Berks County continued their play-off push on Saturday with a hard-fought win over Langley at Ascot’s Racecourse ground.
With Amersham Town seemingly running away with the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Division One and only one automatic promotion spot, it appears Berks County’s best bet for promotion is in the playoffs. County did just that with an excellent victory over Langley, who themselves are still aiming for a top five spot.
All the goals came in the first half, Sib Gbla, a recent recruit from Woodley United scoring after an excellent move. Langley equalised just before half-time after Jordi Wilson upended a Langley forward. Langley’s top scorer Ed Clements stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.
It appeared that we’d go into the half-time break all square but another great move from Berks County handed the home side another lead. This time it was Ollie Graham with a smart finish after the referee had done very well to allow Berks County to play the advantage.
Most would have expected more goals in the second half in what was an open and competitive game. However for all of Langley’s pressure through the second period, they were unable to test Jordi Wilson in the County goal.
Combined Counties League play-off chase is off and running
Langley will be disappointed not to have at least picked up a point, but the recent addition of Charlie Samuels from Holyport, and with prolific forward Ed Clements up front it’s certainly possible they’ll have enough firepower to secure a top five spot. They currently lie four points behind fifth place.
Berks County have now not lost a league fixture since October and are ticking along nicely nine points clear of sixth place. They lie seventeen points behind Amersham Town, who were resounding 10-0 winners over Spartan Youth on Saturday.
County’s next fixture is at Hillingdon Borough on 6th January, before they welcome Oxhey Jets to the Ascot Racecourse on the 13th.
Langley travel to Deportivo Galicia on the 6th January before a midweek fixture at home against Eversley & California on the 10th January.
