Berkhamsted 0 Luton Town 9

Report by Grant Hastie

There was a torrential downpour in the hours before before the game but the Broadwater pitch stood up well to allow the match to go ahead.

In the 11th minute a fine jinking run and superb strike from Josh Neufville beat Xavi to give Town the lead. The prolific goalscorer Danny Hylton extended it soon after and went on to net a hat trick, including expertly converting a penalty after he was pulled down by Max Farrelly. The only time Berko were beaten by a set piece was when a Luke Berry corner was headed home by Matt Pearson for the fourth goal. The Hatters were clinical with their finishing netting five goals in the first 45.

Goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Luton’s record signing at £1.3m, had to use his head to clear under pressure from last season’s Comrades’ top scorer Lewis Toomey. Bright spots for Berko included a solid performance in the air from new centre back Sam Doolan, brought in from Colney Heath to replace Ryan Kinnane, who has moved up two divisions to join Hemel Hempstead. Berko needed new wingers after Jonathan Lacey went to Hemel and Lee Stobbs to Aylesbury United. Eric Lopes from Northwood and Romario Hart from Chesham United looked as if they may prove a handful for step 4 defences.

Hatters’ boss Nathan Jones brought on a complete new team after 45 minutes. The new side worked the ball well and managed to get behind the Comrades defence and set up a series of close range chances. George Moncur was first to score for the new side and Irish international James Collins went on to net a hat tric,k and conclude the scoring. Berko brought on a string of substitutes as the match progressed including Josh Chamberlain and Oran Swales who looked lively on the left wing on his return to Broadwater, and a change of keeper.

The virus, meant the match had to be played behind closed doors, as spectators are still banned at this level of football.

Berko starting side: Comas-Leon; Neufville, Murphy, Spaul, Doolan, Farrelly, Lopes, C.Toomey, L.Toomey, Witham, Hart.

Luton Town 1st 45 :Sluga: Kiosa, Pearson, Bradley, Panter, Tunicliffe, Berry, Mpanzu, Neufville, Lua Lua, Hylton.

Luton Town 2nd 45: Shea, Jones, Cranie, Rea, Galloway, O’Kane, Shinnie, Moncur, Lee, Collins, Cornick.

In midweek, Berko’s under 18s began their friendlies with a 3-2 win over Colney Heath. James Hutchins, Nabil Seodi and an own goal made up the tally of goals for Berko, who also had a penalty saved. They went down 3-2 at AFC Dunstable on Saturday. Dillon Hemmington and a superb free kick from Alfie Abrey accounted for the Berko goals.

The behind closed doors friendlies continue this week with Berko facing two teams from a division higher, in the shape of Hendon at home on Tuesday and away to Kings Langley on Saturday. This week Berko should learn the draws for the FA Cup and FA Youth Cup, both of which may involve games before the league season is allowed to start.

This season Berko are running a second adult side in division 2 of the Spartan South Midlands League, three divisions lower than the first team. That Comrades side entertain Dunstable Town on Saturday.

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