Berkhamsted produced an outstanding comeback to beat league leaders Bicester 3–1 on March 14

Although the victory was achieved without the team’s regular elder statesman Roger, who was busy conducting an important golfing reconnaissance mission somewhere in Portugal.

Berkhamsted started brightly and dominated the early exchanges.

Despite the pressure, it was Bicester who struck first after eight minutes, sneaking a goal against the run of play to make it 1–0 with their first real attack.

Berkhamsted responded immediately.

Owen, who caused problems all afternoon with his pace and movement, whipped a dangerous ball across the circle and Tom Kenny bundled it over the line for a slightly scruffy but very welcome equaliser.

Ali briefly added some spice to proceedings with a green card, ("if you don't get a green every game you're not trying hard enough") anon but Berkhamsted continued to control the tempo.

The breakthrough arrived when Matt unleashed an outrageous tomahawk strike that flew past the Bicester keeper and into the net to give Berkhamsted a deserved 2–1 lead. Pure striker class.

Owen repeatedly found space at the back post, his positional sense is instinctive and goals will come a plenty, on another day he would have had a hat-trick.

Roger, watching from Portugal, immediately claimed he’d have finished all three — a claim strongly disputed by the rest of the squad.

With the game becoming increasingly feisty, Webb demonstrated some veteran game management to slow Bicester’s momentum, by quietly removing their most dangerous player from the equation for a while — a challenge that combined impeccable timing with just a hint of agricultural enthusiasm?

Berkhamsted sealed the result in dramatic fashion. From a penalty corner, Nigel spun and launched himself into a full diving finish to smash home the third goal prompting jubilant scenes on the sideline, and what can only be described as a modest pitch invasion from Berkhamsted’s traveling supporters. The umpire told the 3 people to get back beyond the sideline! Nigels dog wagged its tail!

Bicester pushed hard late on, earning three penalty corners in the final minutes, but Brett produced three outstanding saves to keep them out. Combined with Raj’s brilliant last-ditch tackle earlier in the game, it capped a superb defensive performance.

The final whistle confirmed a deserved 3–1 victory over the league leaders.

Match Report Simon Webb
DoD Simon Webb (presumably the agricultural tackles)
MoM ??? TBA