowright, Mannion, & Stevens).

Top 6 P W D L GD PTS
1 Berkhamsted 31 22 7 2 53 73
2 Welwyn Garden City 26 23 2 1 54 71
3 Leighton Town 27 18 6 3 26 60
4 Harpenden Town 28 18 4 6 20 58
5 Biggleswade FC 26 15 5 6 29 50
6 Leverstock Green 30 15 4 11 7 49

Max Farrelly and Adam Mead should be available for the trip to Welwyn Garden City in Wednesday night’s clash of the top two. A few players have had knocks in the last two games so there will be some fitness tests before the squad can be finalised. The Comrades have a free afternoon on Saturday but entertain Biggleswade United on Tuesday 27th March.

Berko’s development side had a good week and are still unbeaten this year. On Thursday night they won 2-0 at Risborough Rangers with goals from Elliott Amadeiou and Danny Watkiss. The followed it up with a 1-1 draw at home to second placed Hoddesdon Town on Saturday.

On Saturday the development team are at home again to Holmer Green ko 3pm. The under 18s entertain Finchley West on Sunday ko 11am.