Green Street Green First vs Orpington Athletic
0 - 1
26 August 2018 · Metropolitan Sunday Football League<br>Division One
Away friendly match played on 26 August 2018.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
0-1
vs Green Street Green First
Away friendly match
A magnificent team display and notable individual performances saw Orpington grab a late but deserved win against old foes, Green Street Green.
Coming off the back of a commanding 4-0 victory in their previous friendly, Orpington produced another solid performance to cement a second successive victory and clean sheet. Manager, Matt Utton, handed debuts to Stevie Flowers on the right of the midfield and George Butler who lined up as the second central defensive midfielder alongside Lee Cordner.
Butler, much in the same vain as his brother Tom, worked tirelessly for the entire game, making important interceptions and keeping the door in front of the back four firmly locked.
In the first half, Orpington were the better side, creating chances, forcing GSG back into their own half and continuously looked threatening on the front foot. Flowers showed great strength and composure on the right and immediately slotted into the style of play Orpington are currently enjoying.
Although attacks continued to be created, Orpington were frustrated to go in scoreless at half time, but came out to ensure the job was completed in the second half. Anthony Knott made a return to the first team at right back, having not played since January, in place of Zubair Akhtar, who had been brilliant in the first half.
GSG upped the tempo towards the end of the second half and Matt Utton was forced into a fantastic one-on-one stop against the onrushing GSG front man. Orpington's attacks were more limited in the second half, with Flowers coming close after a darting run down the right and substitute, Harry Utton, forcing a magnificent save from the GSG 'keeper after a he connected with Flowers' cross from the right.
The goal finally came from an unlikely source, when centre back, Austin Facer, picked out a precise pass through the back line to skipper, Rob Utton, who had stayed forward following a long throw. The GSG defence failed to clear and Utton shot with the outside of his left boot to put the ball beyond the 'keeper and into the far, top corner.
Orpington saw the game out comfortably and will now look forward to the next friendly on the 9th September where they will no doubt feel confident of another positive result.