Lead Let Slip

Orpington suffered a multitude of bad luck on Sunday as they were beaten 3-2 by old rivals, Inter Cross. Despite goals from Ben Blyghton and Mike Adamou in each half, Inter Cross certainly appeared to have luck on their side as refereeing decisions cost Orpington a valuable 3 points.

Orpington's matches with Inter always seem to draw controversy and Sunday's contest was no exception. Orpington started on the front foot and were quick to test the 'keeper. However, a break from Inter on the left hand side was quick enough to allude returning right-back, Anthony Knott. The resulting cross was turned in with a one-touch finish into the bottom corner.

Orpington responded 5 minutes later, when a well taken long range strike from Blyghton, nestled into the far corner.

Tough tackles and a questionable playing surface disrupted the game up until half time, where the teams went in level. In the second half, however, Orpington found some flow and following a good cross from Blyghton and a complete misjudgement from Inter's 'keeper, Adamou struck home his 7th goal in 9 games.

The game was marred on the hour mark when Inter's 'keeper made an horrendous challenge on Tom Butler as he marauded down the left flack. Rushing out of his goal, the 'keeper flew into a high challenge catching Butler straight through the shin. With the ball ricocheting off in the opposite direction, the referee adjudged the ball to have been won and did not stop the play. Only after the ball had been cleared did the referee check on Butler, only to see his sock had been ripped apart by the tackle. Despite the evidence, the referee refused to admit he had made an error and did not retrospectively punish the incident.

An incensed Orpington could have been blamed for losing focus after the incident and allowed Inter Cross to level after some poor communication between the defenders and the 'keeper.

The final insult of the match came with barely 10 minutes to go, when a local dog-walker allowed her two dogs to run towards the pitch and hound after the ball. Despite the clear obstruction by the animals, the referee allowed play to continue, and with the dogs chasing after the ball, Orpington's defence were unable to clear the ball properly without risking injury to them. Inter scrambled the ball into the net and the referee allowed the goal to stand.

The match was called to an end and Orpington left the pitch in a very despondent mood. For a second match in succession, refereeing decisions have cost them potential victories.

Orpington return home next Sunday for the first time since November, where they will take on Riefield Vipers.