Match Report: Kings Langley 1-1 Cirencester Town

Kings Langley got off to the perfect opening day start under new manager Jordan Parkes when returning striker Rene Howe was felled like a mighty oak in the penalty area and arose to convert the spot kick after 5 minutes. The home side looked to be comfortable in their lead, but the Centurions dug in to prevent that buffer being extended, keeper Stuart Nelson saving well from a snapshot on the turn by Cheyce Grant. There was an anxious moment between two of the nine Kings’ debutants on parade, keeper Juliusz Pazio and centre back Will Bishop involved in a misunderstanding, but Harry Burns failed to take advantage. The keeper tipped an Aiden Bennett piledriver round the post in the last minute of the half, but it was Kings who entered the break the happiest.
Luca Robinson set up a great chance for the visitors on the restart, a low cross eluding everyone, but Kings turned up the heat and substitute Michael Gabblah’s point blank header was superbly saved by Nelson. The keeper was in action again, saving at the feet of the goalbound Cheyce Grant before Rene Howe intercepted a pass to burst through and shoot narrowly wide. Fellow sub, the returning Louie Collier, made a right wing run and low cross that Sonny French was inches from converting, but the failure to benefit from any of those opportunities began to hang heavy on the home support. Cirencester had introduced player / coach Nick Peare and as they went all out for the equaliser in the final ten, he was guilty of missing a chance of his own, but he certainly atoned in the final minute, seizing on a quick throw in to rifle the ball into the net with stunning accuracy. It was a disappointing end to a day of high optimism and reminiscent of last season’s very different team often being unable to see out a game, but the skill sets on show today with an exciting blend of youth and experience tell a different story and that coincidence will doubtless be addressed by the management as a priority.

Roy Mitchard