Hartley Wintney boost survival bid with win over fellow strugglers Kings Langley

Hartley Wintney celebrating in their win over Kings Langley. PHOTO: Josie Shipman

Submitted for publication in the Aldershot News & Mail

Hartley Wintney came from behind to claim an important win against Kings Langley on Saturday.

Anthony Millerick, Hartley manager, said: “I feel the team showed a lot of character today. We knew this was a pressure match with three important points at stake.

“Adam Allen took his chances well for the goals.

“We felt we were unlucky during the two previous matches against Chesham United and the Metropolitan Police. However we responded well.

“We got off to a very slow start and Kings were worthy of their lead. However once we started to get into the match we started creating chances.

“I felt we were the better side in the second half and scored a good goal.”

Kings Langley almost took a shock lead after 20 seconds. Jamie Jellis broke down the right and his low cross found Joseph Lawal, who fired wide from close range.

The game was end-to-end with both sides showing attacking enterprise, and it was Kings Langley who went ahead on 14 minutes.

A cross-field ball found Shaqui Forde free and with plenty of space on the right.

The winger cut in and scored with a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Forde again managed to find himself free shortly after, but on this occasion the Row managed to block his shot.

A minute later Kings Langley full-back Alex Lafleur found himself in a goalscoring position, but his shot flew wide.

Hartley had their first real chance on 21 minutes. Good play down the left saw Jordan Edwards cross to Allen, who underhit his shot.

However it beat Kings Langley goalkeeper Alfie Marriott and somehow the visitors manged to scramble the ball off the goal line with help from the foot of the post.

Hartley had a good spell and on 30 minutes Harry Cooksley and Lucian Vine combined well, with the latter unlucky to see his shot deflected wide.

From the resulting corner Vine rose highest but his effort went wide.

The Row continued to press and a minute later a corner from Josh Webb found the head of Shane Hollomby who saw his effort headed off the line.

Hartley pulled level on 44 minutes after a period of pressure, but the goal arrived courtesy of a mistake in the Kings Langley defence.

This allowed Allen to run through and shoot past the onrushing goalkeeper.

In contrast to the opening half, play tightened up considerably after the break. Both defences dominated and chances were at a premium.

Hartley started to gain an edge and finally got the breakthrough on 69 minutes. Substitute Kofi Halliday with his first touches of the ball, got free on the left and his cross was headed home by Allen.

Kings Langley came into the game but were unable to create any clear cut chances.

On 83 minutes Hartley had a chance to increase the lead. Halliday got free on the right and his cross saw Cooksley’s backheel saved by Marriott.

Kings pressed into added time and came close when Arel Amu got free in the Hartley area, but shot wide from a tight angle before the full-time whistle blew to signal a big three points for the side from Hartley Wintney, Hampshire.

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