Kings Langley’s search for a first goal and first win under new manager Steve Heath continues after they went down to a late 1-0 defeat at home to in-form Leighton Town on Saturday.
The hosts were on course for a second consecutive goalless draw in Division One Central of the Southern League following their 0-0 stalemate at Ware until three minutes from the end of normal time when Goodlove Oppong struck the decisive blow.
Kings wen into the game without Bently Assiedou and Juud Farrant, who joined long-termers Isaac Pedro and Josh Bryant on the injury list, while James Towell was unavailable.
However, they were boosted by the return of Hemel Town loanee and their leading goalscorer Bradley Smith, with the Tudors deeming a temporary move to Hitchin Town to not be in the player’s best interests.
Backed by a large and vociferous away contingent in the season’s highest home attendance of 483, the Reds started with confidence, using the wings to good effect, but the Langley defence coped with the pressure and it was the home side who had the first chance, a Smith shot saved by George Rose.
Ben Stallard fired just over soon after and at the other end Lynton Goss was forced wide when through.
As a half dominated by defences ground to a close, Darnell Luke came nearest to breaking the deadlock when his fierce shot was fumbled on the goalline by Rose, but the keeper was quick to recover from the danger.
An edge crept into the game in the second period with Town upping the physicality, especially in dealing with Smith, whose terrier-like pace and stamina was causing their defence’s only concern.
Every pass, every loose ball was fiercely contested and one such clash was deemed a penalty just past the hour mark.
Goss drove the ball hard and low to Adi Connolly’s right, but the keeper had guessed correctly and pulled off a superb save, which was greeted with ecstasy by the goal-starved home crowd.
With the atmosphere of the last quarter becoming increasingly fractious, Kings were incensed when a run through the middle by the inspirational Smith was halted by a push from behind that was ignored by a referee now seemingly struggling to control the game.
But the departure of left-back Deago Dunbar-Bonnie at half-time was now creating a threat down the wing exploited by ex-Kings players Anthony Ball and Kyall Williams.
As the last five minutes were entered and with the home fans thinking that a share of the points was perhaps a good reward after all for a courageous performance, the pair combined to present Oppong with a gilt-edged opportunity to take the match, but he managed to miss the open goal.
However, it seemed that the fates were only toying with the long-suffering Kings faithful as their sighs of relief were hardly expelled before an almost identical move gave the wayward striker instant atonement 60 seconds later and this time he made no mistake from close range.
Despite having three strikers on for the six minutes of added time, Kings couldn’t find a way past a resolute defence and were frustrated to the end.
Langley will be aiming to end their goal drought when they travel to AFC Dunstable tomorrow night.
