A wet damp Thursday afternoon saw Leyton Orient Over 50s and Over 60s head over to Hainault for a pair of friendly fixtures against Redbridge. The matches were played on boarded large seven-a-side pitches with larger than normal 16’ x 6’ goals.

The Orient over 50s only had seven players available and lined up with Sullivan in goal, Brennan and Franklin at the back, midfield was Baker, Pillay and Clancy with Lillington up front.

With no referee in attendance it was left to whichever Redbridge player was sub to take the whistle and the game was played to the ‘Redbridge rules’, tackling was allowed as long as it wasn’t on a Redbridge player, very little walking and keepers could not kick the ball out which Sullivan struggled to get the hang of. On a very wet surface Redbridge took an early lead with a shot that skidded off the surface to beat Sullivan. Orient started to get to grips with the large pitch and began their passing game and it wasn’t long before Lillington set up Pillay to score, again with a shot that skidded off the surface. Clancy then set up Lillington to score smartly to put Orient ahead at the first break.

In the second half shots peppered down on the Redbridge goal with most of Franklin and Clancy’s shots either straight at the keeper or high and wide but luckily Lillington had his shooting boots on scoring a further three goals, the fifth and last being the pick of the bunch, a crisp left foot finish into the bottom corner.

The ‘Redbridge rules’ then kicked in where, despite time being up, the teams kept playing injury time until Redbridge scored, 20 minutes later, when fatigue and boredom had overcome Orient, Redbridge scored two consolation goals so everyone could head off to the bar. Final score: Redbridge 3 v 5 Leyton Orient over 50s (Lillington 4, Pillay).

Paul Franklin, the Orient over 50s skipper, said after play that this was ‘A very enjoyable eighty minutes football with all seven players playing the whole game and contributing to a good win. The over 50s Man of the Match goes to Lillington A big thanks to Redbridge for arranging the game and for the hospitality.’

Meanwhile Orient over 60s were taking on Redbridge on an ajoining pitch. The format differed slightly from what Orient were used to due to the fact that Redbridge are used to playing three touch football. It was also decided that each game would finish when one of the teams had scored five goals. This was a seven a side fixture. Orient lined up with Brunt in goal, Brooks and Stevenson at the back, a midfield of Gould, Dooley and Cox with Green up front. Due to the inclement weather and reflecting the spirit of the day the O’s suggested to Redbridge that they play with eight players so no one had to suffer the cold as a sub. This was gratefully accepted by Redbridge. Unfortunately during the second game a Redbridge player pulled a muscle and so the games reverted to seven a side.

The O’s scored twenty goals over the four games and after the games people struggled to remember the order of the goals and who provided the assists. A couple of high (low) lights were as follows. With the first game locked goalless the O’s were awarded a penalty. Up stepped a confident Coxy. Why he was confident is a mystery. A pathetic attempt was comfortably saved by the opposition keeper. He did later make amends. Only Lillington has had a worse attempt at a penalty so far this season. The O’s conceded two goals over the two games. The first was inexcusable when Brooksie was left on his own at the back with three Redbridge forwards. Where was the invisible man? (Stevenson). The second Redbridge goal was a beauty, an unstoppable shot from distance. Despite having little to do Brunt produced a couple of vital saves.

This was a good workout for Orient over 60s. There was a lot of nice one touch football played and a number of goals were scored through good passing movements. Each member of the the team made telling contributions. Dooley cleverly used the back boards to create a couple of goals.

Final scores:

Game 1: Leyton Orient Over 60s 5 v 1 Redbridge
Game 2: Leyton Orient Over 60s 5 v 1 Redbridge
Game 3: Leyton Orient Over 60s 5 v 0 Redbridge
Game 4: Leyton Orient Over 60s 5 v 0 Redbridge

Thanks to the dubious goals panel (Coxy) a Stevenson shot which was on target but took a wicked deflection was generously given to the skipper. That this decision was made in the bar after the game is irrelevant.

Orient’s over 65s captain, Phil Stevenson,enthused after the game saying ‘I would like to thank Redbridge for organising the fixture. The games were played in a good spirit and despite the weather it was an enjoyable event. Thanks also to Redbridge for the refreshments they provided post match.’

Leyton Orient Over 50s squad: Tony Sullivan (Gk), Mick Brennan, Paul Franklin, Simon Baker, Nad Pillay, David Clancy, Julian Lillington.

Leyton Orient Over 65s squad: Colin Brunt (Gk), Tony Brooks, Phil Stevenson (capt). Alan Cox, Howard Gould, Vince Dooley, Colin Green.

Goals Scorers: Cox 7, Green 5, Lillington 4, Gould 4, Dooley 2, Stevenson 2.

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Image used © Trevor Ridley

Location

Fairlop Oaks Playing Fields, Forest Rd, Ilford IG6 3HX, UK