Sat 11th Aug: Premier Division
Bearsted 2
R.Hayward
G.Venamore
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Orpington 3
A.Weir (2)
D.Gorman
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Bearsted found themselves up against a newly promoted Orpington side that seemed on the day more determined to meet the challenge of an exceptionally early start to the season. Although the scoreline remained level for 25 minutes it was the away side that were creating the more interesting chances, with Anthony Weir causing most of the problems up front with his darting runs and neat control. Adam Noad was also playing an active role with his prompting from midfield. The home side's threat mainly came from the runs of Lee Radford and the robust play of Kevin Swaisland, who at times took full advantage of the visitor's somewhat square defending, which at times threatened to bear fruit. However, Orpington did look more likely to be the team to open the scoring and that moment arrived after 25 minutes, when a ball was swung deep into the Bear's penalty area where Weir managed to get around Alex Collings to score from 12 yards to send his side in front at the break.
The early stages of the second half saw both sides having their share of
Chances, first when Dave Richardson made a great save from Weir when clear on goal and then at the other end when Robbie Wheeler just failed to get on the end of a deep long cross into the penalty area. The equaliser did arrive however after 60 minutes, when Simon Broadway found Swaisland on the right, to run into the box only to be pulled down by goalkeeper Nick Blue, Wheeler stepping up to make no mistake from the spot. Soon after, the game could have been won when the advancing Broadway turned a left wing corner onto the bar from six yards. These hopes suddenly evaporated soon after following when a cross by Weir found the head of Danny Gorham to head home from close range at the far post. Bearsted's misery was not improved soon after, when a throw out from Richardson was intercepted by Bill Webb to pass the ball across to be despatched by Weir with a volley from 8 yards. With only 5 minutes remaining the game suddenly became less than a foregone conclusion when a deep ball into the box found Swaisland to head back across goal for Gavin Venamore to score with a low header from close range. Indeed the game may well have been saved just before the final whistle, when a series of corners caused a great deal of confusion in the Orpington defence which they managed to survive and enjoy the experience of picking up their first points in the top flight.
Allan Hefferon - Bearsted FC |
