The Rescuers

Jamie Calvin, Danny Warwick, Owen Deamer, Jack Halcomb and Charlie Webster may not be names that roll off the tongue of the Langley faithful, but last night the five local footballers stepped up for an injury hit Kings in this Challenge Cup tie, where the scoreline was incidental to the backcloth of drama that preceded the game. The competition has long struggled to inspire interest in Clubs or supporters and the reasons why were illustrated on a rainy Autumn night that attracted a gathering (a crowd would be a misnomer) that failed to cover the cost of the officials and saw Kings committed to a match with an injury list of nine first team players with an important F A Cup tie four days away. The only possible response was to sign five players with hours to spare and they did Kings more than proud as the Langley side threatened to swamp the ODs for the first twenty minutes, but eventually succumbed to a goal on the half hour, a penalty on the cusp of halftime and a late break when down to ten men. Jamie Calvin, Danny Warwick, Owen Deamer and Jack Halcomb joined Kane Farrell and debutant goalkeeper Jake Victor in a new look defence, Charlie Webster was a second half substitute and Stevie Ward returned from a loan on the wing. Unfortunately, the fixture did have resultant penalties – and not just the one on the pitch! Stevie Ward was forced off after 26 minutes after aggravating a back injury and Harry Crawford was sent off for a second yellow in the second half. Having been booked along with Billy Baird for an early altercation between the two, Crawford was shown his second and third cards for a flash of frustration in the 76th minute, having failed to get the message. The inevitable resultant suspension will not take effect for Saturday’s game, but would do so for any replay. The striker had been heavily involved in everything Kings did in that first twenty minute period, when a Kane Farrell shot was tipped over, a Mitchell Weiss ‘cross’ shaved the top of the bar, a Matty Campbell-Mhlope shot was inches over and Crawford himself sent a close range header into Dan Green’s arms before forcing the keeper into a flying save. However, the experienced Dunstable side gradually got back into the game, with Taylor Rhiney hitting a post and although Leon Cashman’s low drive could be said to be against the run of play, the penalty for a trip on Martell Powell, converted by Newman Carney put them in the driving seat. The second half was a long one, in miserable weather and although the patchwork team looked the equals of their opponents, the reduction to ten men allowed Martell Powell to grab an opportunist’s goal towards the end of an unusual, but strangely positive night.