Orpington Athletic 2 vs 3 Woolwich Common FC

Orpington exited the Plumstead Challenge Cup at the first round thanks to a 3-2 defeat to newly created Woolwich Common FC. Despite a tenacious second half performance, the team were subjected to some woeful officiating and were unable to progress.

Orpington did not make the job easy on themselves, performing weakly in the first half and conceding 2 avoidable goals. However, in the second half, a rally cry from the team heightened the intensity levels and just after the hour, Mike Adamou scored his first of the season.

Orpington leveled the score with a thunderous header from skipper, Terry Fowler, however the goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside. The resultant free kick was thumped long and Woolwich restored their 2 goal advantage, taking the score to 3-1. Orpington were rightly aggrieved as the free kick had been taken a good 10 yards advanced from the alleged offside.

Orpington fought bravely and were denied 2 clear penalty calls. Harry Utton pulled one more back following a scramble in the box, but with tired legs and injuries, Orpington didn't quite have enough to finish the job.

Orpington begin another cup journey next Sunday, with a visit from AFC Beckenham.