Orpington Valiant In Defeat
⚽ Result
Interfecta FC 2
Orpington Athletic 1
🏆 Competition
Bill Braisted Memorial Trophy
Away cup match
📅 When
Sunday, 05 November 2017
📍 Venue
The Bridge Leisure Centre (Away)
Orpington produced a tremendous display against Interfecta FC despite only being able to field 10 players from the outset. Injuries to key members of the team left manager Matt Utton with a tough decision, but his able charges contained an average opponent and they were unlucky to lose 2-1.
Utton set the team up in a similar fashion to most weeks, the only absent position being the CDM. Zubair Akhtar made his first full start of the season and filled in at centre back alongside Harry Utton, whilst the rest of the team was relatively unchanged other than Dave Hart deputising in goal for the injured player/manager.
As the game began, Orpington found themselves with time and space on the ball and were able to produce some slow, but composed build up. The time afforded to them may have actually been a hindrance and they were unable to drive at an opposition who did not seem aware they were against a team with one less player. Interfecta were looking for long balls to their front two players and a slight hesitation by Akhtar allowed a quick break and a shot past the on rushing Hart, who was unable to prevent the opening goal.
Interfecta rarely troubled the depleted Orpington and half time was a chance to regroup and collect thoughts. In the second half, the game played out in much the same way. Orpington controlled play with good passing, but it was all a little too tepid and slow. Interfecta were awarded a soft penalty which was initially taken too soon, before the referee's whistle. The retake was blazed over the bar and Orpington were spared.
Orpington continued to push, but Interfecta utilised their man advantage with 15 minutes to go, finding space down the left side and squeezing in from a tight angle. Orpington pushed hard and did not lose faith, culminating in a flick from full back Anthony Knott to Laurence Downs who turned in from close range. Orpington should have pushed for an equaliser, but were guilty of being a little slow and the inevitable final whistle put an end to their fight-back.
Utton will no doubt be pleased with the performance, despite the result, and with a full strength team returning in 2 weeks, will be confident that teams like Interfecta should pose little problem to his line up.
