The popular striker led the line in a one-sided Division One Midlands finale at the Broadwater ground, where Jamie Towers and substitute Shay Morgan also scored in a comprehensive but hard-working victory.

Manager Jason Cadden made several changes with Tuesday's play-off semi-final against Rushall Olympic in mind. Ben Mackey and Aaron Parkinson were left at home, while Guy Sanders, James Husband and Scott Hadland sat on the bench.

Josh Blake returned after suffering a fractured jaw on Easter Monday while Liam Reynolds started for the first time since recovering from a knee injury. It was Thompson who shone in the re-jigged line-up though.

With only six minutes gone a superb Towers cross tempted Town keeper Michael Underwood off his line and Thompson climbed highest to head the ball into the empty net.

Towers was heavily involved two minutes later as the ball pinged around the six yard box. Thompson got in a shot that Underwood saved with his feet, but the striker tucked in the rebound.

Another tantalising low cross from Towers was inches away from Blake and the onrushing Robbie Beard. Thompson had two more shots saved and defender Adam Cooper drew another stop from Underwood.

The goal of the match arrived on 20 minutes when Martin Hier's ball to the right flank was collected by Towers in full flight and the wing-back hammered a fine drive with the outside of his right foot.

Berkhamsted barely threatened. Richard Morris was untroubled by a Luke Bartlett free-kick on a rare forward foray.

Brakes might have had a penalty when Beard was pulled down in the area, but the referee waved play on. Marsden showed top-class control at speed to put in a driven cross, but it hit Thompson on the shin and bounced into the keeper's hands.

Thompson completed his hat-trick by whacking the ball into the roof of the net after racing on to a reynolds ball over the top of the defence on 74 minutes.

Andrew Mullins forced Morris to save at the foot of the post and Ian Brumwell hit the side netting late on, but that was about it from the home side.

For Brakes Shay Morgan surged into the box before smacking a shot against the crossbar. He grabbed his first Brakes goal with six minutes left, side-footing home at the far post from a cross by fellow substitute James Husband - making his 100th appearance for the club.

Brakes host fifth-placed Rushall Olympic in the play-off-semi-finals at the New Windmill on Tuesday (7.45pm). Extra time and penalties will be used if neccessary.

Brakes: Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Ryan Parisi, Adam Cooper, Martin Hier, Craig Dutton, Liam Reynolds (Marcus Jackson 73), Justin Marsden (Shay Morgan), Robbie Beard, Martin Thompson (James Husband 73), Josh Blake. Subs not used: Scott Hadland, Guy Sanders. Att 231.