So FA Vase 1st Round Proper day and I was back at Broadwater for Berkhamsted‘s home tie with Northampton Spencer on what was a lovely Halloween afternoon in Hertfordshire.
The hosts are having a good season, sitting third in the Spartan South Midlands Premier, whilst Northampton Spencer are down towards the bottom of the United Counites Division One, a step below the hosts, so a home win was again expected here.
The home side made their intentions clear from the off, beginning the opening five minutes with a high tempo pressing game. On 4 minutes the hosts had a good chance when the ball fell to Farrelly inside the box but he hit his effort way over from a good position. Spencer though are here on merit and they shocked their opponents by taking a sixth minute lead when Liam Tuckrifled home from inside the box after a flick on into his path and the hosts suddenly found themselves behind. Berkhamsted 0 Northampton Spencer 1.
Despite this set back the hosts continued to play this high tempo attacking football and on ten minutes winger Mannion got in down the left for the hosts but his ball to the near post was just missed by O’Donovan but a minute later the home side levelled the tie when centre half DaveSears headed home a cross and we were back all square. Berkhamsted 1 Northampton Spencer 1.
The game continued at a fast pace and this suited the hosts more and they won a free kick out on the left midway through the half and Mannion’s set play was dangerous and into the six yard box were it was flicked home by Jim Baldry’s head and the hosts now had the lead they deserved. Berkhamsted 2 Northampton Spencer 1.
Three minutes later Nash-Barker, who had replaced the injured O’Donovan early on, forced a good save from Spencer keeper Thomson who got down well to his right to palm away the effort and then just past the half hour mark Spencer headed one just over the top of the hosts bar but it had largely been the home side who had been the better side thus far.
Five minutes before half time Farrelly headed a difficult effort just wide for the hosts but just as we entered first half stoppage time a moment that spiced up the tie when Berko midfielderHawes challenged Melling with a very hard but fair challenge although he did go in with both feet together and the Spencer side went mad saying he had gone in two footed and were wanting a straight red. The referee sensibly took his time over the decision and gave Hawes ayellow although some referee’s may have given a red. Personally I didn’t think it was too bad. Yes it was a hard challenge but the ball was won in my view. It certainly made the sidelines very spicy indeed as we approaced half time.
Avery went close for Spencer at the back post just before half time but it was the hosts who trugged back into the changing rooms ahead at the break.
Half Time Berkhamsted 2 Northampton Spencer 1
Half time seemed to calm down the simmering tension that was building and on 49 minutes good play by Berko’s Chamberlain down the left saw his near post cross cut out by keeper Thomson and then seconds later Nash-Barker did well down the right and crossed for Farrelly whose header deflected over although it resulted in a clash of heads which delayed the game for a minute or so.
Spencer’s McBride went off after the clash of heads with a massive lump on his head and although he wanted to continue his bench said no way. Hopefully the lad is ok and it’s nothing to serious. Anyway from the corner the hosts increased their margin of lead when Chamberlain’s corner was glanced home by Jim Baldry for his second of the game and gave the hosts breathing space in the tie. Berkhamsted 3 Northampton Spencer 1.
Spencer tried in vain to get back into the tie and on 55 minutes only two brilliant defensive blocks denied the visitors and for the next few minutes it was the away side who were doing the pressing although the Berko defence was holding firm.
Jowle came on for the hosts on 65 minutes and was given a great chance to score almost straight away after Spencer keeper Thomson miskicked a clearence to him but the Berko playmaker could only drag his shot well wide. On 73 minutes after some head tennis in the Spencer area Sears volleyed miles wide for the hosts but moments later from Berko’s next attack Josh Chamberlain was played through and he hit his effort across keeper Thomson and in off the post for a deserved goal for the striker. Berkhamsted 4 Northampton Spencer 1.
The visitors continued to try and attack when they could and on 78 minutes Lowery headed over a corner before substitute Pickering headed over another chance for the visitors moments after as the hosts had briefly switched off having established their three goal cushion.
The hosts though were now going for a fifth goal and on 83 minutes good play by Jowle saw him lay off to Chamberlain whose effort from outside the box whistled a foot wide before the same man curled one just over two mins later. Two minutes later Berko’s Nash-Barker went on a brilliant run which saw him cut inside but saw his effort saved down to his right by keeper Thomson. There was nothing he could do about the next effort though as a minute into stoppage time Nash-Barker slipped the ball to Josh Chamberlain who fired past Thomson emphatically to put the seal on the tie once and for all. Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1.
There was still time for Tuck to hit the outside of the hosts post three minutes into stoppage time from a free kick but despite the visitors heart and desire they were well beaten by a better side on the day in Berkhamsted so it is the Hertfordshire side who progress into Monday’s 2nd Round Proper draw.
Full Time Berkhamsted 5 Northampton Spencer 1
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