Orpington Miss Out On Top 4

Orpington Athletic saw their hopes of a top 4 finish extinguished after losing to Lions United this weekend. Orpington had every opportunity to take the top 4 battle to the final game of the season, but Lions took their chances and left the home team well beaten.

Going into the match, having put 5 goals past their opponents away from home, Orpington should have been confident of another good attacking display. However, the bare 11 started poorly and mistimed touches and passes allowed Lions to dominate early proceedings. Last minute replacement referee, Ian Newman, did not aid the flow of play and was determined to talk to every player after any challenge and pause the game continuously.

Lions went ahead after half an hour after defender Harry Utton was unable to control a cross into the box. The Lions’ attacker pounced and dealt the first blow. Another defensive error from ’keeper Matt Utton lead to a swift attack by Lions who scored their second, just 10 minutes later.

Utton shuffled his pack at half time and opted to move to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation, with Mike Adamou spearheading the line-up. The adjusted formation gave Orpington a more direct impetus and Adamou scored his 14th league goal of the season on the hour.

Orpington were much improved in the second half and probably should have found the net at least twice, but much like the first half, the game was constantly interrupted by the referee who spent far too long lecturing players for minor indiscretions, which impacted any kind of flow to the match.

Lions put the game to bed in the last quarter of the game. A speculative effort from just outside the box was not dealt with by Utton, who tipped the ball into the far corner.

Orpington left the field at the end of the match with little enthusiasm and now have one game remaining, against already promoted Riefield Vipers, to salvage some pride and finish the season strongly.