Kings Langley last tasted defeat at Hertford Town in April but joint-boss Paul Hughes believes the 2-0 Southern League loss at Beaconsfield SYCOB on Monday was the best thing for his side.

First-half goals from Elliott Carey and Lee Togwell were enough to keep Kings at arm’s length in a display which Hughes admitted his side were comfortably second best.

And that was a view shared by Beaconsfield, who in their club match report claimed the visitors “rarely had an answer” to their superior play.

“The match report was quite scathing so we made sure the players all read that,” admitted Hughes.

“We were well beaten and outplayed in every department,” he continued. “They out-passed us and we are known for our passing game normally. There were a lot of lessons for the lads to learn and teams are fitter and sharper.

“The loss is a good thing and a good wake-up call for the boys.”

Kings picked up a point with a 1-1 draw at home to St Ives Town on Saturday – their first match ever in Southern League Division One.

Hughes has seen enough to believe his side, who have reached the highest position in the club’s history by winning back-to-back promotions from the Spartan South Midlands League, can compete. But he knows it will not be easy.

“When we are on our game we can compete for sure,” he stated. “But the Saturday-Monday schedule was new to us and caught us out a little bit.

“They can’t ever drop their standards. In certain games last year they could and went on to win the game. No-one will roll over at this level. They are semi-professional players being paid good money and they want to win. And if they want to win then giving 80 or 90 per cent will do.”

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Hughes continued: “It is hard to say but we are a village club and that is reflected in our budget. I hate saying that because we want to be a strong outfit.

“But we have got a group who have two promotions in two seasons and are hard working. In the long run those qualities will serve us well throughout the season.

“Whether we need to add to the squad or not we will have to assess the further we go. It won’t be through money that we attract anyone though; it will have to be through our team spirit, work ethic and will to win.”

Kings’ next test is a trip to Chalfont St Peter tomorrow before a visit from Egham Town on Tuesday.

Sun Sports fell to a 2-1 Spartan South Midlands Premier Division defeat against rivals Berkhamsted on Tuesday night with new-boy Bradley O’Donovan netting a brace.

On Saturday Sun thumped St Margaretsbury to win 5-0. They face Northampton Sileby away tomorrow in their first-ever FA Cup appearance.

Berko were beaten 3-2 at Leverstock Green on the opening day and will host Hanworth Villa in the FA Cup tomorrow in the extra qualifying round.

Oxhey Jets made a poor start to the campaign, losing 4-2 to St Margaretsbury on Tuesday and 6-2 at Hertford Town on Saturday. AFC Kempston Rovers visit tomorrow.

Leverstock Green face Tring Athletic tomorrow in the FA Cup, a tie Tring go into following a 3-2 win at Holmer Green on Saturday and a 2-0 win over Hoddesdon Town on Saturday.