HAREFIELD United crashed to their first defeat of the Spartan South Midlands League season last night.
United were beaten 3-1 away at Berkhamsted on what was a difficult evening for the visitors.
The hosts looked favourites from the off, camping themselves in the Hares' half and they consolidated their early superiority in the 13th minute as Jamie Gavin lashed in from a corner to leave Jamie Peacock helpless.
Riccardo Cannon, last weekend's hat-trick hero, then went close to levelling proceedings but Berkhamsted keeper Carl Tasker denied him with a brilliant reflex save.
Alex McCarthy doubled the home side's lead early in the second half as his shot into the ground had too much for Peacock to handle.
After Tasker again denied the dangerous Cannon, Berkhamsted sealed victory with a low shot from Jordon Frederick to put the result beyond any doubt.
Tom Howe did grab a late consolation for the Hares with a rasping drive but this was not ideal preparation for this weekend's crucial FA Cup First Preliminary Round tie with Woodford United.
Elsewhere, a Rob Byron goal had little impact as Hillingdon Borough were convincingly beaten 4-1 in their first home game of the season by Hanwell Town.
Hillingdon remain pointless at the start of the campaign after the weekend's 2-1 defeat at Stotfield. They will be hoping to put their league blues aside temporarily when they take on Leverstock Green in the FA Cup this weekend.
