Tuesday 8th October saw Orient send two teams to the Epping friendly tournament featuring the hosts Epping, Cheshunt and Leyton Orient. This six-a-side tournament was split into two sections, over 50s and over 65s with the Orient over 65s using it as a warm-up for their final league decider the following week.

The over 50s saw themselves up against some tough opposition and considering that all bar one of their squad was over 60 and players who had to get used to playing in unfamiliar positions, the squad put in some sterling performances in defeat.

The over 50s first game against Epping was very much about the team getting used to each other and for some, the concentration and discipline of competitive walking football. Sure enough it wasn’t long before an overload on the Orient left led to Epping’s opening goal. Epping scented the the Os were for the taking and continued to play a high pressing game forcing Orient back into their own half. Eventually the inevitable happened and Orient were two down. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 2 Epping

Next for the over 50s were Cheshunt who were a very good pass and move team. Yet again Orient just couldn’t seem to break out of their own half and although the defence did their very best some quick passes were their undoing and Cheshunt fired in two unanswered goals. Final score: Cheshunt 2 v 0 Leyton Orient.

After a short break Orient took on Epping in their return fixture and this was a more disciplined game. The defence was slightly tweaked with Cheston moving to left back while M Taylor moved to the right. Orient were now getting some joy attacking the Epping goal but Epping were still a danger and eventually broke through to slot home the winner. Epping 1 v 0 Leyton Orient.

The final game of the day saw the over 50s reprise their match against the strong Cheshunt. This time Cheshunt did not have it all their own way and although Orient never looked like scoring Cheshunt were also denied on countless occasions by a solid defence. But this was just not going to be Orient over 50’s day with Cheshunt getting the winner. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Cheshunt.

Meanwhile the over 65s were using their four games as a trial and warm-up for their forthcoming league challenge.

The 65s first game was against Cheshunt and the team dominated the game from start to finish with excellent possession, good ball retention and game management. Walsh, who was making his debut, hit the post on several occasions. Unfortunately this was one of those games where the game play wasn’t rewarded by the result. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Cheshunt.

Next up for the Os were Epping and now Orient were well into their stride with good pass and move football combined with early closing down that gave Epping no room to attack or even get out of their own half. After several close attempts a Walsh miss kicked shot squirmed under the keeper and into the Epping net for Walsh’s first goal for Orient. This seemed to break the non-scoring spell and Walsh fired in a second with Green powering a third to put the game to bed. Final score: Epping 0 v 3 Leyton Orient (Walsh 2, Green).

Next up was the rematch against Cheshunt and again Orient over 65s bossed the game with the defence repelling any Cheshunt attack while laying siege to the Cheshunt goal. The breakthrough finally came with a sweetly hit goal by Walsh. Final score: Cheshunt 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Walsh).

The final game of the day saw Orient take on the hosts Epping in what turned out to be another mismatch. Orient completely dominated the game with Epping hardly venturing into the Orient half. Rehal broke the deadlock from close range after a good passing move. Hockley then cheekily got in on the act with a neat little poachers strike from the edge of the box. However the goal of the day has to go to Rehal who, with the last kick of the game, fired in a thunderbolt from twenty yards out that flew into the top corner. Final score: Epping 0 v 3 Leyton Orient (Rehal 2, Hockley).

This was a fine days performance by the over 65s who were expertly managed from the sideline by their currently injured skipper, Phil Stevenson. If the Leyton Orient over 65s continue to play the way they did in this tournament then they have every chance of picking up the league trophy on Tuesday 15th October. Come on you Orient!!

Leyton Orient over 50s squad: Len Cheston, Steve Eades, Derek Myers, Trevor Ridley (Capt), Terry Sommers, Mark Taylor, Paul Taylor (Gk).

Leyton Orient over 65s squad: John Bancroft, Jon Barrick, Keith Everett (Gk), Colin Green, John Hockley, Ajit Rehal, Steve Tongue, Kevin Walsh.

Goal Scorers: Walsh 3, Rehal 2, Green, Hockley.

Location

Town Mead PArk, 12 Brooker Rd, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JH