Langford left with work still to do after Ath loss

Three of the bottom four have a significant number of games in hand over the Reds who will feel a few more victories are required to secure a more comfortable lower midtable position by the end of the campaign.

The game kicked off at Forde Park in bright sunshine on a warm afternoon and both teams began playing like they were out on a stroll in the countryside. The resulting contest was mainly in midfield with no chances being created by either side.

It was not until the 37th minute that Langford’s John Vooght had the first shot of the match straight at Nick Bennion in the Buckingham goal.

The Reds picked up more possession but never threatened or looked like scoring. Then in the 45th minute Buckingham’s Jack Carter had only the second shot of the game which Adam Lawrence pushed away for a corner, the half ending goalless.

Buckingham started to play a longer game when they turned around and in the 52 minute Matt Cruse latched onto a long ball and outran the Langford defence to shoot home.

Buckingham continued with the same tactic and two minutes later achieved the same result with Cruse netting his and Buckingham’s second.

The visitors continued to press and Simon King squandered an open goal when he missed the ball completely from five yards out.

In the 64th minute David Tembua, on from the bench, picked up the ball wide in his own half, sped down the wing and cut into the penalty area beating four players on the way. He then crossed to Stephen Brooks who shot home from 12 yards out to give the Reds a lifeline.

The game ebbed and flowed until Cruse found King in space to put the game beyond Langford’s reach.

The Reds travel to Winslow on Saturday in the SSML Division One.

Langford: Adam Lawrence, Dean Walton, Ross Scotney, Luke Nicholl, Ben Stocker, Sean Murray, Ryan Nicholl, Stephen Brooks, John Vooght, Sean McMonagle, Lee Pateman.

Subs: David McGuinness, Nathan Mallett (used), Allie Jaward, David Tembua (used), Matt Kenneford (used).