Riefield Vipers vs Orpington Athletic FC
5 - 0
27 November 2016 · Metropolitan Sunday Football League<br>Division One
Away league match played on 27 November 2016.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
5-0
vs Riefield Vipers
Away league match
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<p class="MsoNormal">Orpington Athletic subjected themselves to an underserved score line as they lost 5-0 to Riefield Vipers in their Division Three match this weekend.
<p class="MsoNormal">Riding high on the back of an unprecedented 11-1 win the previous weekend, Orpington were forced to play with a bare 11 and no substitutes and let the second half of the match slip away from them in a dire 15 minute spell. Starting well in their accustomed 4-5-1 formation, Orpington continued to play a similar style that had proved so successful in the previous match. Great passing and considered movement on and off the ball, especially down the right hand side, was evident from the outset and although Riefield managed to keep Orpington at bay, there was always a certain threat.
<p class="MsoNormal">Orpington were unlucky to concede on the half hour, when a well delivered cross found the Riefield striker free on the edge of the 6 yard box. Despite Rob Utton and Dave Hart throwing their bodies in the way, the resultant shot managed to creep inside the post, just missing Matt Utton’s outstretched hand and giving the home team the lead. Orpington continued to play their patient, passing game, utilising the options to switch the play when they could and driving down the wings, with Knott making some good overlapping runs ahead of Turner on the right and Hart beating his man for pace at every available opportunity.
<p class="MsoNormal">At half time, there was little to separate the sides and the game restarted in similar fashion. However, Riefield doubled their lead when a clear offside goal was awarded, despite remonstration from the Utton centre backs. Orpington then conceded shortly after when a corner was turned in at the near post by the head of a Riefield player who cut across the markers. Orpington’s undoing was complete when Rob Utton conceded a penalty after bringing down his opponent on the turn and the spot kick was dispatched with ‘keeper Matt Utton sent the wrong way.
<p class="MsoNormal">Orpington continued to create opportunities on the wing but with no final product at the end. A penalty shout was dismissed as Orpington tried to press, but it was Riefield who rounded off the match with a fifth and final goal.
<p class="MsoNormal">Orpington will have felt aggrieved at the final result as it was in no way a reflection of their overall play, but with no opportunity to influence the game with tactical or personnel changes, the outcome became inevitable. Orpington now have two winnable games before the culmination of 2016 and will hope to pick up maximum points in their bid to move further up the table.