The last time Berkhamsted played Windsor both sides turned up with under strength teams (with Berkhamsted fielding seven second team players), in a game in which Berkhamsted managed to sneak a 4-3 win. This time, the two teams vying for promotion, turned up to the Cow Roast Arena with full strength sides.

The opening exchanges were a fairly cagey affair, but after the first round of substitutions, the home side began to put pressure on the visitors goal. At regular periods, the home side won short corners, some closely missing their target, while other were ones to forget.
During one of the rare defensive scrambles Matt Prowse managed to dislocate a finger, meaning coach Ed Holderness had to drop back into a reshuffled back line.

This seemed to spur on Berkhamsted who now pressed for an opening goal. After 20 minutes of wondering if it was going to be one of those days, Pete Allam at last opening the scoring with a short corner shot straight down the middle, finding the smallest of gaps between the keepers pads.

This seemed to deflate Windsor as Berkhamsted now took complete control of the game. It was no surprise that after waves of attacks that Australia bound Tom Moorhouse finished off a fine move to double the lead.
With 5 minutes to go to the break Berkhamsted looked to see out the half. This allowed Windsor to push forward, and they were at last awarded a couple of their own short corners. An excellent save from Jay Cremin, with the last play of the half left the score 2-0 going into the break.

As expected Windsor came out fighting, and did their best to break past a stubborn home defence. Chance for them were few and far between, and the home side were always dangerous on the break, again winning a number of short corners. Indeed, it look like from one of these that Allan was going to extend the lead with a flick heading for the top corner, until a unlucky touch from Toby Payton sent the ball high of the goal.

It was no surprise however, that halfway into the second period Berkhamsted extended their lead. After a fine save from the keeper and with a number of Windsor defenders being left prone on the pitch, Pete Allam was given time and space to pick his spot to seal the victory.

To their credit Windsor kept on trying and with 3 minutes to go scored a consolation goal from a penalty corner.

Oli Johnson then took the ball into the corner and played by himself for the remaining time, much to the frustration of Windsor, to leave the final score Berkhamsted 3 Windsor 1.

Men of the match were Johnson and Savage (Junior), but the whole team should be proud of their best display of the season so far, against a very good Windsor side.

DOD went to our regular favourite Ben Peat, but not being at fines I have no idea why. At the start of the day the favourite for this prestigious award was Jack Osborne for turning up at the Emirates and missing the game of the day !!