Orpington made the short-trip to south London and came away with all three points following a convincing win over Lewisham Borough.

The Ladywell Arena in Catford is Lewisham Borough’s home ground.  Within a short distance of the now demolished Catford Greyhound stadium, the arena has a real “2012 feel” - a running track with water jump circles the pitch and there is evidence of other athletic event pursuits: such as a hammer throwing net, a pole jump track and a long jump pit.  Fortunately, the football wasn’t double booked with any javelin throwing.

The home side had arrived early to begin a lengthy warm-up session.  Orpington on the other hand, caught in the south London traffic, arrived in dribs and drabs but had enough time not to be rushed.

Orpington were fastest out of the blocks and were into a comfortable stride.  But it was Lewisham who came closest to scoring when Nathan Gordon crossed for Darren Wallace to head wide.

Orpington decided to move up a gear and responded when a weak clearance was collected by Adam Noad who found Gary Gorman.  The O’s striker chipped the ball into the path of Anthony Weir but his shot flashed wide of the far-post.

Ten minutes later and the O’s took the lead.  Jamie Hughes raced onto a ball down the right wing and crossed first-time for Billy Webb to score with a diving header at the far-post. 

Orpington began to reign chances on the Boro’ goal - George Belchamber’s shot from inside the penalty area was parried by Lenny Hill and scrambled away..  The resultant corner was taken by Billy Webb and curled straight into the Lewisham goal.  However, the effort was disallowed for an off the ball foul.  But it wasn’t long before the visitors added a second.  Billy Webb was this time goal creator as he played in Gary Gorman who beat Lenny Hill with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Eight minutes later and “Webbie” was in the action again.  This time the O’s were awarded a free-kick just outside the home side’s penalty area..  Billy Webb stepped up and curled a superb “Ronaldinho shot” round the wall and inside the left-hand post for a 3-0 lead.  Anthony Weir came close to adding a fourth but his attempted chip was saved by the juggling Lenny Hill.

A three-nil lead at half time was satisfactory work for the O’s.  But Lewisham were more difficult to break down in the second half although Jamie Hughes’s volley from a Gary Gorman cross was inches wide of the post.

On the hour mark, Lewisham looked as if they might pull a goal back, when  Ricardo Harvey was sent clear but Nicky Blue saved his low shot.  A few minutes later and Anthony Sands floated in a deep ball into the O’s penalty area, from a free-kick on the half-way line.  The ball was headed down for Marvin Roberts but his shot blazed over the bar from close range.  In the eighty-fifth minute Lewisham’s Neil Simpson headed Marvin Roberts’s cross wide.

As the game was petering out, Gary Gorman broke down the right and played the ball across the Lewisham penalty area.  In an attempt to clear the ball, a Lewisham defender turned the cross into his own net for the fourth goal.

Orpington move up to second in the table and look forward to meeting Hollands & Blair, in top spot, next Saturday at Green Court.

Lewisham Borough: Lenny Hill, Anthony Sands, Jamie Fairman (Darrell Queeley, 85), Sheldon Brown, Martin West, Paul Palmer, Darren Wallace (Neil Simpson, 63), Lambert Tsamzang, Anthony Thompson, Ricardo Harvey, Nathan Gordon (Marvin Roberts, 57); subs not used: Siao Blackwood, Jordan Erskine.

Orpington: Nick Blue, Danny Gorman, Byron Beard, Danny Sandford, Jamie Hughes (Jack Lynch, 66), Rob Quick, Adam Noad (Gary Wigzell, 72), George Belchamber, Billy Webb, Gary Gorman, Anthony Weir (Dave Johnson, 65).

Phil Alder

Orpington FC