Orpington Dumped Out Of Cup

Orpington Athletic were dealt a harsh reality check this weekend with a humiliating exit from the second round of the Bill Braisted Memorial Trophy. Four goals in each half from the clinical opposition were enough to condemn Orpington to the heaviest defeat they have suffered since their inaugural game in the Metropolitan League, four years ago.

South London Panthers started the game and immediately went on the offensive, pressing high up the pitch and pressurising the Orpington back line. Anthony Knott struggled to keep pace with his opposing winger and was caught out a couple of times in the early exchanges. Panthers made the pressure pay within 10 minutes and took the lead.

Panthers' were extremely lucky following the goal to remain with 11 players on the pitch when a precision cross field pass by Ben Blyghton was missed by the last covering defender. In panic, he outstretched his hand, diverting the ball out of the path of Stevie Flowers. The referee failed to make the call and allowed the play to continue, despite multiple protests and confirmation from his linesman of the deliberate infringement.

Orpington had to readjust and reshape when George Butler, only just back from injury, suffered a blow to his knee and had to leave the field. Orpington looked in disarray and could not find shape and Panthers got their second when a whipped cross was unceremoniously turned into the net by skipper, Rob Utton.

Panthers' third came from a well organised and well constructed corner routine which resulted in a free header from the Panthers' number 2. Rounding off the half, keeper Matt Utton made an uncharacteristic howler in goal, spilling a long range effort into the net from 25 yards out.

Utton rang the changes at half time and Orpington started the second half brightly with more composure and more precise passing. However, as was consistent throughout the match, poor touches let the team down and Panthers tucked in a fifth.

Orpington were punished twice more with Panthers' coordinated corner routines as a sixth and seventh made the score line completely insurmountable. Offering very little going forward, Orpington looked out of ideas and failed to make the necessary tackles in the middle of the park to control the possession. Panthers' rounded of the battering with an eighth, neatly tucked away at the back post after a clinical cross.

Orpington will now need to dust themselves off quickly as they return to league action in 6 days time when they face Bromley Road. The defeat will no doubt linger and hurt, but there will need to be a rapid response to ensure this is not the start of a unprecedented decline.