Kings returned victorious from Merthyr’s magnificent Penydarren Park stadium in this crucial six pointer that sees them pull clear of the relegation zone for the first time this season. It was testimony to the team’s resilience as they endured freezing conditions and mists before their eyes on the arduous four hour journey just to get to Merthyr…..and that was inside the team coach.

In truth, this second successive 1-0 away victory can be fairly described as a ‘smash and grab’ win but with Kings being on the wrong end of similar score lines on no fewer than eight occasions themselves, they can now start to believe that the Law of Averages has some credibility. In fact just one moment of sublime quality was enough to secure the points amid a sea of mediocrity where all too often the tenseness of the occasion inhibited any inclination for more adventurous play.

It was the home team that started the brighter and almost immediately won a dangerously sited free kick which whistled narrowly wide as the hosts looked to seize the initiative from the outset. As the game progressed, Kings needed some resolute defending, in which Jorell Johnson was again conspicuous, to keep the hosts at bay. Their attacking ambitions were limited to only occasional forays into home territory although a rare defensive lapse let debutant Eitel Goueth in to fire a fierce drive just over but that was as good as it got for Kings in a lack-lustre first half.

Kings started the second period with more intent and soon introduced another debutant in Aryan Tajbakhsh to bolster the midfield. However, creative opportunities were still proving elusive as the home side gradually gained attacking momentum. Only a superb saving tackle by Jorell Johnson foiled Curtis Hutson as he was about to pull the trigger and in rapid succession Alfie Marriott tipped a rising drive over the bar, followed by Jorell Johnson clearing off the line. With twenty minutes to go manager Chris Cummins sent on Joe Lawal. The youngster’s impact was almost instant as he raced clear down the right and delivered a low cross which eluded the home defence and found the supporting Jamie Jellis.

The ebullient midfielder still had plenty to do as he cleverly sidestepped a challenging defender before curling the ball unerringly just inside the upright. It was a brilliant goal and the resultant celebrations saw the goal hero engulfed by the visiting Langley faithful as the scent of victory became an intoxicating aroma. The strike stunned Merthyr but to their credit they threw everything at Kings in the quest for parity, but the visitors were in no mood to relinquish their advantage in this crucial battle for survival and saw out the remaining minutes with efficient game management.