#4 - Berkhamsted FC 3-1 North Leigh

Coming into this match, a total of four points separated Berkhamsted and North Leigh after just seven games played in the 18/19 season. Berkhamsted's form however was far superior to North Leigh's as they looked to turn two consecutive victories into three. 

The first moments of the game were dictated by the home side, but their early spells of possession didn't cause North Leigh any concern. An early corner delivered by North Leigh's midfielder was met by their towering centre back Nathan Simms who headed slightly over. Due to his height, this caused Berkhamsted problems throughout the match as North Leigh's set pieces fulfilled a similar pattern. Shortly after this the ball broke to Ross Adams on the edge of the box and his delicate through ball was met by Matt Bateman who tucked a right footed effort underneath the North Leigh goalkeeper. Immediately after the restart, Berkhamsted mounted on the pressure and James Towell utilised his agility on the wing to beat his marker and whip in a delightful cross which was met by creative spark Adams whose effort crashed against the underside of the crossbar. A swift counter attack by North Leigh followed this and Henry Landers' scuffed shot was deflected into the back of the net by Berkhamsted centre back Liam McCrohan after it looped over a helpless James Weatherill. After a hectic first quarter of an hour, the tempo of the game steadied. Both teams were growing into the game but the next significant chance once again fell to Adams after a goalmouth scramble in North Leigh's six-yard box was eventually sliced over by the Berkhamsted playmaker. A few minutes before half time, Berkhamsted's pressure finally took it's toll as some highly impressive one touch football was finished off from outside the box by Will Summerfield as his thunderous left foot strike clipped the post on the way past North Leigh's goalkeeper. Once play was resumed, the referee blew the half time whistle, breaking up Berkhamsted's momentum in the process as they went into the break one goal ahead. 

As the second half began, North Leigh started to create chances they weren't able to do in the first half, causing Berkahmsted to defend in large numbers. Eddie Stevens delivered another superb set piece which Simms managed to connect with but once again resulted in a goal kick, however, these set pieces were giving Berkhamsted huge problems as nobody could compete with Simms in the air. As the game continued, more space was developing and Stevens took advantage of this, hitting a right footed shot towards Berkhamsted's goal which Weatherill just managed to parry away from danger. One of the few times Berkhamsted attacked they gained themselves a corner. Previous deliveries had been poor but this time Danny Murphy curled in a nice ball which was flicked on by Bateman and nestled into the far corner. Bateman had secured his second goal of the game and whirled towards the assister to celebrate a potentially crucial three points. North Leigh manager Darren James was furious with how easily Bateman was allowed to score, especially knowing how dangerous his side had been from their own set pieces. As the clock ticked on, North Leigh carried on pushing for an unlikely two goals which would earn them a point. Berkamsted defended well and Steve Bateman's intelligent substitutions meant fresh energy wouldn't allow North Leigh to get back into the game. As the referee blew the full time whistle, Berkhamsted supporters cheered after watching their team put on an impressive display which had earned them a third consecutive victory in the league. An entertaining game saw both sides endure dominate spells, but North Leigh couldn't make the most of their chances and meant they finished the day one place off the bottom with Berkhamsted in 6th, seeming to have adapted well to life in the Evo-Stik Division One Central.