Harry in a Hurry

Harry Crawford was keen to show Kings what they’d been missing during his bench warming start to the season, as Langley dominated a tetchy Hertfordshire derby that left Hitchin still seeking their first league victory. Ryan Jackett continued with his dual striker formation as Crawford partnered Mitchell Weiss up front, while Gary Connolly returned to the defence for the rested Lloyd Doyley as the only change from Saturday.

The early stages saw Kings asking the questions as a Crawford shot was deflected over for a corner and Gary Connolly picked out a centrally placed Roddy Collins with a cross, only for his powerful shot to clear the bar by inches. The pressure was increasing and paid off on seventeen minutes when Kane Farrell’s low cross found Mitchell Weiss with his back to goal ten yards out. The striker had the presence of mind to feint over the ball, leaving the well placed Max Hercules to drive a ground hugging shot into the net and Kings had the breakthrough they so wanted.

There was a different kind of drama as the half hour mark approached with the unfortunate referee pulling up and unable to continue and after a break approaching ten minutes, assistant David Nicholson took his place and Kings’ sixteen year old webmaster Danny Knights was entrusted with the flag on the western touchline. For Langley, the break was incidental, as they took up where they left off and a Harry Crawford fierce shot was blocked on the line by a defender’s body in a place that caused many a spectator to wince! Eight minutes after entering the fray, Mr. Nicholson was called upon to judge an aerial clash between Lewis Barker and Gary Connolly that left the latter prone and had no hesitation in showing the Canary a straight red.

Eight minutes into the second half, Kings delivered what they hoped was the killer blow as a corner from Max Hercules was chipped back into the danger area by Callum Adebiyi, finding the ubiquitous Crawford, who shifted position to carve out a pathway through a crowded box with a well-placed shot into the far corner. However, Town had other ideas, as the introduction of Charlie Thake was having a physical effect up front and his impressive shot led to a corner on the hour, from which Melvin Minter was unable to gather a header and Joe Guage stabbed the loose ball home. Kings were in no mood to surrender their advantage though and Hitchin hopes of salvage lasted a mere eight minutes before they put the result beyond doubt. A flowing move saw Collins set Farrell away on the left, who performed a neat one-two with Hercules and delivered the perfect cross for Charlie Pattison’s glancing header to beat Horlock.

It was a welcome three points for Langley, who move back into the top half of the table, a first win over their l local rivals at the sixth time of asking and a demonstration that Saturday’s epic win was no flash in the pan.

By Roy Mitchard