DIDCOT TOWN 0 BERKHAMSTED 2

Report by Grant Hastie

Reece Robins made his debut on the wing for Berko after joining from Hemel in the only change from Saturday.

In the first 10 minutes Berko forced a series of corners. A defender blocked on the line a powerful header from Tommy Smith that looked goal bound. However, Smith also got a defender’s head and a broken nose for his troubles. There was a lengthy delay for treatment and for the 6 yard to be sanded after the blood spillage. Smith tried to carry on, but Max Farrelly, soon replaced him returning for his first game since breaking a rib.

A defender blocked an Alie Bangura shot and Ben Walster continued to knock over good corners, Cheyce Grant firing over from one. Just before half time Berko got the lead when a corner was only partially cleared to Adam Watkins, who shot into the bottom of the net from 20 yards. The added time meant there was still for Robins to crack a shot that Leigh Bedwell saved at full length. Grant also got a good shot in. Didcot forced a couple of corners that were cleared before the interval came.

Bedwell kept the home side in the game when he tipped a strong shot from the left by Robins onto the post. He was again at his best to deny James Verney who came on to add pace to the attack. A defender stopped a Robins shot on the line. Verney ran clear again and squared for Robins who tried to round the keeper. Bedwell brought Robins down for a penalty that Cheyce Grant blasted into the bottom corner to double the lead with virtually the last kick of the game.

It was the Comrades best performance for a while. Berko are now two points behind the leaders Bedford Town and still have a game in hand.

Berko team: Comas Leon, Akubuine, Walster, Watkins, Kinnane, Smith (Farrelly), Robins, Frederick, L.Toomey (Verney), Grant, Bangura (Kirkpatrick). Subs not used – M Bangura & Cooper.

On Saturday afternoon, Berko are again in Oxfordshire when the go to Kidlington. On Tuesday night, Berko will be trying to reach their first ever Southern League Cup semi-final, when they are at home to Swindon Supermarine from the division above.