ORPINGTON SECURE Comfortable VICTORY

Orpington Athletic bounced back from their previous result to produce a confident display against South London Doves this weekend. Well deserved goals from Laurence Downs and James Lefley, coupled with a clean sheet, gave Orpington a merited 2-0 victory away from home.

Orpington’s away form last season was questionable at best, but they began this match away at Coldharbour Leisure Centre in good fashion and were a much improved side from the one that lost 4-1 the previous weekend. South London Doves offered very little going forward in the first half and bar one attempt on Utton’s goal, it was all Orpington in the first 45 minutes. Orpington could have collected a hat full of goals in the first half and were unfortunate to come in at half time with the scores level at 0-0. Although the ball had ended up in the back of the net when Rob Utton’s robust header took both the ball and the ‘keeper into the goal, this was disallowed and Orpington had further shouts for a goal that appeared to have crossed the line from a toe poke from Lefley.

The second half began in precisely the same way as the first with Orpington pressing Doves back into their own half. Tom Smart came on for Karl Turner to make his competitive debut and did well on the left hand side of midfield. Orpington built up chance after chance and eventually broke Doves’ resolve when Laurence Downs, a threat all game, found the inside of the post with a delicate, left footed effort that curled neatly into the net. Downs could have doubled his tally moments later with a sweet left footed volley and possibly even trebled it with another attempt that went just wide.

Orpington continued to manage the game and the solid defence, inclusive of the imperious Dave Hart in a new roll at centre back, restricted attempts on goal and Matt Utton showed great hands from Doves’ few corners. Orpington did not sit back and rest on the slender lead, however, and were rewarded when Downs set the dynamic Lefley down the right hand side of midfield who expertly lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper and found the back of the net for Orpington’s second. Orpington were through again minutes later and Mike Adamou was unlucky to see his shot go wide of the far post.

Orpington ended the match victorious and with a performance to be proud of. There will be a lot that can be learned from this display, especially the way in which they controlled the game and their opportunities, without compromising space and positioning. However, they will have to ensure that chances do not go to waste. Orpington resume league duties in 3 weeks but will meet F.C Bellingham in the first round of the Ted Holder Trophy on Sunday 1st October.