We are aiming to finish in the top 10, which will be a massive improvement on last season, says Orpington boss Marc Bentz

ORPINGTON manager Marc Bentz says he is targeting a top-ten finish this season.

The O’s are presently sitting in 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with 30 points from 26 games and are five points adrift of tenth-placed side Phoenix Sports Reserves going into their last 10 games.

Orpington went down to a 3-1 home defeat to title-chasing Glebe last weekend, a game that was ruined by referee Bo Wang, claimed Bentz.

“It was a very frustrating game,” he said.

“I felt they shaded us in the first half but a mistake and early goal was the difference between the two sides.

“We came out with the aim to win the second half and felt we were the stronger side but another mistake cost us another goal.”

Under fire referee Wang faced more criticism following yet another poor performance from the Ashford based official.

He said: “It was a very competitive game and one of the most enjoyable games to watch this season with some nice football on show, despite the referee trying his best to ruin in.

“It was a very competitive game with not a single bad challenge and yet he managed to show his yellow card seven times.  He missed a blatant penalty, which Adam Woodward (Glebe manager) admitted to, but that’s football, we have to get on with it.”

Orpington host FC Elmstead tomorrow, a side that are a couple of places and a point below them in the league pecking order.

“I expect this to be another competitive game, both encounters this season have been close and I am not expecting anything different tomorrow,” said Bentz.

“We are all hoping the game will go ahead tomorrow despite the bad weather.  The problem with Green Court is a fox only has to piss on it and it’s waterlogged!”

Despite not having floodlights at Green Court Road, Bentz hinted that the club will be keeping their current Step Six status next season.

He said: “We are aiming to finish in the top 10, which will be a massive improvement on last season and then we will try and keep hold of many of the boys as we can and add maybe three players and then give it a good go next season.”

Visit Orpington’s website:  www.orpingtonfc.org.uk

Orpington  v  FC Elmstead
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 4^th March 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Green Court Sports Club, Green Court Road, Crockenhill, Kent BR8 8HF