Bromleians Sports 1 v 5 Orpington

British Energy Kent County League, Division 1 (West)

THE usual aroma of ammonia and the sight of a pile of rotting fruit greeted us to Scrubbs Farm for this "first-leg" of a double-header between two neighbouring rivals.

The pitch looked in excellent condition and with bright sunshine there was almost an air of spring about the place - had it not been blowing an Arctic wind.

Bromelians lying mid-table will always give a good account of themselves and they certainly were not phased after going behind after only seven minutes.

Michael Bishop headed on Byron Beard's long throw and found Jamie Hughes unmarked and the striker placed his header wide of the keeper.

Bishop was then unlucky to see his shot go the wrong side of the post just two minutes later.

But the home side were determined to get back in the match and they did not have long to wait.

A long ball over the O's defence was getting away from the Bromleians striker but the intended clearance by keeper Nicky Blue was blocked.

The ball was retrieved by the forward and from the tightest of angles he calmly placed his shot inside the far-post to bring the scores level after only 12 minutes.

From then on the home side created the better chances but were either denied by poor finishing or good goalkeeping - one chance in particular had goal written all over it but Blue somehow got down to push it round the post for a corner.

Orpington were finding going forward a bit of a problem and the long throws of Beard looked to be their most potent weapon.

And so it proved when, this time from the other side of the pitch, the left-sided midfielder hurled in another 'cross' which found the head of Sean Burgin who flicked the ball beyond the outstretched keeper.

Despite the 2-1 half-time lead the Orpington management were not best pleased wanting more effort and more attempts at goal.

The players responded in the second half and Rob Quick could have increased the lead as early as the 47th minute but he blazed over from 10 yards.

However, 10 minutes later and the Os did find the their third goal.

Rob Quick played the ball forward to Gary Gorman who slipped it through to Hughes.

The forward outstripped his marker and prodded the ball home.

The Os defence were keeping a tight reign on the Bromleians' forwards and the "two Dannys" with captain Wigzell snuffed out any promising moves.

The midfield were winning more balls and feeding their forwards - with Sean Burgin and George Belchamber leading the way.

Orpington took control of the match from there on in and could have doubled their eventual tally.

However, some rather disappointing finishes meant they had to settle for a less.

But the Os still enjoyed the afternoon and Hughes, who had been a threat all match, raced onto a through ball and held the play up until he picked out his strike partner Gorman who fired home from 20 yards.

A triple substitution saw the introduction of Tony Hoadley, Bill Scamp and, after a long lay-off, Dave Johnson.

And it was Scamp who rounded off the scoring two minutes from time when he curled the ball round the keeper from just inside the penalty area.

MATCH FACTS: ORPINGTON: Blue; D Gorman (Hoadley, 70); Taylor; Wigzell; Belchamber; Burgin; Quick (Johnson, 74); Bishop; Beard; G Gorman (Scamp, 74); Hughes.