Orpington Athletic FC vs Green Street Green First
3 - 1
03 September 2017 · Metropolitan Sunday Football League<br>Division One
Home friendly match played on 03 September 2017.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
3-1
vs Green Street Green First
Home friendly match
Orpington Athletic rounded off their pre season preparations with a convincing 3-1 victory over old foes, Green Street Green. Two goals from Harry Utton and a neat strike from Karl Turner cemented a good performance with the anticipated outcome.
Orpington were at almost full strength this weekend, save for a couple of absentees and manger, Matt Utton, was able to field a strong side. Returning player, Tom Connell, started on the bench. Orpington opened the match well, exchanging passes, but were soon sucked into the expected scrappy style of football that Green Street Green often produce. With no real time and space on the ball, Orpington were unable to keep a consistent flow to their play. However, Orpington wore down the opposition, eventually leading to a break-away run from Joe Haden who cut the ball back to the edge of the area, where the ever reliable Harry Utton placed his shot perfectly past the ‘keeper, from outside of the area.
Orpington had a couple of other attempts, most notably with the highly impressive Austin Facer who saw his header from Mike Adamou’s corner smash just wide. Orpington lead at half time.
Utton made multiple changes as the game progressed, allowing players to get as much time as possible before next week’s curtain raiser. Against the run of play, however, GSGS’s new right winger was allowed too much time to line up a shot which inexplicably lobbed Matt Utton in goal and drew the match level. The winger had another chances moments later, which Utton saved brilliantly at full stretch.
After recomposing, Orpington began to find momentum again and the second goal was found. Pushing up from defence, captain Rob Utton saw his shot deflect through to the unmarked Turner, who coolly slotted home from 10 yards. The lead could have been extended almost immediately when Haden, operating from right wing, cut the ball into the box, only for the advanced Knott to spoon over inside the box.
Orpington were rewarded for their pressure towards the end of the match, when Laurence Downs was flattened in the penalty area allowing Harry Utton to step up once more and dispatch his second and Orpington’s third.
Orpington will be pretty pleased with pre season, having beaten 2 teams who will be in their league this year. With next week’s opener against Hayward’s, they boys in black and red will need to bring all that they have to ensure more teams fall victim to their play in this, their fourth season.