Orpington surrendered their unbeaten start to the season, and with it top spot,  when they went down 1-0 to Milton Athletic.

This revised fixture caught Orpington on the hop as they travelled to Sittingbourne to play a club reportedly in difficulties.  However, far from looking like a club with an uncertain future, Milton Athletic dug deep and fielded a side that would prove a match for any side in the Premier Division.  They may have lacked a bit of punch up front but they performed well as a unit, stuck to their task and never gave an inch.

Orpington for their part were missing four regulars but still had a side capable of continuing their unbeaten start to the season.  However, the O’s struggled to find their rhythm and lacked imagination in trying to break down their opponents.

Milton came closest to scoring in the opening exchanges when a Milton forward raced down the right, cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot just wide of the far post.  Orpington were enjoying a lot of possession but few opportunities in front of goal thanks mainly due to a solid Milton defence.  However, Orpington found that their better chances were from set-pieces and two successive corners after twenty minutes, taken by Billy Webb, were both headed narrowly wide by Perry Belchamber.  In fact Perry was to win the vast majority of headers in the Milton penalty area, but without any success.

Orpington continued to try and find a way round the Milton defence but the home side’s full-backs were in top form, keeping Jamie Hughes and Billy Webb quiet.

Milton again started the brighter at the re-start and following a good move down the left nearly scored but a Milton forward narrowly failed to connect with a low cross.

Orpington responded when Rob Quick ran down the right and played the ball to centre-field for Adam Noad to line up a shot only to see it pass over the bar.  Meanwhile, Perry Belchamber was heading just over or just wide from free-kicks and corners.  But Orpington’s best chance arrived when Jamie Hughes played strike partner Billy Webb through the middle but the forward’s low shot was well saved by the Milton ‘keeper.

With twenty minutes to go, Milton broke away and got the ball into the Orpington penalty area.  A clumsy challenge and Milton had themselves a penalty.  The Milton penalty taker tucked the ball inside the left-hand post to give the home side the lead.

Orpington then threw everything at the Milton goal but rarely looked like breaking through.  Perry kept winning the aerial challenges but, under pressure, couldn’t get the direction needed.  His best effort came in the dying seconds when having directed the ball goal-wards, it deflected off the back of a defender and crept over the bar.

Much celebration for the home fans on the balcony of the clubhouse at the final whistle, while Orpington trundled off for a post-mortem.

Orpington: Nicky Blue, Danny Sandford, Gary Wigzell, Dave Johnson, Adam Noad (Darren Shelton, 71), Perry Belchamber, Rob Quick (Darren Castle, 85), George Belchamber, Jack Lynch (Danny Taylor, 71), Billy Webb, Jamie Hughes.

Milton Athletic: Danny Eason, Johnny Tarling, Matt Turner, Rayan Davis, Ian Fullager, Daniel Baverstock, Dwain Prince, Miles McCleran, Steve Collar, Daniel Swan, Lee Friend, Lee Steele, Paul Turner, Lee Bravery

Phil Alder

Orpington FC