Steve Heath recalled Max Bustamante and Mark Riddick for the injured duo of Kyal Williams and Adam Martin, needing to make two changes from the side that won in the cup at Eastbourne United.

Berko got off to a flier with Riddick heading his first goal for the club from a corner to give them the lead in the 3rd minute, the keeper’s hand not being enough to keep the ball out. However, Alvechurch, under their caretaker manager were moving the ball quickly and Ben Cassidy and Jaanai Gordon went close. They got an equaliser when a through ball split the centre backs and Kai George ran on to net in the 16th minute. He was denied another goal by a Jamie Head save. Bustamante went down in the penalty area under a challenge but the match officials waved play on when the crowd were expecting a penalty for The Comrades.

The goal of the game came when Anthony Ball went down the right and crossed for Edu to slot past 27 cap Bermudan international Dale Eve with a 15 yard shot on 37 minutes. The home crowd were fuming when in first half stoppage time the visitors were awarded a penalty. There was no doubt that there was a foul, but the debate was whether the full back Charlie Smith brought Gordon down inside the area or outside. Gordon stuttered in his run up but converted the spot kick himself with a low shot past Head at the canal end to send the sides in level.

Both sides went for the winner but the second half was to prove goalless and much tighter on chances than the first half. Steve Heath brought on Tom Silford, back after missing games with injury, and James Towell who was cup tied last week. Nathan Frater also came on and got in a contre temps off the ball with centre half Abel Alibi. Both got yellow cards and the game resumed with a dropped ball.

It was Alvechurch’s first point on the road this season. Berko’s point was enough to climb up two places above AFC Sudbury and St Ives Town. However, they remain in the drop zone as Kettering Town got a 96th minute goal for a draw.

Berkhamsted:
Head; Ball, Smith, Newton, McClelland, Riddick , Bustamante, Frederick (Silford), Edu (Frater), Toomey , Johnson (Towell).
Subs not used: Luwero and Austin.
Attendance: 254

Adam Martin hopes to be back for Tuesday’s league game at Royston Town. Kyal Williams is more likely to be back for the Emirates FA Cup tie at AFC Totton on Saturday in the 3rd qualifying round. The coach leaves the ground at 10:30 am and supporters should see Steve Davis if they want to go.

Berko’s under 18 side have been drawn at home in their 3rd FA Youth cup tie of the season . They will play Slough Town on Monday 2 October. That was their reward for coming back from a being one down at half time to knock out Oxhey Jets 2-1. George Rice and Cameron Dallas getting Berko’s goals after the interval.

Berko’s Ladies side got their first point of the league season with a 3-3 draw at Flitwick Eagles. They are at home to Harpenden Town on Sunday afternoon.