ORPINGTON DENIED VICTORY

<p>Orpington Athletic were denied a well deserved victory after a terrible refereeing decision handed Hayward's a chance back into a game they looked well out of.<p>Orpington were in a buoyant mood following their victory last weekend and came into the game against league leaders, Hayward's, with the verve of a team who fear no one. Starting strongly, Orpington utilised the available space and Tom Butler scored his fifth of the season with a well taken shot from the left of the 18 yard box.<p>Hayward's offered little threat going forward and looked anything but a team vying for promotion. Orpington closed the half out with another fantastic goal, this time off the chest and volley into the top corner from midfield maestro, Mike Adamou.<p>With Orpington managing themselves in the absence of manager, Matt Utton, no changes were made and within 5 minutes of the restart, they could have been 3 goals ahead. A beautiful chip over the top from Haden fed Downs through and his volley was unlucky to cannon back off the crossbar. Haden followed up with a well taken shot, but it sailed agonisingly high.<p>Hayward's were greatly under pressure, but it was the referee who aided their resurgence. A headed effort on goal, held by Hart on his line, was incorrectly adjudged to have crossed the line and the referee awarded the goal. Orpington protested, but to no avail.<p>Hayward's were in again minutes later and Orpington, perhaps deflated by the earlier decision, did not clear well enough and Hayward's scrambled the equaliser home.<p>The rest of the match saw Orpington press and push the opposition and limited any further opportunities from them. Despite one last attempt that Hart dealt well with, the league leaders looked tired and out classed.<p>Orpington look like a renewed team in recent weeks. The partnership of Facer and Adamou, the return of Downs and the overall team camaraderie and effort will take them far. Orpington should fear no one and are far from the underdogs they used to be.