So I was back at Broadwater, Berkhamsted FC, for their latest FA Vase encounter and my current game in my latest trail as the hosts took on Northampton ON Chenecks in a 2nd Qualifying Round tie.
The hosts are having a good season in the Spartan South Midlands Premier and sit sixth after eight games with five wins in those matches whilst the visitors from Northampton sat 4th in the United Counties Divsion One with five wins from eight games, although they are a Step Lower in the pyramid but would no doubt prove a tough test for the hosts.
However the hosts should of been a goal up on 3 minutes when a loose ball dropped for O’Donovan inside the visitors box but his effort was straight at keeper Lausinieks and moments later the visitors went close when a free kick into the hosts box saw centre half Farrelly’s looping header almost go in his own goal but it sailed just over.
A minute after that the hosts really should of gone ahead as Jackson’s free kick was headed over by O’Donovan who was totally unmarked at the back post but on 8 minutes the visitors returned in kind when a great effort from Butcher who after a good run down the right cut inside and unleashed an effort at goal which Berko keeper Tasker tipped away well and then the resulting corner caused problems but was eventually cleared.
Then on 11 minutes came a crazy decision from the referee as hosts player Eboji got past his defender who fouled him on the way past but advantage was played so Eboji charged into the area and was brought down for what looked like a blatent penalty but the referee brought play back for the original offence, totally baffling. He later said that he thought the player had won the ball although I find this hard to see myself, oh well it’s a game of opinions as they say!!!!
Three minutes later Foster broke into the box for the visitors but keeper Tasker came out well to save. It had been a lively opening quarter to say the least but no goals thus far. That was until the visitors won a free kick just outside the box midway through the half and saw the free kick whipped over the wall and into the net by Foster to give the United Counties League vistitors the lead. Berkhamsted 0 Northampton ON Chenecks 1.
Just before the half hour mark the hosts got in down the right through O’Donovan but his ball across goal was flicked away from danger. The hosts though were cutting frustrated figures as they could not seem to thread any sort of play together as their performance was dropping for their normal high standards. On 41 minutes good play between O’Donovan and Jowle saw the latter’s cross pin ball around the visitors box before being cleared and then right on half time Jackson whipped another ball into the box for the hosts but they couldn’t convert a header at the back post meaning they went in a goal down at the break.
Half Time Berkhamsted 0 Northampton ON Chenecks 1
The hosts knew they had to come out with a much higher tempo than they finished the first half with and four minutes into the half a corner from the hosts saw it poorly cleared to Jowle who jinked past one before seeing his effort blocked but on 53 minutes they levelled the tie up when a cross saw O’Donovan rise to head beyond keeper Lausinieks and give the hosts a much needed boost. Berkhamsted 1 Northampton ON Chenecks 1.
The hosts were well on the front foot now and just past the hour mark they should of lead when a Jackson free kick to the back post saw Eboji get his close range header all wrong and saw his effort bounce across goal and away to safety. But, only a minute later the hosts did lead when substitute Mannion burst into the box and squared for Jackson to tap home to see the home side turn this tie around. Berkhamsted 2 Northampton ON Chenecks 1.
The visitors wern’t about to lie down though and on 68 minutes were screaming for a penalty after the hosts appeared to handle inside the box but nothing was forthcoming and then a minute later the hosts nearly increased their lead as Edwards broke into the box and saw his effort well saved by Lausinieks before the follow up effort from Chamberlain was also beaten away by the keeper.
With twenty minutes to go the visitors went close as a deep free kick found Watkins totally unmarked inside the area who headed over from close range in what was a let off for the hosts and on 77 minutes with the hosts looking more and more nervy the visitors almost caused panic inside the box as a header across goal invaded two players coming in at the back post. The visitors were certaining asking questions of their opponents.
With ten minutes to go a great turn of speed from hosts substitute Chamberlain saw him ghost past a defender before forcing a great save from keeper Lausinieks and then two minutes later a cross into the visitors box saw Canham all alone as the Chenecks boys appealled for offside but the centre halfs effort was saved by the ever impressive Lausinieks in the visiting goal.
Berko almost paid for failing to seal the tie when on 90 minutes the visitors went close as Spalding broke into the box and laid the ball across to the back post but Foster could not convert and then three minutes into stoppage time visiting substitute Dore struck an effort from long range which Tasker had to tip round the post.
Deep deep deep into stoppage time the visitors hurtled a long throw into the hosts box but saw the ball go behind off a crowd of players in the six yard box and the eventual decision was a goal kick given as the hosts survived and held on to take their place in the First Round Proper draw on Monday lunchtime. It was a tough battle so well played both sides.
Full Time Berkhamsted 2 Northampton ON Chenecks 1
Berkhamsted 1.Tasker 2.Edwards 3.Weeks 4.Baldry 5.Canham 6.Farrelly 7.Jowle 8.Hawes 9.O’Donovan 10.Eboji 11.Jackson
Subs 12.Mead 14.Carbery 15.Chamberlain 16.Mannion 17.Caines
Northampton On Chenecks 1.Lausinieks 2.Joe Lewington 3.Clarke 4.Underwood 5.Watkins 6.Caton 7.Ben Lewington 8.Butcher 9.Foster 10.Hancock 11.Ogden
Subs 12.Dore 14.Spalding 15.Hindle 16.Budd 17.Tolworthy
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