SSML Premier Division champions Kings Langley finished off their title-winning campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Oxhey Jets on Saturday.
Kings were touched by Jets’ sporting gesture of a guard of honour to applaud them onto the pitch, but the game was only 22 seconds old when Lewis Toomey was tripped just inside the right hand edge of the box by Jordan Gutteridge.
Danny Hutchins stepped up and maintained his 100 per cent penalty record with his 10th successful spot-kick of the season.
It was a soft penalty to concede and the Jets defence seemed unnerved by proceedings as Kings’ further attacks resulted in a low Ollie Cox cross, a shot from Mitchell Weiss blocked, and the rebound drilled home by Alex Campana.
However, a good individual goal by Alfa Jalo gave the visitors hope as he robbed Callum Adebiyi, who looked to still be feeling the bruising effects of the previous match.
The winger held off his recovery challenge to slot past the outcoming Charlie Crowley for a fine solo goal.
Despite this set-back, the home side restored their advantage shortly afterwards when the prolific Hutchins cut inside from the right and unleashed a stunning rocket from 25 yards into the top corner of the net.
Tom Kennedy slipped the home defence but was foiled by Crowley and, as the second half progressed, Ricardo Dinis produced an exceptional save from Luke Ladyman, before Danny May fired narrowly over with a long shot.
With Kings asking all the questions, the fourth goal duly arrived shortly past the hour mark, when Mitchell Weiss crossed the ball at the end of a left wing run and Toomey didn’t have to break stride to covert from close range.
There was a welcome return for Kings with the introduction of Jack Johnson, out since December, but the final 20 minutes were frustrating ones for Toomey.
The former Hemel Town striker could have added three more goals to his tally, while Weiss was unable to get on the target for a landmark 30th goal of the season.