Haywards vs Orpington Athletic
1 - 2
31 March 2019 · Metropolitan Sunday Football League<br>Division One
Away league match played on 31 March 2019.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
1-2
vs Haywards
Away league match
Orpington Athletic came from a goal down to win 2-1 against Haywards this weekend. A goal each for Mike Adamou and skipper, Rob Utton in the first half, were enough to take all 3 points and push Orpington closer to a top 4 finish for the first time in the club's history.
Matches against Haywards have been well fought battles in recent seasons, with Orpington securing some memorable victories in the last few meetings. Both teams fielded strong sides and there were threats at both ends of the field.
Haywards took the lead following a free kick that was not well managed by Orpington, the attacker finding all kinds of room in behind the defence to position and shoot. Orpington had to find another gear and set about working opportunities in Haywards' half. A well taken corner by Joe Haden travelled all the way to the back post on the half hour mark, picking out an unmarked Adamou who struck a sweet first time volley into the roof of the net to bring the scores level.
It was Haden again who provided the assist for Orpington to take the lead. Another fantastic corner to the near post was met by the head of the marauding Utton, who drilled the ball home, even with the attempted handball on the line by the Haywards defender!
In the second half, the game never really got a chance to find rhythm, as consistent stoppages and substitutions did not give any flow to the match. Haywards attempted to put pressure on, but were guilty of some sloppy and reckless challenges. Haywards were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes left after such a challenge, which led to the Haywards player spitting at Orpington's captain.
Despite the depleted numbers, Haywards continued to attack and Orpington made the last moments difficult for themselves with some poor game management. However, the final whistle gave Orpington the points and the double over their league opponents for the first time.
Orpington now only have 3 games remaining to consolidate their top 4 position, starting next Sunday, away to Interfecta FC.