Berkhamsted slipped up at London Colney in their opening Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division game of the season on Tuesday night as they lost 2-0.

The Comrades had the first chance after a fine ball from Dan Jones released Connor Deadman on the right, but his shot flew across the face of the goal.

Colney’s Greg Shaw opened the scoring for the home side with a header shortly before half-time.

Alex Campana looked the man most likely to score for the Comrades as he dribbled through a few challenges but former Berkhamsted reserve stopper Tom Gowans saved well.

The away side were chasing the game and were caught by a late breakaway goal when Jon Clements’ low shot doubled Colney’s lead.

Berkhamsted had previously been knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle as they lost 1-0 to Cogenhoe United on Saturday.

The only goal of the game arrived just before the break as United forced a series of corners. Matt Long was first to react to a ball that was not cleared and put the United Counties League side ahead.

Max Farrelly had to go to hospital for 16 stitches with a cut beneath his eye after he went up with a United player for a high ball. Danny Ryan came forward and headed the ball but caught his teammate in a sickening clash of heads.

Carl Tasker made the only meaningful save of the day when he tipped a shot onto the crossbar as United counter-attacked in the closing stages.

Berkhamsted travel to Holmer Green on Saturday but their next home game will now be on August 20 against London Tigers as the match was brought forward to replace the scheduled Oxhey Jets tie due to their continued FA Cup involvement.

Tring Athletic kicked off their new league season with a 1-0 victory over Leverstock Green on Tuesday night.

Green paid the price for a first-half penalty miss for their second game in a row as they lost by a late goal.

Six minutes from time substitute Chris Stapleton broke into the box and headed home what proved to be the winner.

The game had looked as though it was heading for a stalemate before Athletic broke quickly up the park to seal the three points.

Tring suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of Desborough Town on Saturday.

The first clear chance came midway through the second half when Stapleton produced a fine shot that went agonisingly wide of the post.

A draw seem the likely outcome with Town showing little attacking ambition and seemingly intent on getting a replay.

But in the 81st minute the visitors stunned Athletic when John Dean fired a shot into the far corner to break the deadlock.

Athletic tried desperately to find an equaliser and won four corners in the last few minutes but they were unable to breach the visitors’ defence.

Next up for Tring is a trip to London Colney this weekend.

Green were also victim to an extra preliminary round FA Cup exit as they lost 2-1 to Colney on Saturday after conceding a late goal in the 82nd minute.

Jon Clements scored twice to send the away side through as George Biggadike netted Green’s only goal.

Biggadike headed home in the 34th minute after Curtis Davidson floated a free-kick into the box.

The visitors however equalised 15 minutes into the second half as Jon Clements scored at the second time of asking before adding another eight minutes from time.

Green are at home to St Margaretsbury on Saturday.