Berkhamsted cruised into the quarter finals of the Division 2 Cup with a comfortable win over Caddington at Broadwater on Saturday (September 19).

New signing from Tokyngton Manor, Russell Chandler made his debut at right back, but like the rest of the home defence he was hardly tested all afternoon by Caddington. It was one of three changes as Mick Vipond had to reshuffle his side with Jon Davies unavailable and James Armstrong still suspended.

At the other end, Pete Flaherty in the Caddington goal was kept busy and he did well to save when Steve Flain broke through. It was Flain who provided the cross from a corner for Berko take the lead, with Jamie Gavin meeting it to net his first for the club in the 25th minute.

Flaherty blocked another shot from Flain and then Flain put an inviting ball across the face of the goal but nobody could apply the finishing touch. Tony Burnett beat a couple of men and ran on to shoot low and hard but just the wrong side of the far post, with Flaherty beaten.

The assistant referee spoted Burnett being fouled as he tried to work his way along the byline at the railway end in the 35th minute. Flain shot home the resulting penalty to score for the second week running.

Gavin might have added to the tally, but Flaherty’s legs again came to the visitors’ rescue. Another Burnettt shot was tipped over the bar, whilst at the canal end Adrian Millard volleyed wide from a rare Caddington corner.

Berko could afford to take their foot off the gas in the second half as their clean sheet was never in doubt. Substitutes Adam Mead and Lee Groves came on as Tony Burnett rejoined the injury list. Flain was the main danger man and he brought down a bouncing ball and shot on the turn, but this time Flaherty’s chest kept the ball out.

It was Berko’s fourth win on the trot. After the final whistle Berko found they were still top of the league as Padbury United failed to take advantage of the Comrades being in cup action, losing their game in hand at Totternhoe. Berko will now travel to Pitstone and Ivinghoe in the quarter final of this cup on a date to be arranged.

Team: Milner, Chandler, Boad, Wilson, Bailey, J.Gavin, Gerrard, Hawes, Flain, Burnett (Mead), Rodrigoe (Groves).

Subs not used: Pienaar.

Berko’s reserve side got their first point of the season, drawing 3-3 at the 61 FC at Luton on Saturday to move off the bottom of the table.