ST NEOTS TOWN 1 BERKHAMSTED 1

Report by Grant Hastie

Dan Akubuine returned to Berko at right back, signing again after spells away with Hemel and Hitchin Town. Two regular right backs Adam Cash and Ryan Neufville are out with injuries that will last for the long term. Adam Watkins was taken off in the first half as a precaution. Both sides have about 8 players absent through injury, but those present served up a high tempo action packed match.

Kwai Marsh Brown and Robbie Goodman were booked early on after a robust challenge for the ball. Marsh-Brown fired over and into the side netting with chances to put the home side in front. There were more long range St Neots shots going over the bar as their young side tried to put their recent bad run behind them. Berko were also a threat going forward. Goodman nearly netted in the top corner but Louis Chadwick saved it, but second later he was powerless when Cheyce Grant scored a smashing goal. He really let fly for one of the goals of the season. The keeper had no chance to move before the ball was past him and striking the far post and rebounding over the line at the near post. Just before the interval a shot from Lee Watkins took a deflection, but Xavi saved.

It was Saints skipper Watkins who levelled the scores in the second half pouncing with a well placed shot when the ball came to him in the penalty area.

The game was now end to end with both sides looking to take three points. St Neots launched a lot of long throws that the centre backs and Xavi gobbled up but they were also winning the corner count. Fortunately for Berko, many St Neots shots even from close range, missed the target. The home side had their luck too. The assistant referee ruled out what would have been a late winner for The Comrades. His verdict was only half the ball had crossed the line, when Ryan Kinnane stretched to shoot from an angle by the far post and the defence then reclaimed the ball. Sadly, no VAR to make a ruling, but even if a video emerges in due course, that will not affect the result.

It was a superbly entertaining game with the result on a knife edge to the very end. Berko are now second, a point behind Bedford Town, with both teams having played the same number of games.

Berko team Xavi Comas Leon, Akubuine, Cooper, Watkins (Frederick), Kinnane, Goodman, Bailey, Kirkpatrick, L Toomey, Grant (Draycott), A Bangura. Subs not used - M. Bangura, Chamberlain & Groom.

Berko are at home to Waltham Abbey on Saturday afternoon. The game will mark the half-way point of the division 1 Central season with Berko very much in the promotion mix.