Orpington Athletic vs Bromley Road First
3 - 2
06 October 2019 · Metropolitan Sunday Football League<br>Division One
Home league match played on 06 October 2019.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
3-2
vs Bromley Road First
Home league match
Orpington Athletic picked up their first win of the season, at the second time of asking, with a confident 3-2 victory against Bromley Road. With all their goals coming in the first half, it was the defence who ensured the victory was secured.
Orpington dropped 2 points in the first game of the season and were determined to get off to a good start in their second home fixture of the season and they impacted the game in the second minute, Mike Adamou's corner finding the unmarked Oral Graham who diverted the ball into the net with his head. Creator and scorer then swapped roles on 10 minutes, with Adamou lobbing the 'keeper to give Orpington a 2 goal advantage.
Orpington gave away a sloppy goal to allow Bromley back into the game, however it would be the last mistake the defence would make in the game, and within minutes, it was Orpington's centre back, Harry Utton who doubled the lead with another precise free kick - 30 yards out and in off the underside of the crossbar making it 2 in 2 for the defender. Superb defending from the centre back pairing of Utton and skipper, Terry Fowler ensured the team went into half time fully in command of the match.
In the second half, Orpington could have been accused of letting Bromley come at them and affording them too much space, however the full backs, Ryan Hardie and Tom Butler, mirrored the defensive efforts of Utton and Fowler and the defensive midfielders, Joe Haden and Tom Braithwaite, were tireless in their efforts to break up play in the middle of the park, forcing Bromley to resort to balls over the top for the majority of the game.
Bromley found a way to get one goal back after a corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble and could have had leveled the score on a few occasions with some long range efforts. However, 'keeper Jordan Puttock caught every shot and cross that came near him and was a solid presence between the sticks for the whole match.
Orpington could have been out of sight and Laurence Downs could have taken home the match ball, however three chances were unfortunately placed over the crossbar. The team dug deep in the last 10 minutes and thwarted any attack that Bromley attempted to put together and at the final whistle were rewarded with all 3 points.
Orpington play again this Sunday, when they host Interfecta FC at home.