On a sunny and surprisingly mild January morning Orient travelled up Eastern Avenue to face familiar and strong opposition in Romford. The format was three thirty minute friendlies, Essex rules and 7-a-side.

Orient took nine players and started the first match with T Weston in goal, a back three of Perry, Rohm and Edwards, a midfield of P Weston and Okocha with Lillington up front. Orient started well moving the ball quickly and were rewarded with two excellent finishes from Okocha to take a two goal lead. Romford grew into the game and pulled one back just before half time. Birnbaum and Cox came on at half time for Rohm and Lillington. There were chances at both ends in the second half but alas the only goal came for Romford a couple of minutes from the end. Final score: Romford 2 v 2 Leyton Orient (Okocha 2).

In the second game Orient started with P Weston and Perry on the bench and the formation was switched to a 2-3-1. Orient started poorly and in the blink of an eye found themselves two goals down however things soon got WORSE. A sublime finish from Cox was the only positive to take from a seven goal to one (or was it eight) thrashing! P Weston and Perry came on at half time for Okocha and Edwards. Romford 7 v 1 Leyton Orient (Cox).

After a team pow wow Orient decided to revert back to a 3-2-1 formation for the last match. With their pride in pieces after the second match Orient responded superbly and thanks to two nice finishes from P Weston and Okocha led by two goals at the break. The strong Orient press lead to a third goal early in the second half for Okocha. Lillington and Birnbaum came on for Cox and Edwards and despite a pearler from Romford it was just a consolation as Orient ran out comfortable winners. Final score: Romford 1 v 3 Leyton Orient (Okocha 2, P Weston).

After play, Orient captain Rohm said “To come out and win that third match after the debacle of match two showed great heart and courage as, to a man, we were shocking in the second game. Against very strong opposition we were, in my opinion, the better team in two out of three games. Special mention to Romford who declined a penalty awarded to them for accidental encroachment into our area when they were trailing 2-1 in the first game. Absolute CLASS.”

Leyton Orient squad: Tony Weston (Gk), Paul Weston, Julian Lillington, Adam Rohm (Cpt), Shayne Perry, Andrew Okocha, Jason Edwards, Alan Cox, Maurice Birnbaum.

Goal scorers: Okocha 4, Cox, P Weston.

© Copyright 2024 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2024 Trevor Ridley

Location

King George Playing Fields, Eastern Ave W, Romford RM7 7AY, UK