Langford capitulated in the last fifteen minutes to a spirited performance from Holmer Green, allowing the visitors to record a third successive away League win. Missing a number of players from the midweek victory over Wootton Blue Cross the Reds gave starting berths to Ricki Small (returning from injury) and Andy Pilgrim (just returning!). Mark Whittaker also started in the forward line.

In the opening two minutes Craig Henney so nearly caught the hosts out firing wide after catching out the defence. The game continued with the Reds on top and they took a fifteenth minute lead when a Mark Barnes run into the Green box was halted by a foul and Robert Groves converting the resultant penalty despite keeper Dave Clark getting a fist to the shot.

Langford had opportunities to increase the lead with Mark Whittaker flicking a Ricky Case cross just wide and Lee Pateman also combining well with Case to bring out a good save from Dave Clark. Holmer Green’s equaliser came on the half hour mark. Whittaker giving away a foul on the Reds left about 20 yards out from goal. The free kick floated into the far post where Andy Shed converted a header past Winsor. It took only five minutes for Langford to regain the upper hand. A flowing move saw Lee Pateman’s cross flicked on by Mark Whittaker to enable Robert Groves to side step a defender and fire home his fourth goal of the week. Langford finished the half in control and looking forward to extending the home winning run to five matches.

In the second period the first real chance fell to the visitors with Craig Henney putting his headed from a corner wide. The Reds continued to be the dominant force but unable to extend their lead. A Robert Groves free kick being headed back across goal by Joe Delasalle but no takers and the a Groves – Pateman combination drew a save out of Clark with a Pateman shot. A warning of what was to come when Craig Henney took advantage of a defensive mix up to go through one on one Winsor but fired wide. Langford continued to force the pace forcing a number of corners but only a weak Lee Pateman header being closest to a goal. With fifteen minutes remaining the game was then turned on its head in the space of a minute. A goalmouth melee saw Andy Shed fire home the equaliser and second of the game. Another display of inept defending with Langford unable to get the ball away was punished by Sam Grace burying the ball past Winsor much to the delight of the visiting players. Winsor then denied Adam Seymour from a total rout but the game was settled in the eighty fourth minute when Craig Henney finally claimed the goal he had threatened from early in the game. He thumped the ball in from a corner the ball running free following a challenge on Edward Winsor. Despite Langford protests the goal stood and Langford had surrendered their lead to a side that had showed a spirit and determination to get something despite being ‘under the cosh’ for large periods of the game. Robert Groves did have a chance to complete his hat trick but fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat just to add to a miserable result for the home side, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!

Langford; Edward Winsor , Ricky Case; Ross Scotney; Joe Delasalle; Shayne Willett; Ricardo Small; Mark Whittaker;(Sam Gittings); Mark Barnes (Jim Bywater); Lee Pateman; Robert Groves;