Kings Langley head into the first of three consecutive home games knowing that their season is entering treacherous territory, after defeat to local rivals Leverstock Green last weekend realised the threat of a potential relegation scrap.

With those below them beginning to pick up points, Kings sit only nine points from the drop, with Northwood also having three games in hand in which they’ll hope to close the gap further. Steve Heath’s men handed a lifeline to their local rivals, Levy, on Saturday, falling to a tame 3-0 defeat that saw the Green climb out of the relegation spots.

The performance was as flat as they come in the sides’ first meeting since the 2014-15 season at Pancake Lane, with the hosts exposing a deep-lying vulnerability at set-pieces to take a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes. It only got worse for the guests, as a self-sabotage back pass extended the arrears to three and goalkeeper Adisorn Connolly saw red for his failed attempt to come and sweep the ball.

Their continued lack of threat going forward will also be a worry. This Saturday will be their final assignment in March, but there may be slim pickings if the club are keen to select a goal of the month winner. In their five games spanning the period so far, they’ve failed to score.

That also spans Steve Heath’s time in charge, and he’ll know they will have to turn that metric around quickly if their fortunes are to change anytime soon. What better time than this weekend, when 13th-placed Hertford Town visit The Orbital Fasteners Stadium.

The Blues scraped past already-relegated North Leigh in their most recent tie, a late Ade Gbolohan strike seeing them to a 2-1 win. The 24-year-old forward is their most prolific goal getter this term, with 13, but it’s a somewhat younger talent that’s making the headlines.

16-year-old Riley Carr looks like switching Hertingfordbury Park for The King Power Stadium come the close of the 2024/25 campaign, with a move to Premier League Leicester City on the cards for the prodigy with 6 goals in his 21 outings in Division One Central so far this season. It’s a squad littered with youth, with fellow 16-year-old Liam Crutchett a regular feature in defence and 17-year-old Louie Carr also recently making the step up.

The reverse fixture ended 0-0, hardly cause for much hope given Kings’ recent record in front of goal, but perhaps Saturday will be the day when the shackles come off and Steve Heath can finally enjoy his first goal back in the dugout, and maybe even a first win.

Bradley Smith may be the man to bring some inspiration, now back with the club for a second loan stint of the season, while Edu Toiny-Pendred will also be desperate to return to the scoresheet in a Kings Langley shirt.

Despite the result, Saturday’s visit to Leverstock Green showed the very best the lower leagues had to offer, with Non League Day yielding Pancake Lane’s largest attendance of the season. The week before saw the Kings Langley faithful turn out in numbers at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium in support of the Best family, and the recent Her Game Too Day also proved a roaring success.

This week, it’s Ned’s Day. The event named in honour of the club’s mascot is keen to encourage young supporters to come along and take in some football, with free entry for all Under 8s. So, bring your kids and get down to the ground for Saturday at 3pm to get behind the boys as they go in search of a vital victory!