Orpington Dismantle Haywards

Orpington produced a scintillating display as they efficiently dispatched Haywards and progressed to the next round of the Ted Holder Trophy. A brace from Ben Blyghton, a goal each for Harry Utton and Stevie Flowers and a bizarre own goal gave Orpington a comfortable victory and a scoreline which could have easily been doubled with more clinical finishing.

Orpington got back to winning ways this weekend and were 1-0 up within 6 minutes as a fortuitous cross from Blyghton found it's way straight into the back of the net. Flowers, making his first competitive start after coming on as a sub for the injured George Butler, experienced similar good fortune when his cross from a tight angle hit the far upright and doubled the advantage.

Orpington were barely tested in the first half. The renewed centre back partnership of Harry and Rob Utton in the absence of Austin Facer was solid throughout, with both Tom Butler and Anthony Knott providing excellent protection at full back. With the first half almost over, man of the match, Lee Cordner picked out a superb through ball, intended for front man Zubair Akhtar to run on to, only for the covering defender to lash out a foot and thunder the ball into his own net!

The second half began in precisely the same fashion, with Orpington dominating from the outset. Flowers, a persistent threat on the right, found another cross, this time picking out Blyghton at the back stick who made no mistake from close range.

Orpington could have been completely out of sight as multiple chances went begging and with a quarter of the game left, 'keeper Matt Utton faced his first proper test from the penalty spot. After a robust challenge from Harry Utton, the referee awarded the spot kick, but the experienced 'keeper judged well and made a fantastic stop.

The scoring was rounded off with a free kick by Harry Utton, reminicient of his high scoring season 2 years ago. A perfectly placed shot nestled neatly in the far corner of the goal and the game was all but won.

However, Haywards had one last response with an equally impressive free kick just before the full time whistle which was well struck and found the top corner for a consolation goal.

Orpington progress through to the next round of the cup for the first time in their history and will be buoyed by the nature of the victory and the hat full of goals scored in the process.