An away trip to Styal with 6.30pm KO on a Tuesday evening after a days work would be difficult for most teams, this young Orford side is not most teams though...

With a squad of 15 and 6 changes to last weeks win @ Fords Orford was in positive moods, Kyren Wood, Sean Pennington, Michael Rosson and Callum Howard all played first games of season.

With commanding Lester at the back, Everson, Pennington and Ashcroft tenacious in midfield and Braithwaite and Rosson challenging up top the spine was solid. To add Heesom, Barnett as wing backs and Gallagher providing width Orford was hungry for the ball and got into Styal's faces straight away. Wood making his debut at centre half looked nervous at first then settled in as the game went on.

Styal was restricted to long distance efforts that never troubled Lonsdale in goal, only concern for Orford was the silly fouls being given away against a physical tall Styal team.
It was pleasing to see the hard work being done and this was demonstrated when Gallagher chased back to own goal line to help wing back Barnett out when help was needed.

27 minutes gone and Styal broke the deadlock after good football down Orford right ended up with Styal striker no. 9 heading home, Lonsdale will be disappointed not to get a stronger hand on it as it trickled into the net.

The greens never changed there work effort and was starting to get in good spaces in Styal's half, a break away that seen Sean play the ball to Rosson who laid it back to Ashcroft who then played perfect pass to Sean who continued his run and seen him one on one with the keeper and he slotted cooley home to send Orford in celebrations and like previous game every player joined in.

Orford collected first booking of the season in the 37th minute when Max Everson was booked for his first tackle of the game.

It was what Orford deserved and before half time arrived Lester won an ariel battle but came of the worse with a bleeding nose.

Half time and manager Braithwaite instructed his troops to continue the hard work, don't get involved and be patient. Duncan and Evans came on for Barnett and Everson.

Orford started the 2nd half the better side and Ashcroft, Braithwaite, Rosson and Pennington all having chances. Styal looked dangerous with there speed and Lonsdale saved when one on one with the speedy winger.

After great play down the right by Braithwaite Everson on for Rosson nodded the ball back and Skipper Ashcroft was there to nod home and put Orford in front. Orford was now in control of the game and not in danger as Wood and Lester looked solid and everything was in front of them.

As the game went on and the sky night started to impact the game, Styal got back into the game and started to knock on Orford's door. Heesom was solid at right back and a last ditch tackle ended with Styal getting there 5 corner in quick succession. Braithwaite, Lester, Ashcroft and Duncan all stood strong and cleared the danger.

Styal's no. 9 was the danger man and after good play he again was on the end of neat play to volley home from 10 yards to square the game 2-2.

With 10 minutes remaining and it becoming more and more difficult to see the ball Styal started to mount pressure! Lester was there at one point with an outrages tackle that ended no. 11's game.

The final whistle blew and Orford was happy with the point, Styal who dropped first points of the season was not so, after a little scuffle order was restored and Braithwaite got his players together to congratulate the performance that's 4 points in 2 games.

The kings head man of the match as voted for via Twitter goes to the whole 15 man squad with 56% of votes, Chris Lester in 2nd with 33% and Reiss Ashcroft in 3rd with 11%.

Orford FC

Styal Sports Club

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