AFC SUDBURY 1 BERKHAMSTED 1

Report by Grant Hastie

Connor Toomey failed a fitness test so was still missing, enabling Jeremiah Luwero to get his first start for in Berko’s midfield. Jamie Head produced an early save and Adam Martin was first to pounce on the loose ball and clear the danger. Joe Neal fired over the bar for the home side, whose Oliver Caley-Brown was behind Sudbury’s best moves with his pace.

Kyal Williams cut in from the left wing and his cross was only half cleared but Edu shot wide. Edu was put through with a ball beyond the centre back, but the defender recovered to make a last minute challenge. The best chance of the half was after some long throws when Martin flicked the ball up and whipped over an inviting cross but Edu’s header cleared the bar, before the interval whistle came.

Mark Riddick came on in the second half and he threaded a ball inside the defence so Max Bustamante burst clear but his shot went across the face of the goal. His next shot was just over the bar.

Both sides went for the winner with substitutions, but the match had a 0-0 feel to it. That all changed when an attempted clearance only found Jordon Frederick and his 20 yard shot through the crowd into the corner of the net to put Berko ahead with a couple of minutes left. It was a great shot to end Berko’s 8 hour plus goal drought. There were 6 minutes of added time and deep into it Neal equalised with a rasping drive from 25 yards into the top corner. They nearly got a winner but were denied by a great save from Head. Heley Ogbedor came on to make his debut for Berko replacing Bustamante in the closing stages.

9 of the 11 games in the division were draws, so the upshot is Berko remain in 18th spot, a point above the relegation zone.

Berko[size=large]; Head; Ball, Smith, Newton, McClelland, Martin, Williams, (Austin), Frederick, Edu, Luwero ( Riddick), Bustamante (Ogbedor). Subs not used - Frater and Bowler.

Steve Heath hopes to have Tom Silford and Connor Toomey fit to return on Saturday for the Emirates FA Cup 1st qualifying tie at home to Beckenham Town. In this round of the cup, replays are still possible and if required would be in Kent on Tuesday night.

On Monday 4th Berko’s under 18 side are at home in the FA Youth Cup against Hayes and Yeading United ko 7:45pm