The warmest day of the year so far - a balmy 24°C - to begin Orpington‘s last quarter of the season.  But for Sam Montagu, this was their final game of the season.  The two sides had met the previous week, with the O’s running out 3-1 winners. 

Orpington were still without the injured Jamie Hughes, and George Belchamber was away on holiday.  Centre-half Danny Gorman began on the bench alongside Danny Sandford, who has been playing a big part in the Rezzer’s success this season.  Among the starters were Billy Webb and Dave Johnson.

With the disappointment of a draw at Bridon on Monday, the O’s were keen to get an early goal to settle any nerves.  Anthony Weir nearly provided the early breakthrough when he headed Dave Johnson’s corner towards the top right hand corner of the goal, but Peter Mason in the Sam goal produced a good save to keep it out.

On ten minutes Gary Gorman’s cross from the by-line was met at the far-post by the head of Billy Webb but his effort was wide of the goal.  From the goal-kick Sam produced their best move of the match - a string of passes leading to a blocked shot from just inside the O’s penalty area.

Darren Shelton, who was to prove a handful in midfield, pressed forward on a number of occasions.  In the thirteenth minute he got on the end of a move involving Danny Taylor, Billy Webb and Gary Gorman to produce a shot from twenty yards that was just wide of the left-hand post.

But less than a minute later and the Os’ got the breakthrough they were looking for - Gary Gorman appeared to be free of the last defender but went crashing to the ground inside the penalty area.  Derek Peck had little option but to award a penalty.  Anthony Weir scored from the spot, despite Mason going the right way.

Orpington cannot usually rely on one goal and so were just as anxious in looking for a second.  A backward header by Weir sent Gary Gorman on his way down the right and his cross found Billy Webb whose shot was again just wide of the far-post.  Billy Webb was getting closer but was to be frustrated all afternoon - a minute later he got as close as he could without actually scoring - a left foot strike, from a neat Rob Quick pass, this time struck the right hand post.

Mid-way through the half and Anthony Weir exchanged a one-two with GG on the edge of then penalty area but Weir’s shot was well saved by Mason.

A rare forage into the Orpington half, resulted in a corner for Sam.  The set-piece caused a bit of a panic in the O’s penalty area before the ball was eventually cleared.

The O’s were putting pressure in the Sam half and GG dispossessed a defender to put in a cross where Weir headed the ball back into the path of Perry Belchamber.  But the midfielder’s shot was wide.

Three minutes before half-time and the Os’ got their two goal cushion.  GG was sent clear and rounded Mason to calmly roll the ball into the inviting open goal. 

Just before the interval, Rob Quick headed wide from a Billy Webb free-kick.

After the break, Sam nearly got the goal that would have brought them back into game - Lee Putnam seemed to be chasing a lost cause but he managed to muscle his way past Danny Taylor and into the penalty area - but his shot rolled just the wrong side of the post.

Within seven minutes and the O’s were out of sight.  Firstly, Dave Johnson played a measured pass over the defence for Gary Gorman to race onto shoot past the keeper for a 3-0 lead.  Two minutes later, and Sam failed to clear a corner allowing Anthony Weir to control the ball and fire home from inside the penalty area for a scoreline of 4-0.

From then on it was just a question of whether Orpington could add to their tally - Billy Webb continued to try his luck from a number of angles and distances but to no avail.  Perry Belchamber had three attempts all from long range and all off target but he was unlucky with a fourth strike which came down off the underside of the cross-bar and was eventually cleared.  The final action of the game could also have a led to a goal - Danny Gorman’s shot was parried by Mason only for GG to hit the bar from close range.

Orpington travel to Westerham on Thursday.  A question for all grounhoppers - if a club stay at the same ground but move their pitch does that mean you have to visit the ground again?  If so, get down to Westerham on Thursday ‘cos this season they play on a pitch nearer the clubhouse (so I‘m told).

Orpington: Nick Blue; Danny Taylor, Byron Beard, Gary Wigzell (Danny Sandford, 62); Dave Johnson, Billy Webb, Darren Shelton, Rob Quick (Adam Noad, 62), Perry Belchamber; Gary Gorman, Anthony Weir (Danny Gorman, 62).

Sam Montagu YC: Peter Maosn, Jason Anderson, Danny Morrison, Tony Halliday, Mark Kennor (Joe Jukes, 62), Tim Griggs, Joe Pressney, Paul Watts, James Adams (James Davie), Jason Jeffries, Lee Putnam; subs not used: Steve Board, Jack Sandford.

Phil Alder

Orpington FC