The Journey
It was roughly a two hour journey from Southend (where I live) to Berkhamsted taking in two trains and a tube but it was a fairly straight forward journey. The ground is only a short 5-10 minute walk away from the station too so that is useful as well.
The Ground
Broadwater is right by the River Bulbourne in lovely leafy surroundings in Canal Fields. The ground has one main seated stand plus two covered standing areas behind each goal. It also has a very nice clubhouse too and I always receive a warm friendly welcome every time I go there. The tea bar inside the ground serves some nice rolls too as well as hot dogs and other normal snacks. Prices are very reasonable as well.
The Match
Berkhamsted Vs Woodford United (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round, Saturday 5th September)
Berko were 6th in the SSML Premier after a decent start to their season whilst Northamptonshire side Woodford were down towards the foot of the UCL Division One after five defeats from six league games.
The hosts were therefore expected to win this tussle fairly comfortably this being Step Five versus Step Six as well. However it was the visitors who carved out the first sniff of goal on 5 minutes when King almost found a sight of goal when he found room inside the box but the ball got stuck under his feet and the defenders managed to smother him out.
Woodford continued with their decent opening spell and on 8 minutes saw the ball fall to Drinkwater inside the hosts box but his effort lacked power and was easy for Tasker to save. For all their opening endeavours it was the hosts who should have taken a tenth minute lead when a ball into the visitors box saw Eboji, who was a late replacement for O’Donovan who subsequently dropped to the bench, totally unmarked in the six yard box but he totally mis-headed the ball and keeper Baxter easily gathered the loose ball.
This didn’t deter the visitors though who almost took a deserved lead on 16 minutes when after the ball had fallen to Stowe inside the box he poked an effort at goal and saw Berko defender Edwards clear off the line before he was fouled. Three minutes later and the visitors were in again as King found himself clean through after beating the offside trap but he dragged his effort horribly wide and the forward hung his head in shame. It was a big chance.
The visitors were almost made to pay for these misses on 20 minutes when Berko had a chance after the keeper came and beats Nash-Barker to the ball on the edge of his box and he subsequently totally miskicked his clearance straight to Berko’s Carbexy whose effort towards the goal was headed away by a defender, saving Baxter’s blushes in the process.
The hosts had started slowly but seemed to be finally clicking into gear and on 24 minutes their first bit of good football saw full back Edwards played in but his effort from the angle came back off the near post and out for goal kick. It was close but three minutes later the hosts did take the lead when after the referee had played a good advantage the ball fell to Jackson on the edge of the box and he took a touch before firing past Baxter. Berkhamsted 1 Woodford United 0.
The hosts were now flying and two minutes later they doubled the lead when more good football saw Eboji get down the left and square the ball across goal for Jowle to finish from close range giving Baxter no chance and the hosts suddenly had breathing space in this tie. Berkhamsted 2 Woodford United 0.
The visitors continued to threaten when they did get forward though and moments later almost grabbed one back when Andyoitos got in down the left and drilled a decent effort across goal but it went just wide. Moments later the hosts went close again when a great strike from Farrelly saw keeper Baxter parry and almost gifted the hosts a free rebound but the keeper just about smothered this chance and prevented further damage.
Ten minutes before half time a good ball in by Berko defender Baldry saw Eboji head over when totally unmarked but a minute later Eboji made amends for this miss when he converted Nash-Barker’s centre from close range after good work on the left from the provider. It was now looking like a comfortable afternoon for the hosts after a difficult opening. Berkhamsted 3 Woodford United 0.
Moments later it was almost four when the hosts got in again but the effort from Jackson was tipped wide by Baxter although the referee gave a goal kick for some reason. A minute before half time the visitors won a free kick in decent position after Drinkwater was fouled but King’s effort went miles over. The final chance of the half went to the hosts though when good play between Jowle and Edwards saw the latter in but good defending saw them block the effort.
Half Time Berkhamsted 3 Woodford United 0
Berko should of made it four moments into the second half when a great jinking run into the box by Jowle ended with him smacking the ball over from close range when it looked easier to score. Apart from this the opening exchanges of the second half were no where near as high a tempo as the first half had been.
Just before the hour mark a deflected effort from the visitors bounced up off the hard surface and gave Tasker a problem he didn’t expect to have originally and he had to be alert to tip the ball over the bar. A minute later came a talking point when United’s Parkinson took Berko’s Farrelly out late and the hosts midfielder pushed the visiting player over in frustration and saw the visitors call for a red card. However Farrelly was booked for his troubles whilst Parkinson was also booked for the original tackle. This upset the visiting players and officials who seemed to believe the were not getting the rub of the green with many of the referee’s decisions.
However the visitors were again enjoying a decent spell and on 65 minutes substitute Miller produced some good work down the right and then squared for Andyoitos whose effort was saved by Tasker. Berko had dropped the pace slightly and were going through the motions it seemed, a dangerous tactic indeed.
Two minutes later after Berko’s Jowle’s diagonal ball almost saw substitute O’Donovan get in the visitors winger Andyoitos bursts into the hosts box and flashed another effort across goal and was frustrated that no one was on the end of it. However with twenty minutes to go the visitors finally got on the scoresheet when a poor clearance from the hosts found Henderson around thirty yards out and he promptly smacked an effort past Tasker brilliantly and gave the Northamptonshire side a glimer of hope. Berkhamsted 3 Woodford United 1.
This seemed to wake the hosts up again and two minutes later great skill from substitute O’Donovan saw his centre find Eboji who somehow headed wide from point blank range as the hosts looked to finally kill off their dogged opponents. On 79 minutes a decent corner from Berko winger Jackson was bundled wide of the far post with keeper Baxter needing some treatment after clattering into the post under a sea of bodies.
Two minutes later and the tie was sealed when a one two between O’Donovan and Jowle saw the former ghost into the box and finish smartly across Baxter into the far corner for another well worked goal. Berkhamsted 4 Woodford United 1.
A special mention for Berkhamsted’s midfield mastro Frank Jowle, who was subbed with four minutes left. He had been the best player on the pitch today in what was a superb all round performance from the Berko player. He certainly more than helped his side to victory against stubborn opponents who also more than played their part in this tie. It is however the hosts who progress through to play Northampton St Chenecks in the Second Qualifying Round on October 3rd.
Full Time Berkhamsted 4 Woodford United 1
Berkhamsted 1.Tasker 2.Edwards 3.Weeks 4.Baldry 5.Hawes 6.Farrelly 7.Jowle 8.Carbexy 9.Eboji 10.Nash-Barker 11.Jackson
Subs 12.O’Donovan 14.Ward 15.Trevillion
Woodford United 1.Baxter 2.Sell 3.Worrell 4.Stowe 5.Parkinson 6.Thomas 7.Edwards 8.Henderson 9.Drinkwater 10.King 11.Andyoitos
Subs 12.Powell GK Sulyman 14.Miller
Here are some photos:-
Post MatchWent back into the clubhouse afterwards before making my way out of the ground and off to the station. It was another wonderful experience and I look forward to my visit back there on October 3rd when Berkhamsted host Northampton On Chenecks in the 2nd Qualfiying Round.
Here are the results for the 1st Qualifying Round of the Vase:-
Friday 4th SeptemberRoman Glass St George 3 Calne Town 3 (aet)
Baldock Town 3 St Margaretsbury 2
Thrapston Town 1 Northampton Sileby Rangers 3
Saturday 5th SeptemberGarforth Town 4 Albion Sports 1
Willington 2 Whitley Bay 6
Norton & Stockton Ancients 2 Pickering Town 1
Sunderland Ryhope CW 1 Darlington Railway Athletic 4
Brandon United 2 Washington 7
Silsden 3 Thornaby 1
Crook Town 0 West Auckland Town 2
Hebburn Town 4 Knaresbrough Town 1
Seaham Red Star 3 Billingham Town 1
Esh Winning 2 Hall Road Rangers 3 (aet)
Morpeth Town 4 Padiham 1
Durham City 3 Northallerton Town 1
Billingham Sythonia 2 Alnwick Town 2 (aet)
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion 1 Yorkshire Amateur 2
Eccleshill United 2 Heaton Stannington 4
Penrith 1 Bridlington Town 2
Thackley 0 Whickham 0 (aet)
Birtley Town 0 Chester-Le-Street Town 5
Liversedge 1 Team Northumbria 4
Brigg Town 3 Westella VIP 4
Vauxhall Motors 5 Glasshoughton Welfare 0
Staveley MW 3 Cheadle Town 4
Handsworth Parramore 1 AFC Liverpool 0
West Didbury & Chorlton 2 Barton Town Old Boys 1
Bacup Borough 4 Worsbrough Bridge Athletic 0
Rossington Main 4 Pontefract Collieries 2
Winterton Rangers 0 St Helens Town 4
Bottesford Town 4 Appleby Frodingham 1
Hemsworth MW 3 Cammell Laird 1
AFC Blackpool 0 Maltby Main 3
Squires Gate 2 Irlam 2 (aet)
Ashton Athletic 0 Atherton Collieries 0 (aet)
Selby Town 12 Askern 0
Runcorn Town 4 Litherland Remyca 2
Congleton Town 3 Nostell MW 1
Rochdale Town 6 Parkgate 5
Ashby Ivanhoe 0 Racing Club Warwick 2
AFC Wulfranians 2 Pershore Town 1
Gornal Athletic 0 Littleton 4
Paget Rangers 2 Studley 3
Stafford Town 2 Wednesfield 0
Bewdley Town 1 Bilston Town 2
Lutterworth Athletic 0 Pilkington XXX 5
Heath Hayes 1 Bromsgrove Sporting 4
Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Southam United 1
Pegasus Juniors 0 Stourport Swifts 4
Lye Town 3 Barnt Green Spartak 0
Coventry Copsewood 1 Bardon Hill Sports 4 (aet)
Wolverhampton SC 0 Hinckley AFC 5
Highgate United 5 Tipton Town 0
Westfields 1 Atherstone Town 0
Cadbury Athletic 0 AFC Bridgnorth 2
Shawbury United 2 Nuneaton Griff 3 (at Nuneaton Griff)
Shifnal Town 1 Malvern Town 4
Hanley Town 1 Coventry United 3 (aet)
Dudley Town 0 Sporting Khalsa 3
Heather St Johns 1 Rocester 8
Aston Vs Black Country Rangers (walkover for Black Country Rangers - Aston removed)
Alvechurch 3 Lichfield City 1
Anstey Nomads 4 Frair Lane & Epworth 2
Arnold Town 2 Gedling MW 1
Belper United 2 Clifton All Whites 4 (aet)
Blaby & Whetstone Athletic 1 Retford United 4
Shirebrook Town 5 Oakham United 2
Eastwood Community 1 Harrowby United 3
Borrowash Victoria 3 Kimberley MW 1 (aet)
Hucknall Town 4 Stapenhill 0
Ollerton Town 1 St Andrews 2
Quorn 3 Rainworth MW 0
Radcliffe Olympic 2 Holbrook Sports 0
Shepshed Dynamo 1 Loughborough University 3
Leicester Road 2 Harborough Town 0
Peterborough Sports 2 Sleaford Town 3 (aet)
Boston Town 2 Great Yarmouth Town 4
St Neots Town Saints 2 Team Bury 1
Downham Town 4 Huntingdon Town 1
Thetford Town 2 Blackstones 3
Ipswich Wanderers 7 London Bari 0
Tower Hamlets 1 Whitton United 3 (at Whitton United)
Codicote 1 Clapton 4 (at Colney Heath)
Sporting Bengal United 1 Burnham Ramblers 1 (aet)
Cockfosters 3 Greenhouse Sports 3 (aet)
Welwyn Garden City 1 Haverhill Borough 0 (aet)
Debenham LC 2 Enfield 1893 1 (aet)
FC Clacton 2 Stansted 0
Hadley 2 Felixtowe & Walton United 1
Halstead Town 1 Haverhill Rovers 0
Hadleigh United 7 Eton Manor 0
Long Melford 3 Cornard United 1
Long Buckby 3 Spelthorne Sports 1
Northampton On Chenecks 2 Sun Postal Sports 1
Broadfields United 2 Harpenden Town 4
Berkhamsted 4 Woodford United 1
Holmer Green 2 Wellingborough Town 7
Southall 2 Bedfont & Feltham 1
Newport Pagnell Town 0 AFC Kempston Rovers 2 (aet)
Wellingborough Whitworths 3 Edgware Town 6
Langford 0 Bedfont Sports 3
Hillingdon Borough 1 Potton United 2
Ampthill Town 1 London Tigers 2
Burton Park Wanderers 0 Tring Athletic 0 (aet)
New Bradwell St Peter 2 Rushden & Higham United 0 (aet)
Stotfold 3 Bugbrooke St Michaels 1
Hanworth Villa 1 Desborough Town 0 (aet)
Rothwell Corinthians 1 Bedford 0
Chertsey Town 5 Tuffley Rovers 1
Fairford Town 3 Ardley United 0
Shrivenham 3 Reading Town 2
Royal Wootton Bassett Town 1 Binfield 1 (aet)
Bracknell Town 1 Hook Norton 0
Thatcham Town 7 New College Swindon 0
Abbey Rangers 0 Holyport 0 (aet)
Cheltenham Saracens 1 Brimscombe & Thrupp 2
Lydney Town 5 Abingdon United 0
Frimley Green 3 Fleet Spurs 2
Tadley Calleva 6 Woodley United 0
Hartley Wintney 3 Longlevens AFC 2
Carterton 6 Chinnor 0
Ash United 0 Windsor 2
Horsham YMCA 3 FC Elmstead 2
Deal Town 1 Dorking 0
Southwick 0 Lordswood 3
Bexhill United 0 AFC Croydon Athletic 2 (at Hailsham Town)
Raynes Park Vale 2 Croydon 4
Banstead Athletic 2 Seven Acre & Sidcup 2 (aet)
Corinthian 4 Chessington & Hook United 1
Haywards Heath Town 2 Little Common 1
Chichester City 0 Erith Town 2
Canterbury City 1 Ringmer 0 (at Ramsgate)
Cobham 2 Shoreham 1 (aet)
Sevenoaks Town 5 Horley Town 0
Glebe Vs Eastbourne United (walkover for Eastbourne United - Glebe not accepted into the Competition)
AFC Uckfield Town 1 Beckenham Town 5
Steyning Town 6 Wick & Barnham United 2
Crawley Down Gatwick 1 Fisher 3
Mile Oak 3 Seaford Town 1
Loxwood 2 Crowborough Athletic 0
Newhaven 1 Guildford City 0
Briden Ropes 1 Holmesdale 1 (aet)
Andover New Street 1 Bitton 4
Wincanton Town 1 Salisbury 8 (at Salisbury)
Devizes Town 0 Shaftesbury Town 2
Team Solent 4 Christchurch 1 (aet)
Alresford Town 0 Blackfield & Langley 5
Oldland Abbotanians 3 Downton 0
Corsham Town 5 Westbury United 1
Andover Town 7 Fawley 2
Bournemouth 4 Brockenhurst 3
East Cowes Victoria Athletic 0 Lymington Town 9
Whitchurch United 3 Hamworthy United 0
Cadbury Heath 3 Amesbury Town 0
Winterbourne United 4 Horndean 4 (aet)
Cribbs 1 Hallen 2
Warminster Town 3 Pewsey Vale 0
Verwood Town 3 Fareham Town 2 (aet)
Sherborne Town 2 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3
Witheridge 1 Cullompton Rangers 0
Falmouth Town 0 Newquay 1
Plymouth Parkway 5 Street 1
Ivybridge Town 7 Porthleven 0
Budleigh Salterton 3 Welton Rovers 5
Shepton Mallet 3 Cheddar 1
Ashton & Backwell United 2 Brislington 1 (aet)
St Blazey 2 Bovey Tracey 0
Saltash United 3 Exmouth Town 4 (aet)
Portishead Town 2 Elburton Villa 0
Camelford 2 Clevedon Town 1
Sunday 6th SeptemberBrantham Athletic 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 0
Oxford City Nomads 4 Buckingham Town 0
Continental Star 2 Ellistown & Ibstock United 3
Irchester United 0 Risborough Rangers 4
Horsham 3 Epsom & Ewell 0
Worthing United 2 East Preston 1
Replays
Monday 7th SeptemberAtherton Colleries 3 Ashton Athletic 1
Binfield 3 Royal Wootton Bassett Town 4
Tuesday 8th September
Alnwick Town 1 Billingham Synthonia 2
Irlam 1 Squires Gate 3
Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 4
Tring Athletic 4 Burton Park Wanderers 0
Holyport 1 Abbey Rangers 4
Horndean 3 Winterbourne United 0
Whickham 2 Thackley 2 (aet; Whickham won 3-1 on penalties)
Wednesday 9th SeptemberGreenhouse Sports 3 Cockfosters 2
Seven Acre & Sidcup 1 Banstead Athletic 2
Holmesdale 1 Bridon Ropes 3
Calne Town 2 Roman Glass St George 0 (aet)
And now here are the 2nd Qualifying Round ties:-
Friday 2nd OctoberBishop Auckland Vs Holker Old Boys
Sholing Vs United Services Portsmouth
Saturday 3rd OctoberEasington Colliery Vs Ashington
South Shields Vs Washington
Tow Law Town Vs Stokesley SC
Chester-Le-Street Town Vs Heaton Stannington
Darlington Railway Athletic Vs Hall Road Rangers
Billingham Synthonia Vs Morpeth Town
Sunderland RCA Vs Bridlington Town
Silsden AFC Vs Daisy Hill
Whickham Vs Garforth Town
Bedlington Terriers Vs Durham City
Jarrow Roofing Beldon CA Vs Seaham Red Star
Hebburn Town Vs Yorkshire Amateur
Norton & Stockton Ancients Vs Newcastle Benfield
AFC Darwen Vs West Auckland Town
Whitley Bay Vs West Allotment Celtic
Newton Aycliffe Vs Barnoldswick Town
Nelson Vs Team Northumbria
Runcorn Town Vs Barnton
Vauxhall Motors Vs Abbey Hey
AFC Emley Vs Congleton Town
Dronfield Town Vs Bootle
Handsworth Parramore Vs Cheadle Town
Armthorpe Welfare Vs Ashton Town AFC
Rochdale Town Vs St Helens Town
Westella VIP Vs Selby Town
Bacup Borough Vs Hemsworth MW
Atherton Collieries Vs Atherton LR
West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC Vs Dinnington Town
Squires Gate Vs Winsford United
Northwich Manchester Villa Vs Rossington Main
Penistone Church Vs Athersley Recreation
Maltby Main Vs Bottesford Town
Hallam Vs Harworth Colliery
Alsager Town Vs Maine Road
Bardon Hill Sports Vs Hereford
Bilston Town Vs AFC Wulfrunians
Hickley AFC Vs Bromyard Town
Ellesmere Rangers Vs Malvern Town
Boldmere St Michaels Vs Stafford Town
Uttoxeter Town Vs Bolehall Swifts
Stone Old Alleynians Vs Racing Club Warwick
Sporting Khalsa Vs Wellington
Pilkington XXX Vs Alvechurch
Stourport Swifts Vs Black Country Rangers
Eccleshall Vs Haughmond
Highgate United Vs Wolverhampton Casuals
AFC Bridgnorth Vs Willenhall Town
Westfields Vs Littleton
Rocester Vs Kirby Muxloe
Coton Green Vs Nuneaton Griff
Bromsgrove Sporting Vs Dudley Sports
Lye Town Vs Cradley Town
Coventry Sphinx Vs Ellistown & Ibstock United
Retford United Vs Loughborough University
Anstey Nomads Vs Clifton All Whites
Holwell Sports Vs Dunkirk
Radford Vs South Normanton Athletic
Teversal Vs Radcliffe Olympic
Oadby Town Vs Borrowash Victoria
Harrowby United Vs Leicester Road
Greenwood Meadows Vs Clipstone Welfare
Aylestone Park Vs St Andrews
Blidworth Welfare Vs Graham St Prims
Lincoln Moorlands Railway Vs Pinxton
Barrow Town Vs Quorn
Arnold Town Vs Hucknall Town AFC
Blackstones Vs Peterborough Northern Star
Great Yarmouth Town Vs Deeping Rangers
Mildenhall Town Vs St Neots Town Saints
Swaffham Town Vs Bourne Town
Gorleston Vs Walsham Le Willows
Wisbech St Mary Vs Diss Town
Ely City Vs Newmarket Town
Downham Town Vs Sleaford Town
Eynesbury Rovers Vs Fakenham Town
Sporting Bengal United Vs Halstead Town
Ipswich Wanderers Vs Clapton
Takeley Vs Hoddesdon Town
Woodbridge Town Vs Ilford
Brimsdown Vs Brantham Athletic
Waltham Forest Vs Welwyn Garden City
Greenhouse Sports Vs Hadleigh United
Stowmarket Town Vs Hertford Town
Newbury Forest Vs FC Clacton
FC Romania Vs Baldock Town
FC Broxbourne Borough Vs Long Melford
Wivenhoe Town Vs Basildon United
Southend Manor Vs Hadley
Whitton United Vs Debenham LC
Raunds Town Vs Wellingborough Town
Edgware Town Vs Winslow United
AFC Kempston Rovers Vs Long Buckby
Wembley Vs Potton United
Rothwell Corinthians Vs Tring Athletic
Northampton Sileby Rangers Vs New Bradwell St Peter
Cricklewood Wanderers Vs Risborough Rangers
Hanworth Villa Vs Oxhey Jets
Southall Vs CB Hounslow United
Berkhamsted Vs Northampton On Chenecks
London Tigers Vs Crawley Green
Rayners Lane Vs Stotfold
Cogenhoe United Vs AFC Hayes
Bedfont Sports Vs Buckingham Athletic
Biggleswade United Vs Leverstock Green
Northampton Spencer Vs Harpenden Town
Westfield Vs Carterton
Frimley Green Vs Thame United
Henley Town Vs Oxford City Nomads
Alton Town Vs Bracknell Town
Abbey Rangers Vs Tytherington Rocks
Fairford Town Vs Badshot Lea
Chertsey Town Vs Tadley Calleva
Windsor Vs Royal Wootton Bassett Town
Wokingham & Emmbrook Vs Shrivenham
Hartley Wintney Vs Milton United
Thatcham Town Vs Brimscombe & Thrupp
Malmesbury Victoria Vs Farnham Town
Knaphill Vs Lydney Town
Canterbury City Vs Tooting & Mitcham Wanderers
Croydon Vs Horsham YMCA
Cobham Vs Sutton Common Rovers
Hailsham Town Vs Fisher
Hollands & Blair Vs AFC Croydon Athletic
Mile Oak Vs Lordswood
St Francis Rangers Vs Meridian
Selsey Vs Horsham
Loxwood Vs Arundel
Banstead Athletic Vs Cray Valley (PM)
Erith Town Vs Bridon Ropes
Oakwood Vs Lancing
Sevenoaks Town Vs Haywards Heath Town
Beckenham Town Vs Redhill
Eastbourne United Vs Deal Town
Newhaven Vs Broadbridge Heath
Rochester United Vs Steyning Town
Corinthian Vs Lingfield
Worthing United Vs Epsom Athletic
Sheppey United Vs Gravesham Borough
Warminster Town Vs Gillingham Town
Salisbury Vs Folland Sports
New Milton Town Vs Verwood Town
Romsey Town Vs Calne Town
Team Solent Vs Shaftesbury Town
Laverstock & Ford Vs Cowes Sports
Bemerton Heath Harlequins Vs Andover Town
Bitton AFC Vs Hallen
Oldland Abbotonians Vs Lymington Town
Horndean Vs Longwell Green Sports
Blackfield & Langley Vs Ringwood Town
Cadbury Heath Vs Almondsbury UWE
Swanage Town & Herston Vs Corsham Town
Chippenham Park Vs Newport (IW)
Whitchurch United Vs Bournemouth
Bridport Vs Hythe & Dibden
Radstock Town Vs Hengrove Athletic
Shepton Mallet AFC Vs Camelford
Exmouth Town Vs Welton Rovers
Ivybridge Town Vs Barnstaple Town
Newquay Vs Odd Down
Wadebridge Town Vs Portishead Town
Crediton United Vs Bishop Sutton
Willand Rovers Vs Plymouth Parkway
Ashton & Backwell United Vs Torpoint Athletic
Keynsham Town Vs Wells City
Witheridge AFC Vs St Blazey
Sunday 4th OctoberCoventry United Vs Studley
That concludes my review of the 1st Qualifying Round, I'll be back with a review of the next round at the start of October.
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