Kings Langley were subjected to a night of chaos at Harlow Town when the match
officials raised concerns over the condition of the artificial pitch due to lifting after
another heatwave. After lengthy deliberations the match finally kicked off twenty five
minutes late and with visiting management still voicing concerns.

Joe Dearman had a painful return to his old club, being substituted through injury after
a mere five minutes, but Kings shrugged off this set back and five minutes later BJ
Christie showed why Steve Heath has been pursuing his services for twelve months
by rising imperiously to head home Louie Collier’s corner and give Kings a lead that
they looked likely to build upon.

However, the pitch certainly played a part in the hosts’ equaliser, as a long looping
ball down the middle held up upon its first bounce, catching the advancing Haf Al
Droubi in two minds. Keeper, attacker and defender came together in an untidy heap,
but the home player had appeared to control the ball with his hand. The referee
pointed to the spot, the assistant intervened, but the decision stood, much to the joy of
the vociferous home support and the dismay of visiting players and followers. Reece
Simpson dispatched the penalty and Kings now had a game on their hands as the
impetus swung.

A stunning drive from Christie was inches over, but Town were chasing and harrying
for every ball, with an exuberance that left three Langley players requiring attention.
No cautions were issued, but when the tables were turned, Henry Dudley was the
recipient of the game’s first yellow.

The second half saw Harlow up the pressure and it was no real surprise when a long
ball into the box was touched home by Jak Zielinski in the 75th minute to give them a
lead that they were not to relinquish. It was a reward for their willingness to cross the
ball first time at every opportunity, a tactic that Kings seemed unable to reproduce.
With the now seemingly obligatory ten minutes added, Kings were still unable to find a
way through, a task that became impossible when Kings night of misery was complete
as Jamie Ovington received a straight red for attempting an overhead kick that left a
defender requiring lengthy physio attention and Christie was sent to the sin bin for
dissent in the dying minutes.