ORPINGTON OPEN PRE-SEASON IN STYLE

Orpington began their pre-season this weekend with an emphatic win over league rivals, Haywards FC. Goals from all areas of the field, including a debut hat-trick for striker, Tejiri Kode (TJ) saw Orpington romp to an impressive 7-2 victory and the perfect way to begin preparations for the new season.

With a new look to the team this year following a summer of recruitment, Orpington lined up with player/manager Matt Utton taking his place in the dugout and handing new ‘keeper, Jordan Puttock his debut in goal. New right back, Ryan Hardie and striker, TJ, also made the starting XI. With an injury and a long stretch on the side-lines expected for skipper, Rob Utton, defender Terry Fowler took his place alongside Harry Utton at the back, with the armband taken by the long serving Laurence Downs.

Utton set the team up to attack with an untested 4-3-3 formation and the results were successful. Orpington looked sharp in attack and created multiple opportunities to score. Nick Adamou opened the scoring after 10 minutes when the ‘keeper completely misjudged a long range effort. Adamou then turned provider 10 minutes later and sent through TJ for his first Orpington goal.

Last season’s top scorer and player of the season, Mike Adamou, was unfortunate to see a penalty saved on the half hour, however Orpington were soon 3 goals up following a thundering effort from Downs which cannoned into the back of the net of an unwitting Haywards defender. With the half time whistle seconds away, Puttock made a fantastic reflex save to ensure the team went in with a clean sheet at half time.

The team changed shape to a 4-4-2 after the break to allow Utton to experiment with alternate formations, with another new signing, Oral Graham (Troy) coming on to make his debut. The half started slowly for Orpington and on the hour mark a corner was not dealt with and Haywards poked home a fortunate goal.

Orpington fired themselves up and made the formation work. Lee Cordner sent TJ through for his second and despite Haywards scoring another fortunate goal following a suspect handball, TJ provided a completely unselfish assist for Mike Adamou to slot home Orpington’s fifth. The move of the match followed when Joe Haden and TJ linked up beautifully, tearing the Haywards defence to pieces and securing the debutant’s hat trick.

However, the best was saved until last, with free kick ace, Harry Utton stepping up from 45 yards out and with almost the last kick of the game, sending the ball flying into the top corner.

At the final whistle, Orpington left the field in great spirits and a real buzz surrounding the performance. Utton will undoubtedly continue to tweak and perfect the system in time for the new season, but with a start like this, confidence should reign supreme for the time being.