Orpington Tame Lions

Orpington spread the goals amongst the team as they dispatched Lions United in clinical fashion. Despite conceding 3 preventable goals, the attacking prowess was enough to ensure that Orpington secured all 3 points for a third successive weekend.

Orpington fielded a bare 11 for only the second time this season and with no subs had to dig in and push hard for the opening goal. However, after a shaky start, man of the match, Alex Wright, broke the deadlock with a fierce shot into the bottom corner after some great skill in the box to retain the ball.

Despite pushing hard and not really being tested at the back, Orpington struggled to find a second goal and were only able to go in at half time one goal to the good.

In the second half, the players and the game sprang into life and against the run of play, Lions equalised early with a luckily deflected ball from a preceding cross which should have been cut out much sooner. Ben Blyghton put Orpington back ahead almost immediately with his first goal since October, but Orpington were once again pegged back when a speculative low shot crept in at the far post with ‘keeper Matt Utton unsighted.

Orpington went ahead again with a rare headed goal from Tom Braithwaite which the Lions ‘keeper completely misjudged. It could have been the same story and another equaliser but for Lee Cordner’s terrific interception which lead to a blistering counter attack by Mike Adamou. Within 7 seconds, Adamou tore down the right flank, crossed the ball low into the path of Joe Haden who finished neatly past the on rushing ‘keeper. Minutes later Adamou was through again and finished, only for the referee to deny him for offside.

Lions pulled one more back from an easily preventable header in the 6 yard box which may have made for a nervy final ten minutes. However, Adamou finally got his goal (his 6th in 4 games) and killed the game.

Orpington were not at their sparkling best today, but the result pushes them up to third in the table and the victory will undoubtedly have been well enjoyed. Orpington continue in the Ted Holder Trophy next weekend, with a win meaning a place in the quarter finals.