Late Goal Sinks Reds - Langford vs. Rayners Lane

One of the many planes that soared over Forde Park

Work last weekend meant I had to settle for Premier League action at West Ham (which was pretty decent in the end) but it was really good to get back to proper football this weekend. The weather had also improved and although I was a little wary, a prompt reply from Langford on Twitter meant a stress free journey from South London. I'd never really considered Langford due to relatively infrequent buses but once I worked out it was walkable from Arlesey it jumped to the top of the list. Their opponents in this South Midlands Division One game were Rayners Lane who when I visited Tithe Farm ground were in The Hellenic League but they have since acquired a plastic pitch, a new clubhouse and have moved over to The Spartan League and were looking for promotion.

Shortened pre game rituals

Rayners Lane get in on goal via a little nick but the eventual shot is dragged wide of the target. Langford then get in on goal themselves, forcing the Rayners Lane keeper into a save at his near post. The visitors come even closer as a shot from the edge of the box following a pull back hits the bar. Rayners Lane continue to create chances without taking the lead, this time the forward puts the ball wide from space after a corner. For all the chances Rayners Lane create, it is the hosts who take the lead, forcing the ball home from close range just before half time.

Langford defending a Rayners Lane corner

As expected, Rayners Lane gun forward from the off and a shot from the edge of the box goes just over. They are given a way to pull level as the forward is chopped down and the resulting penalty is put away despite the Langford keeper getting a hand to the ball. Rayners Lane continue to have a lot of the ball but resolute defending from the Langford players denies them any serious chances. That is until the final moments of the match. The forward gets ahead of his man and he pokes the ball home at the near post to seal a two one win.

Rayners Lane attacking the clubhouse end

As I mentioned at the start, you can in about forty minutes (even quicker if go down Church Road, past the lakes) walk from Arlesey station which is again forty minutes away from Kings Cross. The reason I took the long way was to take in a couple of pubs to break up the walk. The best by some distance was The Engineers Arms which had eight hand pulls on as well as the sports channels, a real cracker. The Crown and The White Horse were both fine but weren't on the same level. The football ground is at the very end of Henlow (I didn't actually see any of Langford) and is a very welcoming set up. The clubhouse behind the goal and where you can watch the game from had the usual selection drinks. Another great afternoon of South Midlands League footy in Bedfordshire.

Side on view of the stands