Another three points for the O’s as they attempt to put pressure on the leaders of Division 1 West.  Not the most inspiring headlines but not the most inspiring of matches..  Orpington deserved to win but struggled to convince in front of goal.

Some credit must go the Belvedere defence who made life as difficult as possible for the O’s forwards.  Always close marking, always anticipating the play and rarely losing concentration.

Orpington had the lion’s share of possession in the first-half but created few chances..  Their best move resulted in the half’s only goal - a flowing move down the left saw Billy Webb and Anthony Weir exchange passes to allow Adam Noad to cross the ball into the ‘Dere’s penalty box.  Rob Quick collected the ball on the far-side of the area and fired in a low cross to Jamie Hughes.  Jamie, with back to goal, turned and drilled the ball home past the ‘keeper..

Thereafter, for the remainder of the half, both teams rarely troubled the ‘keepers..

Billy Webb did manage a shot from inside the area, after Anthony Weir’s initial effort had been blocked, but it was wide of the target.  Belvedere were awarded two free-kicks in promising positions but didn’t take advantage of either.

The second-half saw the visitors in a more lively mood.  An injection of pace into their forward play caused the O’s problems.  Ten minutes into the second period and a Belvedere move seemed to have fizzled out when Nicky Blue raced out to clear the ball.  Unfortunately, the ball cannoned off team-mate Gary Wigzell allowing ‘Dere’s forward Gary Smith to slot the ball into an open goal for the equalizer - red faces and double teapots all-round.

However, Orpington responded positively to the set-back and within ten minutes had gained a two-goal advantage.  Firstly, an O’s corner caused problems in the visitor’s penalty box.  Adam Noad eventually crashed the ball home from close range after turning neatly in a crowded area.  Seven minutes later, and Orpington had themselves a penalty after Neil Roffey in the ’Dere’s goal brought down Billy Webb when he was clean through.  Roffey was shown the yellow card for his misdemeanour.  Meanwhile, all eyes were on who was going to take responsibility for what has become a none to successful exercise for the O’s in recent seasons, excluding penalty shoot-outs.  Anthony Weir took on the challenge and made things look easy as he sent Roffey the wrong way to give Orpington a 3-1 advantage..

Orpington managed to elude the ‘Dere’s off-side trap on a number of occasions but when the shots were on target they found Roffey in fine form - the most notable save coming from a Gary Gorman effort that was pushed onto the bar and over for a corner.

Belvedere themselves were continuing to press forward and were unlucky when Bradley Barrett found space inside the O’s penalty area to shoot past Nicky Blue, only to see his effort come back off the post into Nicky’s grateful arms.

Orpington will see this as a job done but may be disappointed that they didn’t create more openings, particularly in the first-half.

Meanwhile the Reserves continue their rampant scoring.  A 6-2 win at Westerham Reserves being their latest triumph.  They have now notched up 36 goals in just seven games.  Scott Middlewood with another hat-trick.  The other goals coming from Karl Martin, a Bill Scamp header (from a Darren Shelton cross) and Matt Noad - a touch of the twilight zone here with twin brother Adam scoring on the same day for the Firsts).

Next week Orpington travel to Greenways in the league, while the Reserves are at home to Wickham Park (this is a change to the original fixture).

Orpington: Nicky Blue; Gary Wigzell (capt), Danny Gorman, Byron Beard; Jamie Hughes, Rob Quick, Adam Noad (Jon Ashby, 81), George Belchamber (Gary Gorman, 66), Perry Belchamber (Dave Johnson, 75); Billy Webb, Anthony Weir 

Belvedere: Neil Roffey; Brian Smith, Luke Hammond (Lee Tinker, 33), Adam Greenland, Richard Edwards, Simon Smith, Bradley Barrett (capt), Dan Freeman Roach, Gary Smith, Jamie Thomas (Matt Ashley, 75).  Sub not used: Rob Wheeler.

Phil Alder

Orpington FC