Premier Division
Crockenhill 0 Orpington 1
Saturday, 13 October 2007
Orpington made the short trip down the lane to close neighbours Crockenhill for an earlier than usual kick-off (to allow everyone to watch the England match afterwards).
As ever, Orpington found that a basement side, apparently down on their luck, weren’t completely lacking in confidence. Although the O’s created plenty of chances and perhaps should have added to their eventual tally, they could also have conceded one or two themselves.
The fact that the match ended in such a low score was largely due to the form of both goalkeepers. Chris Scott in the Crocks’ goal made numerous one-on-one saves to keep Orpington out and Nicky Blue made two notable full stretch saves to prevent the home side from picking up their first points of the season.
The first real chance of the match fell to the home side - John Backett’s shot over from fifteen yards after Leke Olowo’s original effort was blocked. Less than minute later and Orpington’s Gary Gorman found Anthony Weir but his shot was into the side- netting.
From then on, Orpington enjoyed a twenty-five minute spell where they created a number of chances - a George Belchamber free-kick forced a good save from Scott. Billy Webb took the resultant corner which Perry Blechamber headed towards goal only for Scott to pull off another excellent save. Another corner leading to another fine save from Scott, this time from Billy Webb‘s near-post strike. Ten minutes later and Dave Johnson fired just over from Jamie Hughes’s cross from the right.
The Crocks managed a decent effort of their own when Dan Godward found O’s keeper, Nicky Blue in good form. Just before half-time, George Belchamber raked a thirty-yard effort just wide.
The visitors continued to press for a breakthrough at the start of the second period - Perry Belchamber matching his younger brother’s first-half effort from distance which, although was on target, was gratefully received by Scott. The Crocks’ keeper was in the action again to keep out Gary Gorman’s shot from close range.
The Crocks remained dangerous on the counter-attack and Dan Godward reminded everyone that the home side were still capable of snatching victory when his long-range shot was saved by the juggling Nicky Blue.
But on the hour-mark, Orpington got the break they needed. An awkward ball played into the home-side’s penalty area was adjudged by the referee to have been controlled by the upper-arm of a defender. Anthony Weir despatched the spot kick.
The O’s knew that such a fragile lead could be broken and went in search of a second but despite pounding the Crocks’ goal with chances, none were taken. Some of the notable ones, included: a Gary Gorman shot pushed away by Scott only for Anthony Weir to chip him, but also the cross-bar; a Billy Webb effort from twenty-five yards saved; Anthony Weir again chipping wide of the target following a mix-up in the defence; and Danny Taylor sliding Gary Gorman into the penalty area who rounded Scott but could only find the side-netting from an acute angle.
Up at the other end, Crockenhill kept the O’s defence occupied with their speedy breakaways. The main threat to the O’s lead was posed by 8 and his long range shooting - a shot from the edge of the penalty area pushed over by Nicky Blue but the keeper had to be even sharper to tip over a more powerful effort after the forward had beaten two Orpington defenders.
Orpington were grateful for the final whistle and three more points to keep them up with the leaders.
Crockenhill: Chris Scott, Chris Hackett, Tony Powell, Matt Godward, James Marrs, Ryan Hackett, Joe Plant (Michael Filkins, 83), Dan Godward, Ronnie Jeffrey, Leke Olowo, John Backett (Fran Zambelli, 83), subs not used: Matt Ellis, Vince O’Brien, Steve Palmer
Orpington: Nicky Blue, Danny Sandford, Byron Beard, George Belchamber, Jamie Hughes (Darren Shelton, 75), Rob Quick, Perry Belchamber, Dave Johnson (Mark Lewis, 75), Billy Webb (Danny Taylor, 85), Gary Gorman, Anthony Weir.
Phil Alder
Orpington FC
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