The Meridian Sports Club was bathed in warm sunshine for most of this Bank Holiday Monday fixture - when it wasn’t bathed in warm sunshine it was noticeably cold.

Enough of the niceties.  Orpington were playing one of their “games in hand” over the other title contenders.  In summary, the game was a fairly even affair with Orpington perhaps edging it in terms of the number of chances created.  However, Bridon will point to a number of good chances that eluded them.

The first piece of goal threatening action came when the home side’s Renford found himself in space in front of goal but before he could pull the trigger, along came O’s skipper Gary Wigzell to make an incisive intervention and clear the danger.

Bridon certainly began the brighter of the two sides.  A corner from the right was headed wide at the far-post.  Then Renford pounced on a long clearance from the keeper but his shot was wide.  

Orpington at last got into the action - Gary Gorman reaching the by-line, placed a cross to the far-post where Adam Noad volleyed into the side netting.

At the other end, Renford exchanged passes with a team-mate but his colleague’s first-time shot was over.  Orpington’s best move of the game saw Anthony Weir, Gary Gorman and Rob Quick put together a flowing move resulting in Rob firing wide off the mark.  The Bridon keeper then earned his stripes when he made a triple save from Gary Gorman (twice from close range) and a pile driver from Dave Johnson.

Chances were falling at both ends but very little was troubling either keeper.

The second-half saw Orpington step up a gear.  Adam Noad turned on the edge of the penalty area but saw his shot tipped over by the keeper.  A Dave Johnson corner was headed over by Perry Belchamber.  Meanwhile, Renford reminded everyone that he was still a threat - his volley being well saved by Nick Blue in the O’s goal.

However, Orpington were by now creating most of the chances but try as they might they couldn’t find the net - Perry Belchamber shot over from an Adam Noad cross; a Billy Webb first-time effort was wide; Rob Quick headed against the post from a Byron Beard long throw.

In the final minute, Bridon looked as if they were going to claim all three points - Lindsay ran down the right cut inside across the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot that looked destined for the top right-hand corner only for Nick Blue to tip it over the bar.

No goals but plenty of chances.

Orpington: Nick Blue; Danny Taylor, Danny Gorman (Darren Shelton, 31), Gary Wigzell, Byron Beard; Rob Quick, Perry Belchamber, Adam Noad, Dave Johnson; Gary Gorman (Billy Webb, 60), Anthony Weir.

Phil Alder

Orpington FC