Bannister Sports Field in Harrow has a peculiar micro-climate. Whenever Orient travel there, it is either bitterly cold or wet. Today, Tuesday 13th February, despite the weather forecast saying it was going to be clear, it was driech (for non-Scots – look it up, ed) all day. Orient faced four 6-a-side games in the Middlesex FA over 65s friendly tournament. Orient lined up with Cheston in goal, Brooks, Baker, Bloomfield and Rains forming the defense, Jon Barrick as the link player and Ridley and Chris Conlan up front.
Orient opened against Hemel Blues. The O’s started on top but could not find a way to score. Eventually, Brooks fed by Baker went on a barnstorming run through the inside right channel to finish superbly. It was the only goal of the game as Orient comfortably held out. Final score: Hemel Blues 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Brooks).

Next up were Hemel Greens, Orient quickly grasped that all their play would come through one player. He was closely marked but Orient found the Hemel keeper having a blinder. Countless shots reined in, but he defied them all and the game ended scoreless. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Hemel Greens.

The third game was against RIP. The first half was close with Ridley having a goal chalked off, no one was sure of the reason for this. RIP were a good side and started to pull Orient out of shape. They then scored two late goals to win the game. The game was noted for Peter Rains marking the RIP centre forward. The RIP player ran a lot and Peter ran after him and for once the referee did not penalise him. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 2 RIP.

The final game was against a Middlesex Friendly team put together as one team had dropped out late. Simon Baker and Peter Reins joined the friendly team squad and the game was played as 5-a-side due to lack of numbers. This was comfortable win for Orient. Brooks feeding Ridley for the opening goal, before Conlan scored a couple, one from a fine Ridley pass. Final score: Middlesex Friendly squad 0 v 3 Leyton Orient (Conlan 2, Ridley).

Skipper Jon Barrick was enthusiastic about the attitude of the squad on a miserably wet day. He commented that the “team played some excellent football and worked hard in defense. The press worked well and a big thanks to Peter and Simon for playing for the opposition in the final game. I’d also like to mention Cheston’s near faultless distribution from the goalkeeper position. Overall, this was a good morning’s football”.

Leyton Orient squad: Len Cheston (Gk), Peter Rains, Tony Brooks, Simon Baker, David Bloomfield, Jon Barrick (Cpt), Chris Conlan, Trevor Ridley.

Goal scorers: Conlan 2, Ridley, Brooks.

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

Location

Uxbridge Rd, Harrow HA3 6SW, UK