Kings Langley Ladies lose out in Welwyn Garden City thriller

Langley Ladies battled bravely on a strength-sapping pudding of a pitch, and were up against it early on as the home side went 1-0 up in eight minutes. With the rain pouring down, Rachael Lee teed up Nicole Barrett for the equaliser on 18 minutes, before the hosts raced into a two-goal lead.

The goals were scored either side of Barrett’s shot being spilled by the keeper and cleared off the line.

The visitors went close again when April Langton’s corner kick fizzed across a packed goalmouth, evading the attack, needing just a touch to score.

The second Kings goal did arrive soon afterwards as Lee set up Barrett again for another goal just on half-time, to keep Langley in touch.

The second half saw Langley have the lion’s share of possession; Amber Harris seeing her shot go just wide after shooting on the turn.

However, just before the hour mark, Welwyn scored against the run of play to restore their two-goal advantage.

Langley didn nott give up and kept pushing forward, with April Langton seeing one of her free-kicks go just wide of the mark, while Phoebe Henderson-Barnes will feel aggrieved as her thunderbolt effort struck the underside of the crossbar and appeared to go over the line, but the goal was not given.

Digging deep again, Jess Earthrowl surged forward from defence and played in Barrett, hunting her hat-trick, but she was denied with a last ditch tackle.

The last of the scoring went to Langley, with Lee cutting in from the left and firing across the keeper.

Kings are next in action on Sunday, March 8, at home to Panshanger Ladies FC. Kick-off is 2pm at High Street Green.