The honours were shared at Nelson Road, Northfleet between Fleet Leisure and Orpington, on Saturday.  The game may have lacked skill and delectable one touch football but it made up for it in commitment, in a hard fought encounter.

Fleet enjoyed most of the early play and were rewarded on fifteen minutes when

Steve Ward skipped past two Orpington defenders and struck his shot wide of the on-rushing Nicky Blue to give the home side the lead.  Fleet continued to press forward bombarding the O’s penalty area with high balls from set-pieces which caused problems for the visitors.

However, Orpington survived the initial aerial assault and started to create chances of their own.  In a two minute spell Orpington reversed their fortunes with a brace of goals - first, Byron Beard battled his way to the by-line and cut back inside a defender to unleash a powerful shot that beat Dan Morrin at his near-post; then Perry Belchamber’s cross was skilfully brought under control by Jamie Hughes who then volleyed home from the edge of the Fleet penalty area.  

But Orpington’s joy was short lived - another high ball into the O’s penalty area wasn’t dealt with and Ricki Holmes put Fleet back on level terms.  With half-time beckoning, Fleet took the lead and once again the O’s inability to deal with headers in their own box proved their undoing - a throw-in into the O’s penalty area resulted in the ball being headed on twice, finally for John Armstrong to head-in off the far-post.

A more determined Orpington side took to the field for the second-half and ten minutes from the re-start the O’s were once again on level terms - and this time it was a header by Billy Webb from Byron Beard’s left wing cross.

From then on, it was anyone’s game but clear chances were not very plentiful.  However, Fleet will be cursing their luck when twice in the closing stages they came close to snatching all three points.  First, Steve Ward weaved his way through the O’s defence but as he moved to go round Nicky Blue, the O’s keeper managed to grab the ball off the forward’s toes.  Then with seconds remaining a header in the O’s penalty area struck the cross bar of the unguarded goal.

But at the final whistle a draw seemed a fair result.

Fleet Leisure: Dan Morrin, Dan Wells, Ricki Holmes, Chris Cooke, Mark Handley, John Armstrong, James Ruff, Steve Ward, Alex McKay, Mike Ward, Adam Elwood, subs: Craig Brigden, Ollie Strauss, Grant Roberts.

Orpington: Nicky Blue, Danny Taylor, Danny Gorman (Adam Ellson, 65), Byron Beard, Dave Johnson, Rob Quick, Perry Belchamber, George Belchamber, Adam Noad (Mark Lewis, 80), Jamie Hughes, Billy Webb

Phil Alder

Orpington FC