#12 - Berko fall to first league defeat of the season

Berkhamsted aimed to continue their fine form and make it seven wins in a row against an exciting Ware side. 

Berko, who started the day top of the Southern League Central Division One, were aiming to beat a Ware side who had been narrowly defeated by Welwyn Garden City in midweek. 

After seven wins in a row, including most recently an impressive penalty victory over Chesham United, Berko manager Chris Devane and his players would've been feeling confident heading into this fixture. 

The opening minutes showcased Berko's intent as they piled the pressure on Ware almost immediately when Alie Bangura fizzed in a cross towards James Verney, who forced a good save from Bradley Robinson, the Ware goalkeeper. 

Berko continued to create chances which resulted in plenty of corners, but nothing clear-cut enough to give the Comrades the lead. 

Ware's finest moment of the first half an hour came when a cut back reached onrushing midfielder Thomas Bruno who struck a thunderous effort towards goal which was bravely blocked by Berko's captain Josh Chamberlain. 

Shortly after, Ware defender Christopher Arthur was booked by referee Robert Claussen for pulling Bangura's shirt who was causing the full-back plenty of problems with his pace. 

After his heroics to keep the game at 0-0 a few minutes prior, Chamberlain picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and attempted an audacious lob from almost 40-yards out which hit the post and spared the Ware's goalkeepers blushes. 

Despite all of Berko's pressure and good work, Ware managed to take the lead a couple of minutes before half time against the run of play through Taufee Skandari. A looping ball into the box proved too difficult to deal with for the Berko defence as Skandari pounced and scrambled the ball in at the far post, giving Ware a precious lead at half time. 

That goal just before the break meant Ware came out rejuvenated in the second half as Arthur almost doubled the away sides lead straight away with an effort that crashed against the crossbar. 

With less chances being created and Ware keeping possession well, Berko decided to make a change as they brought off Verney, who had just gone down with a head injury, and replaced him with Phillip Draycott. 

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Berko goalkeeper Xavier Comas Leon made an exceptional save from a free-kick which he managed to tip onto the post and keep the home side in the game. 

A final roll of the dice from Berko saw them switch to three at the back to try and get more bodies in the box as they desperately searched for an equaliser. 

Despite the relentless pressure from Berko in the dying embers of the game, they weren't able to find a goal and the referee blew his whistle for full time, meaning Ware were taking home three well-earned points and sitting fifth in the table. 

A disappointing result for Berko but a courageous performance nonetheless saw them lose their unbeaten start to the season in the league, finishing the day in second place, two points behind leaders North Leigh with five games in hand.