#2 - Berkhamsted FC 2-2 Chesham United

After Berkhamsted’s impressive 5-1 victory over Hemel on Saturday, they took on another local team: Chesham United, managed by former Berkhamsted coach Mark Swales. Although Chesham don't currently compete at the same standard as Hemel, this would still prove to be a tough test for Steve Bateman's relatively new team. 

The game started ferociously and Berkhamsted soon took the lead in the fifth minute after the Chesham goalkeeper misplaced a long kick which new striker Marcus Campbell finished first time into an open net from around thirty-five yards out. Emotions contrasted between each bench as both sides regained their position ready for the restart. Not long after this, a long ball punted forward by the Berkhamsted goalkeeper caused panic within the Chesham defence as they failed to judge the bounce, allowing Campbell to nip in ahead of them and finish a simple chance. Amidst all the mayhem however, the linesman on the far side had already raised his flag for offside against Berkhamsted midfielder Dan Jones, therefore forcing the referee to disallow the goal which would’ve put Berkhamsted two ahead after twelve minutes. Chesham reacted strongly, immediately putting Berkhamsted on the back foot and forcing multiple corner kicks. Chesham’s height in the box caused Berkhamsted problems that they only just managed to deal with in the first half. As the first half drew to a close, a tight encounter was almost reflected in the score line as Berkhamsted were sloppy in midfield, allowing Chesham to counter attack and have a shot on goal. However, the effort was tame and was easily saved. Soon after that attack the referee blew the whistle for half time and each side returned to their dressing rooms relatively pleased with the performances they had delivered despite not enjoying large spells of possession or creating too many clear goal scoring opportunities.

As each team returned for the second half, Berkhamsted manager Steve Bateman used his broad selection of talent and changed all eleven players, allowing the team that played in the first half a much-needed rest. As the second half begun, the pattern of the game notably changed as Chesham began to dominate and enjoy more of the ball. Lacking an efficient outlet up front after Campbell’s substitution, Berkhamsted struggled to keep the ball and they ultimately paid the price in the fifty-ninth minute when Matt Bevan hit a sweetly struck half volley with the outside of his right boot which Berkhamsted goalkeeper Carl Tasker couldn’t palm away from his own net. As Chesham equalised, their confidence doubled. The minutes ticked on and a Berkhamsted revival was looking unlikely. Wide on the left side, Chesham midfielder Oram Swales worked some space well and whipped a venomous shot around surrounding bodies to force a corner after a great save by Tasker. From the resulting corner in the seventy-fourth minute, Chesham decided to take advantage of Berkhamsted’s lack of focus and play a quick, short corner which eventually ended up at the feet of Dave Pearce who slotted the ball underneath Tasker to give Chesham the lead. Celebrations were subdued but the Chesham players sensed a solid victory was theirs if they held on for a few more minutes. However, Steve Bateman made a smart substitution, bringing on the goal scorer Campbell in hope he would bring some energy and quality to the Berkhamsted attack. His impact was hugely significant as a few minutes later, a pin-point pass was squeezed through to Campbell who managed to bundle his way past the Chesham defenders a side foot the ball into the net, getting Berkhamsted back on level terms and claiming his second goal of the game in the process with only a few minutes to spare. That goal would become pivotal as the referee soon blew the final whistle, indicating a 2-2 draw which both sides could take positives from heading into the new season.