No.44 - Sat. 8th March 2008; KCL Inter Regional Cup Semi-Final                                2.15pm at Green Court Road, Crockenhill, Swanley, Kent (Att: 48; Prog: 32pp £1)

View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05  photos kindly provided by Phil Alder Orpington FC (0) 1  Bly Spartans (1) 1 1-2 AFTER EXTRA TIME  Spartans edge bad tempered encounter to progress Club hopper or groundhopper? It was a fleeting thought that came into my head as I arrived at Orpington Football Club for the Kent County League Inter-Regional Cup Semi-Final against Bly Spartans. Although I didn’t really seem to remember it very well I had in fact been to the ground many years before to watch a Kent Senior League game. On that occasion Alma Swanley FC beat Crockenhill by three goals to nil on 28th August 1990. No, this wasn’t something I suddenly recalled from memory but it was a match listed inside the fading pages of my old blue pocket notebook. The question still remained though: was this re-visit (to attend another game) counted as club tick or a ground tick?   We approached the ground via the M25 (junction 3 using the A20) to Swanley and then on to Crockenhill. The ground in Green Court Road didn’t look too familiar either. I suppose seventeen years is a long time in between visits. A modern club house is found at the far end of a rather rough bumpy car park. Although you can see the pitch and main stand from behind some large metal railings, entrance to the ground is through the clubhouse. This has a smart, modern livery and large screen TV. A wide range of hot and cold food can be ordered from the bar during the afternoon. You then cross a small patio area next to the changing rooms before coming out pitchside behind the goal.   Although there isn’t much space here many home fans tend to congregate behind this end during the game. However with the weather conditions deteriorating rapidly many soon sought refuge in the main stand on the far side. Although it’s not built for comfort and doesn’t afford a great view of the game it does afford protection from the bitter windchill and persistent rain. The rest of the ground is open. During a break in the weather it was possible to pick out some of the taller buildings on the not too distant Canary Wharf.   After what seemed a well contested first half, the game turned sour in the later stages. Bly took a well deserved lead following some good build up play on the edge of the box. The O's rallied and got back into the match with a well struck equaliser. With no further goals during the rest of normal time, the deadlock was broken in extra time when the visitors nicked a winner to earn a place in the final. Sadly both sides ended the game with ten players after some unnecessary rash tackling was punished with the referee's red card. As we made our way behind the dug outs it soon became apparent (by the colourful language) that the visiting 'gaffa' was not pleased with his captain who had just been sent off. To quote a good Yorkshire phrase there was definitely ‘trouble at mill’. For the record, a crowd of about 50, including a couple of travellers, were in attendance.   A special mention must go to Phil Alder, the club's hard-working programme editor. Phil had already sent me a copy of this season’s superb 32 page in the post issue a few weeks earlier and this certainly is a very impressive production (see the Programme Review for February for some more details). Neatly laid out, his matchday magazine comes complete with glossy gold and black cover and each edition contains the match details on the front with plenty of news, reviews and stats all in full colour throughout. What sets it apart from other decent programmes in this league are the detailed match reports and accompanying photos (with captions) - absolutely terrific and if you haven’t got a copy yet contact the club now! Indeed I am totally indebted to Phil for sending me the images for this game after my trusty Fuji camera decided to pack up just before kick-off! What great service.   It is also worth pointing out that whilst Orpington do not have the necessary ground facilities to progress up the pyramid their opponents Bly do have a better chance to realise their ambition. Spartans, top of the KCL Division 1 East, do have lights already and are waiting to install them in the near future. A couple of their travelling supporters said that the club are keen to move up to the Kent Senior League and beyond. Watch this space!   A visit to this friendly club comes highly recommended. My re-visit was well worth it and supported the fact that some of us on the circuit must be 'football club hoppers' too!?                                   FGIF Rating: 5*  www.orpingtonfc.com

edited on 10/03/08