Orpington reached the final of the West Kent Challenge Shield with a convincing three-nil win over south-London side Tudor Sports.

Yes, the annual O’s pilgrimage to a cup final will again take place, but when and where remains to be decided. 

The holders never looked seriously troubled once they had taken an early lead - Gary Gorman rounding a defender and from a tight angle beat Danny Skinner, in the Tudor goal, at the near post.  The O’s could have increased their lead before half-time but two chances falling to Jamie Hughes were both well saved by Skinner.

Although Tudor had a fair share of the play, they didn’t really bother the O’s stand-in keeper, Byron Beard.  However, just before the interval Glen McTaggart combined well with Terry Jolly resulting in the latter’s shot being saved by Byron.

The second-half saw O’s midfielder Dave Johnson setting up a number of chances, including both goals.  Within the first minute of the re-start he played a long ball to Gary Gorman whose snap shot was just wide of the target.  Perhaps the best period for the visitors started when Skinner cleared a long ball up field.  Jolly controlled the ball and fed strike partner, McTaggart, but his shot was fired wide.  A couple of minutes later and Tudor again look dangerous.  The ball was flicked over the O’s defence for McTaggart to run onto but Byron looked favourite to claim the ball.  However, what seemed like a “Maradonna style incident” occurred allowing the Tudor forward to control the ball and place a cross to the far-post, only for Jolly’s overhead kick to miss. 

But Tudor’s applied pressure received a jolt when they conceded two quick goals mid-way through the half.  Dave Johnson’s cushioned header allowed Gary Gorman to flick the ball into the path of Jamie Hughes.  Although the forward raced towards goal it looked as if Skinner would snuff out the danger.  However, some uncertainty between keeper and defender allowed Jamie to tap the ball into the open net.  Two minutes later, and Dave Johnson dispossessed an opponent to release Jamie again into the penalty area.  This time Jamie needed no help to blast the ball into the net for 3-0.

From then on, Tudor seemed to go through the motions although McTaggart and Daniel Gill both had chances to claw back a consolation.

Orpington will play Cray Wanderers and New Bromleians from Division Two West in the final, sometime in April.

Orpington: Byron Beard; Danny Taylor, Danny Gorman (capt), Gary Wigzell; Adam Noad, George Belchamber, Rob Quick, Perry Belchamber (Billy Webb, 72), Dave Johnson (Darren Shelton, 72); Gary Gorman, Jamie Hughes

Tudor Sports: Danny Skinner, Steve Axam, Terry Cohen, James Wild, Scott Butler (capt), Marc Sandford, Chris Rowley, Terry Jolly (Steffan Moore, 73), Glen McTaggart, Daniel Hill.  Subs not used: Sam Maloney, Kevin Timlin, James Bradley, Mick Casey

Phil Alder

Orpington FC