This over 65s series of friendly games has been held about every three months for more than a year now and is slowing growing in numbers. This is in no small part due to it being neither a league nor a cup tournament but a series of friendly games where there is no winner on the day. With twelve teams competing from Watford in the west to Norwich the most northerly team, from Bexley and Walton in south London to Romford and Parringdon closer to home the friendly nature of these games is growing ever stronger.

Orient entered two teams, A (Reds) and B (Blues) each playing in a separate group of six teams. Each team played five games within the group with each game being twelve minutes straight through, giving a total of sixty minutes game time.

Leyton Orient A were first up against Norwich. Orient started with Everett in goal, Barrick, Brooks and Bancroft across the back, Tongue in mid-field and A Taylor up front. This was a very even game with both teams defending well and trying to move the ball quickly up to their strikers. Orient nicked a goal when Tongue intercepted a weak cross ball and calmly beat the Norwich keeper. Final score: Norwich 0 v 1 Leyton Orient A (Tongue).

Leyton Orient B’s first game was against Barnet Bio Bees. Orient’s starting line was P Taylor in goal, Pope, Young and Rehal across the back with Hockley in mid-field and Shipp up front. Orient played a very fluid formation and these seemed to do the trick as two goals each from Hockley and Rehal easily compensated for the single goal they conceded. Final score: Barnet Bio Bees 1 v 4 Leyton Orient (Hockley 2, Rehal 2).

Parringdon Pirates were Orient A’s next opponents. Stevenson came on for Bancroft while Schneider replaced Taylor. Orient scored when a quick free-kick was converted by Schneider. Unfortunately the O’s were immediately undone when a Parringdon free-kick was converted by a fierce shot past Everett. Parringdon then went on to add another brace putting the game beyond Orient A. Final score: Parringdon 3 v 1 Leyton Orient (Schneider).

Walton from southwest London were next up for Orient B and Walton’s better passing accuracy and positional discipline told on Orient with Walton scoring four with no reply. Final score: Walton 4 v 0 Leyton Orient B.

Orient A now met Bracknell in their third game of the day. Bracknell were a very good technical team with a striker whose movement and quick feet were a constant problem for the Orient defence. Brooks did very well to thwart the Bracknell striker but could not block every shot. Orient had taken an early lead when A Taylor converted a good pass from Schneider but Bracknell then converted five before Orient found their shooting boots and converted two of their own before the final whistle. Final score: Bracknell 5 v 3 Leyton Orient A (A Taylor 2, Schneider).

Leyton Orient B now took on a very strong Watford team and despite some plucky play Orient conceded four without getting a meaningful strike on the Watford goal. Final score: Watford 4 v 0 Leyton Orient B.

Leyton Orient A now had the pleasure of taking on their old friends Romford. This was an excellent team performance with A Taylor and Schneider pulling the Romford defenders all over the pitch. Orient’s first goal was a Schneider interception that he slotted away. For the O’s second A Taylor found Schneider who converted again. Orient’s third goal came from Barrick who cleverly passed the ball around a group of players, past the keeper and in off the far post. During another Orient attack the Romford goalkeeper stepped out of the box. A Taylor stepped up to calmly slot home the penalty. With only seconds left on the clock A Taylor scored his second and Orient’s fifth. Final score: Romford 0 v 5 Leyton Orient B (Schneider 2, A Taylor 2, Barrick).

Orient B’s penultimate game of the day was against a strong Bexley side and with Orient struggling due to lack of fitness and tired legs Bexley quickly got their first. It was then pretty much one way traffic and it was only resolute defending that kept the score down. Final score: Bexley 4 v 0 Orient B.

Orient A’s last game of the day was against their very good friends, Barnet Bobs. These teams have played each other in every renewal of this competition and the games have always been well contested. Orient started with Everett in goal, Stevenson, Brooks and Schneider across the back, Barrick in mid-field and Tongue up front. Orient stunned Barnet when Barrick scored an outstanding opening goal from mid-field. Barnet then drew level when they also scored from a mid-field shot. Everett then kept the scores level when he made a stunning diving save. Schneider then picked the ball up on the left and curled the ball into the far corner. Unfortunately Everett misjudged his position and took a step out of the box. Barnet then converted the resulting penalty. Bancroft and A Taylor came on for Brooks and Schneider and just as it looked as if the game was going to finish all square A Taylor popped up with the winner. Final score: Barnet Bobs 2 v 3 Leyton Orient (Barrick, Schneider, A Taylor).

Orient B’s final game of the day really was a game to far. Legs were tired and aching and concentration levels had dropped but this group of players gave everything they had. Perhaps if they had come up against a less able team the outcome may have been different but the Norwich A team were in no mood to show any clemency. Final score: Norwich A 5 v 0 Leyton Orient B.

Yet again this Over 65s Friendly Round Robin proved to be hugely successful and met it’s overarching aim of bringing together over one hundred walking footballers to play a game they all enjoy in the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship where taking part is more important than winning. As is the tradition each team captain nominated their team’s player of the day. For Leyton Orient A this was Jon Barrick. For Leyton Orient B it was John Hockley. Both Orient teams played well and the Over 65s selectors know more now about their players than they did before.

Leyton Orient A (Reds) squad: Jon Barrick, John Bancroft, Tony Brooks, Keith Everett (Gk), Gerry Schneider, Phil Stevenson (Capt), Steve Tongue, Alan Taylor

Leyton Orient B (Blues) squad: John Hockley, Roger Pope, Ajit Rehal, Ray Russo (Capt), Ted Shipp, Paul Taylor (Gk), Tony Young.

Goal scorer: Schneider 5, A. Taylor 5, Barrick 2, Hockley 2, Rehal 2, Tongue.

Location

playfootball, Romford