Rose & Crown FC vs Orpington Athletic
1 - 4
05 January 2020 · Metropolitan Sunday Football League<br>Division One
Away league match played on 05 January 2020.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
1-4
vs Rose & Crown FC
Away league match
Orpington Athletic returned from the Christmas break to take all 3 points and start 2020 in winning form. Goals across the field from Harry Utton, Mike Adamou, Austin Facer and Tom Butler were enough to nullify Rose & Crown's early advantage and see Orpington win at a comfortable pace.
Following the unexplained disappearance over Christmas of their right-back, Anthony Knott, Orpington were determined to play with passion and pride to honour their missing player and friend. However, a lethargic and scrappy start by the away side allowed Rose & Crown to take an early lead. Orpington found it difficult to move with the freedom they showed in the last matches and were unable to test the opposition 'keeper.
However, after half an hour, Tejiri Kode opened up the back line and was unceremoniously hacked to the ground just outside the area, allowing Utton to step up and dispatch a customary free kick which slipped under the unwitting 'keeper. Orpington continued to grow in confidence and saw the half out level.
In the second half, Butler came on for Braithwaite and a small tweak in system allowed Orpington to push on and dominate proceedings. Kode was clattered in the box, giving Adamou his opportunity to bury a penalty and take the lead. Shortly after, Kode turned provider again and after Utton's bullet header was saved, he laid the ball into the path of Facer who made it 3 goals in his last 4 appearances.
The match was rounded off and put beyond Rose & Crown's reach when Blyghton's expert solo run ended with a perfect ball into the box for Butler to slam home into the roof of the net.
Orpington slowed the pace and with Rose & Crown losing 2 players to the sin bin, the match petered out to a simple victory. Despite a slow start, Orpington took the win and will now focus their attentions on another away fixture, next Sunday, against Interfecta.
ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE SEEN ANTHONY KNOTT ON OR AFTER 20TH DECEMBER, SHOULD CONTACT SUSSEX POLICE ON 101, QUOTING OPERATION BARNSTAPLE.