Orpington Ride Their Luck

Orpington Athletic had fortune to thank as they came away with a slim victory against league rivals, Bromley Road. A fluke first half goal and an own goal in the second half were enough to claim all 3 points, in amongst a host of wasted opportunities.

Having previously blown Bromley Road away in the reverse fixture, Orpington would have been confident of a similar scalp in the return. However, in a first half littered with chances, Orpington failed to make many of them pay, with the only goal coming from a long throw into the box, which bobbled around and rolled into the net, the last touch coming of an unwitting Stevie Flowers.

The second half followed a similar pattern. With Bromley Road only ever able to hit long balls to their number 9 to chase, Orpington had little to manage at the back and with his unwillingness to pass, the defenders managed to contain him effectively. However, one swift break did fall in his favour and a good shot from a darting run found the bottom far corner.

Orpington were ruing the missed opportunities but continued to dominate the match. The second goal eventually came with 15 minutes remaining. A long free kick into the box from skipper, Rob Utton, was flicked on by Laurence Downs and then inadvertently headed into the back of the net by Bromley Road's captain.

Orpington saw the game out with little to trouble them, but it was evident from the lack of celebration at the end that they had been far from their best. A vast improvement will need to be seen when they travel away next weekend to face high flying Petts Wood Ravens.