The culmination of the Essex over 65s Walking Football League took place at Chelmsford City on Tuesday 15th October on what started as a damp day but cleared up by the start of play. These finals comprised four teams: Leyton Orient, Grays, Little Oakley and Parringdon Pirates. The format was a round robin league so each team played every other team in 20 minute games of two halves. The winner of the resulting league would be crowned Essex over 65s League Champion 2019. The Orient over 65s team captain, Phil Stevenson, was still carrying an injury and so managed the team on the day.

First up for Leyton Orient were the 2018 League winners, Little Oakley. Orient started well controlling long periods of the game but only really had one meaningful shot on target when Miller thundered a shot off the bar. Orient’s defence were absolutely solid and made sure it was all square at half time. The second half saw Little Oakley come out with a high pressing game which forced Orient back into their own half. Sullivan came into his own and pulled off three outstanding saves over the course of the half. As the clock approached full time the Os pushed for a winner but just couldn’t break through the Little Oakley defence. Final score: Little Oakley 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

The second game of the day was against Parringdon Pirates. Again this was a game of missed opportunities with the Os never really coming under any pressure in the first half but not capitalising on their good ball possession and at times being wasteful with the ball. The second half saw a good chance for Miller well saved and a couple of outstanding saves by Sullivan kept Orient in the game but a goal of their own just would not come. When Taylor was blue carded for an inadvertent foul Orient weathered being a man down but just could not find a decisive shot on the Parringdon goal. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Parringdon Pirates.

Orient now had to win their final game of the day against Grays to stand any chance of lifting the title. Unfortunately Schneider was injured early on. Probably the best move of the day saw Miller get the ball out to Green but his shot went wide. Green now seemed to have got the shooting habit and fired in another couple of shots before half time but to no avail. The second half started pretty much as the first half had finished with the Os putting pressure on Grays with first Miller and then Rehal both having good shots saved by the Grays keeper. When Grays had a man blue carded Orient piled on even more pressure but Grays defended in depth not allowing Orient any clear chances. Disappointingly the game ended as yet another goalless draw. Final score: Grays 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

Given that Little Oakley had won two and drawn one, Grays had won one and drawn one, Little Oakley were crowned winners of the Essex over 65s League 2019. This was a disappointing day for Leyton Orient as they had managed to go through the day undefeated but in not being able to find the net had ended up third overall. However it should not be forgotten the series of excellent results that had put them in the finals. Out of their sixteen games played they won nine, drew 6 and only lost one game, scoring fourteen goals and only conceding three. If this sort of form can be carried forward into the 2020 season there is every chance that the Os can come out on top.

Well done to all the players who turned out for the team over the course of what was fundamentally a successful first season albeit a disappointing final day.

Leyton Orient squad: Jon Barrick, Tony Brooks, Colin Green, Keith Miller, Ajit Rehal, Gerry Schneider (Capt), Tony Sullivan, (Gk), Alan Taylor, Steve Tongue.

Location

Chelmsford City FC, Solarno Way, Chelmsford