On Saturday we had a short 23 mile round trip to Kings Langley for a local derby which surprisingly, considering how close we are, was only our 12th encounter against them. On a superb pitch the game served up a thrilling spectacle for the crowd of 200 (which included a big contingent of our supporters) with plenty of goals, excitement and changes in fortune and it was sods law that 3 of their goals including the winner were scored by ex Athletic players.

Our hosts surprisingly lost 3-0 at Wormley Rovers the previous week so we knew that Kings would want to get back to winning ways straight away and that we would be in for a tough match at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium. However, we came into the game on a decent run of form and we started superbly and dominated the early stages of the game playing some lovely football on a very good surface.

After only 9 minutes Max Hercules cut in from the right wing and fired a well struck shot that keeper Connor Coulson saved well with his legs. Soon afterwards Max lofted a lovely pass to find Blake Argent who rounded the keeper and was unlucky to see his goal bound shot cleared off the line by James Towell who did well to get back and cover his keeper.

Chances were coming our way with Dylan Whitelock doing well to get on the end of Dylan Fitzpatric’s cross but again a defender was well placed to clear the danger. It was then Dylan Whitelock’s turn to set up a scoring opportunity when he picked out Max Hercules with a cross from the bye line which Max struck well forcing the keeper into another good save.

A goal finally arrived in the 18th minute and was fully deserved when Dylan Fitzpatrick sent Max Hercules away down the right and his cross was slotted home by Dyan Whitelock to put us into the lead. Score 0-1.

Kings went close in the 25th minute when a corner was headed just wide but their manager decided to make an early change bringing on their leading scorer and former Athletic player Louie Collier who would go on and play a key part in the game.

After a slow start our hosts responded strongly to the early setback and looked particularly threatening especially from set pieces although we defended well until 2 minutes before half time when a lovely move involving Kieran Turner who set up left back James Towell to scored the equaliser. Score 1-1.

But we showed great character to reclaim the lead within a minute when a pass up the right wing from Dylan Fitzpatrick was missed by Kings Captain Alfie Osborne who slipped over and Dylan Whitelock from a tight angle smashed a shot into the roof of the net for his 2nd of the match and 11th of the season to send us in at half time with our noses in front. HT Score 1-2.

We knew we would be in for a tough second half and Kings were presented with an equaliser within 11 minutes of the restart with a penalty for a foul on Kieran Turner which Louie Collier converted. Score 2-2.

The writing looked to be on the wall for us when Collier put his side ahead for the first time in the game in the 64th minute after we failed to deal with a long ball and the former Athletic player took full advantage to score his second of the game. Score 3-2.

We could easily have crumbled against such a good side like KL but we showed we are made of sterner stuff and drew level in the 75th minute with a goal from Harry Shepherd who was making a welcome return to the team after a period out injured. Headers from Jack Harvey and Dylan Fitzpatrick then a sumptuous flick from Dylan Whitelock sent Shep through and he showed his absence from injury had not dulled his scoring instincts as he calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper to level the scores. Score 3-3.

Six minutes later Shep and Max linked up well before the former went mighty close to regaining the lead when his shot was superbly saved by Connor Coulson who managed to tip the ball round the post. But it wasn’t to be for us as a minute later Kieran Turner curled home a superb shot to put his side back in front again. Score 4-3.

The one thing you can bank on with our players is that they won’t give up and they pushed forward looking for another equaliser but it wasn’t to be and we went down to a very close defeat. FT Score 4-3.

A great performance from the lads especially as we were missing a few key players as they went toe to toe with a team lying in second place in the table and will be amongst the favourites for promotion.

The Result was disappointing and we certainly deserved to get something out of the game and at the moment it feels like we are clutching a slippery pole after climbing up to 8th place and just 2 points off the play off places after a good run of 4 successive league wins and clean sheets only to find ourselves dropping down one place to ninth but now 5 points adrift of our competitors. It is clear that small margins make a difference and there will be more ups and downs as the season progresses and all we can do is keep plugging away starting with the visit to Colney Heath on Saturday.

TEAM,
TA: Freddie Burroughs, James Kimber, Greg Deer, Mason Clarke, Pablo Kalamaras (Harry Shepherd 61), Blake Argent (Harry Jones 73), Jack Harvey (Capt), Luke Peerless, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Max Hercules, Dylan Whitelock (Bailey Osborne 85). Subs not used: Omar Helmy, Jamie De Beer

Scorers

KL: James Towell (43), Louie Collier (Pen 56, 64), Kieran Turner (85)

TA: Dylan Whitelock (18, 44), Harry Shepherd (75)

Crowd: 200