BUTLER SERVES PEACH TO RESCUE ORPINGTON

Orpington produced an insipid performance against league strugglers, Sutcliffe Rangers FC. Only a superb strike from winger, Tom Butler was enough to salvage a point in the dying seconds as the game finished 1-1.

In a bizarre last minute call, leading scorer, Laurence Downs was left on the bench with the recently fit again, Zubair Akhtar taking his place as the lone striker, despite his man of the match performance at full back last weekend. Dean De Cabral came in at left back, with Anthony Knott returning in his regular right back position. An abundance of players forced Harry Utton into a central midfield position alongside the ever present, Mike Adamou.

Orpington would have expected to come into this match and produce a dominant display against a team who have lost 6 of their 7 league games this season. However, the confidence of expectation lead to a weak performance and a direct approach to the game lead to multiple long balls and wasted possession.

Orpington did manage to create a couple of chances, but nothing that convinced they were going to run away with the game. The most significant fell to James Lefley who left his marker for dead only to see his shot cannon off the crossbar. Sutcliffe’s captain produced a commanding display in the midfield and Orpington seemingly had no response.

Scoreless at half time, manager Matt Utton opted to adjust the system to a 4-4-2 and brought on Downs and Butler to provide a more attacking approach. Although more energy was injected into the game, Orpington looked rushed and there was little composure in the final third. Suttcliffe finally produced a pass through the middle and the imperious skipper ran onto the ball and finished with aplomb.

Orpington hit the attack button and drove forward in numbers in search of the equaliser. Utton opted to bring himself on in an attempt to add strength and height to the attack. With only seconds to spare, Butler and Adamou linked up well on the left hand side, with the former cutting inside and unleashing a fierce drive towards goal. The ball was perfectly struck and looped over the helpless ‘keeper, drawing the teams level. Celebrated like a winner, Orpington will have felt let off the hook as their performance suggested nothing more than a loss was on the cards.

No time remained to find a winner and the final whistle blew, Orpington clearly the happier side as Sutcliffe berated themselves (and their opponents) for conceding late on. Orpington will need to adjust in these games in the future, especially when a level of expectation surrounds them. With a week to recover, Orpington’s next league outing will see them host Duke of Clarence on Sunday 17th December.