Colney Heath lost their opening game of the SSML Premier Division season 2-1 to newly-promoted Kings Langley.

Matt Standen had Heath’s first chance but his shot cannoned back off the post. He then forced Langley’s goalkeeper, Ant Ladyman, to make a save but Kings surged back to take the lead.

Tom Carter’s crossfield pass was intercepted by Bret O’Connor, but an alert Danny Hutchins robbed him of the ball to deliver an audacious shot into the corner of the net.

Kings ended the half with a Hutchins’ shot well saved by Ricky Parks, who then took the ball off the toes of Alex Campana, but could only watch as Benny Fiadzomor’s powerful lob landed on the roof of the net.

The second half opened with a Connor Toomey shot parried away by Parks and his header fell just wide. But when the Hutchins fed Alex Campana, his inch perfect through ball saw Toomey not to be denied and his right foot shot found the target.

With nothing to lose, Heath began to look dangerous and a Paul Armstrong header had Ant Ladyman scrambling, before Aaron Clarke spooned over a gilt-edged chance.

But then Clarke was brought down by Luke Ladyman and Matt Standen dispatched the penalty.

Colney Heath went close to an equaliser with Clarke just hitting over and Standen and John McGrandles just failing to get on the end of crosses from wide but an elusive second goal never materialised and the Magpies started the new season with a loss.