Langford bounce back to beat Arlesey Reserves

A poor first half offered no real quality from either side. It was SSML Division One bottom side Arlesey who took an early lead when a long ball forward reached Tony Williams, their best player on the day, who outpaced the home defence to slot home after four minutes.

Langford were woeful and could not put passes together and it was the same move a, long ball to Williams that he put away with some aplomb, that doubled the visitor’s lead.

This jolted the Reds into some action, and following a run from Deon Putnam, Dale Turney drove home to reduce the arrears. Arlesey almost scored again on the break but a Langford defender blocked a fierce shot.

The home side’s half time team talk and reshuffle paid off when, in the 47th minute, James Potter flicked the ball to Connor Waite who tapped in from eight yards to level the scores.

Although Langford never quite found their good form of late, they gradually pushed Arlesey Reserves back and restricted them to long ball breaks.

The Reds’ pressure paid off when an Arlesey defender misheaded in his own six-yard box, forcing a save from Alfie Hickman who could only push the ball to Jason Penman who thumped the ball in from close range.

It took the home team 76 minutes to get the lead, but only two more to increase it, and effectively kill the game, when sub Pat Daly found Stephen Brooks, he beat a defender, rounded the keeper and slotted home for Langford’s fourth.

Langford: Karl Gudgin, Stephen Redmond (Capt), Lewis Ellis, Connor Waite, Michael Moss, Tyler Ingham, Deon Putnam, Dale Turney, James Potter, Jason Penman, Stephen Brooks.

Subs: Brandon James (used), Craig Meyrick, Pat Daly (used), Tom Ryan.