Season ends with friendly at Berko

The first team completed their season on Saturday with a friendly at Berkhamsted, which finished as a 7-3 win for Berko in front of a large crowd.

The match was arranged to give Berkhamsted a chance to welcome supporters back to their ground for the first time since the easing of lockdown restrictions, and over 200 turned up to watch. It was also the 73rd birthday of Mick Vipond, a legend at both clubs, taking charge of the Leverstock side following the midweek departure of Matt Harding.

It was the Green side who opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, and it was a fine move with John Smith playing the ball out wide to Frank Jowle, who ran on to cross for Lawrence Bunker to score. However Berko equalised three minutes later, with Jervon Campbell striking a low shot past the outstretched arm of Adi Connolly.

In the 14th minute it was 2-1 to Berko as James Verney scored from a solo run and shot, however Leverstock equalised four minutes later through a shot from Fraser Bryden. Berko went back in front on 25 minutes when Campbell netted the rebound after Connolly had made a great save, and on 35 minutes Eric Lopes made it 4-2 from the penalty spot.

Leverstock pulled a goal back in the opening minute of the second half through James Hall, but Berko restored their two-goal lead on 63 minutes as Verney headed home a corner, and made it 6-3 a minute later through Lopes. Verney completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes to leave a final score of 7-3.

Following the game Mick Vipond was presented with a birthday cake in the clubhouse.