RESULT GOES WITH THE FORM BOOK AT FORDE PARK

HOME               AWAY             TOTAL 
                   P  W D L GF GA  P  W D L  GF GA  P  W  D L  GF GA PTS   
(23/23)Langford    12 3 1 8 18 31  12 0 2 10 11 34  24 3  3 18 29 65 12   
(6/23)Leverstock G 11 8 1 2 29 13  11 4 3 4  26 22  22 12 4 6  55 35 40

The cold end visited the delightful Forde Park just inside the Bedfordshire border last night to watch Langford host Leverstock Green in a Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division match.

Above - Tree lined Forde Park

As you can see from the league records the host's are having a miserable season and are unfortunately stuck to the bottom of the table whereas the visitors are going well in sixth position and are having a great run in the FA Vase.

Levvy's form at Pancake Lane is very impressive having only lost to Hadley on the opening day of the season and Stotfold on the 30th October. Up until last night's game on the road they had won 4 out of 11 league games with defeats coming at Chalfont St Peter, Tring Athletic, Broxbourne Borough and Kentish Town.

With the cold snap and cup commitments this was their first league game away from home since their 0-2 win at the SSMFL's other Vase heroes Dunstable Town on the 14th December.

Langford, as stated, are rooted to the foot of the table and going into yesterday night's game 12 points off Kentish Town in 21st place. Their home victories had come on the opening day of the season (Holmer Green 2-1), against Hillingdon Borough (5-0!!) on the 25th September and most recently on the 22nd January against Hadley (2-1).

So did the game go with the form book or did Langford spring a surprise??

Unfortunately for the home side Leverstock Green ran out easy winners and never looked like getting anything but the three points without really getting out of first or second gear. Forde Park is a really nice place to watch football and last night was no different despite it being very cold and foggy especially in the first half.

The cold end saw a new Spartan League hero in Langford left back Paul Donnelly. Despite being hit at full pelt in the crown jewels in the opening moments of the game he got straight back up (which every bloke will tell you is very difficult on a normal day but on a cold night almost impossible!!) and continued on with the game. Affectionately called 'MeatHead' by his team mates he appears to be one of many characters that make non-league football a wonderful game to watch.

Levvy were in control from the outset and scored early on. Bekin Culaj was a constant threat on the right hand side and going forward Louis Austin, Charlie Gorman and Lewis Pritchard all impressed the cold end. Three more goals were scored in the second half and true to cold end tradition I missed filming the third.

Langford did get a penalty which appeared a very soft one to give (make your own mind up from the video) which "MeatHead" unluckily blasted down the middle of the goal and was well saved.

From what the cold end saw last night Steve Heath is building a very good young side at Pancake Lane which hopefully for the SSMFL and local football can get through to the Vase Quarter Finals and maybe beyond!

Langford are struggling and need alot of luck to avoid relegation to Division One. Their forward line of Tunde Andermou and Theo Swain may trouble defences on other days with their pace which may help Mark Teeling's side in their battle to beat the drop.

Leverstock Green play again on Thursday night when they welcome Stotfold to Pancake Lane in the Premier Divison Cup Quarter Final. They then travel to Haringey Borough on Saturday in a league fixture. Langford welcome Kingsbury London Tigers to Forde Park on Saturday before travelling to Tring Athletic on the 12th February. After that on the 19th February Stotfold visit in local derby game.

Final Score - Langford 0 Leverstock Green 4
Attendance - 32

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW -