It was a bright Friday morning when two intrepid Leyton Orient walking football squads ventured deep into South London to play in the Palace Dinosaurs walking football tournament. The venue was Beckenham Goals with the tournament played on the boards and on small pitches. Each team had to play five 17 minute games.

The Reds lined up with Sullivan in goals, Rohm, Howard, Paul Weston, Coyle, Wahlhaus providing defense and midfield energy with Eades and Okocha up front. The injured Nad Pillay turned up to support the team and offer advice.

The Whites had Everett in goals, Cheston, Clancy, Cox, Perry, Dooley, Inkpen providing the midfield and defense with Slater ploughing a lone furrow up front.

The Leyton Orient Reds results were:

Lambeth Walkers 0 v 2 Leyton Orient Reds (Eades, Okocha).
Sutton 1 v 1 Leyton Orient Reds (Okocha).
Crystal Palace 1 v 3 Leyton Orient Reds (Okocha 2 Eades).
Fulham 0 v 0 Leyton Orient Reds.
Leyton Orient Whites 0 v 5 Leyton Orient Reds (Wahlhaus 2, P Weston, Eades, Okocha).

Whites kicked off against Fulham, a close fought game which Fulham won in the last minute. Final score: Leyton Orient Whites 0 v 1 Fulham.

Next it was Palace Dinosaurs, Orient took the lead when Cox tapped in a Cheston shot that came back off the boards. Orient then conceded two late goals. Final score: Crystal Palace Dinosaurs 2 v 1 Leyton Orient Whites (Cox).

Sutton United were Orient’s next opponents and the Whites had found their grove. Slater latched onto a Cheston shot that rebounded off the boards to open the scoring. Slater was then rampant, the Sutton defense was unable to handle his close control and movement and he rapidly scored a hat trick. Dooley then chipped with a fourth following good hold up play by Slater. Final score: Sutton United 0 v 4 Leyton Orient Whites (Slater 3, Dooley).

Orient Whites then faced Lambeth Walkers. The Walkers found their shooting boots and a number of low drilled shots found the corner of the wide goals. Orient could not contain them. Final score: Leyton Orient Whites 0-5 Lambeth Walkers.

The final game was against Leyton Orient Reds. The Reds needed to win to claim the trophy. Driven on by Wahlhaus, a traditional Reds v Whites was not going to happen. In their previous game, the Reds had missed countless chances. This time they had their shooting boots on and quickly ran up a four goal lead. The Whites managed to gain a foothold, but the match ended with honours to the Reds. Final score:
Leyton Orient Whites 0 v 5 Leyton Orient Reds ( )

The Reds were deserved champions on the day, comfortably the best side, only some wayward finishing in two games supported by outstanding goalkeeping denied them a clean sweep. Their defense was solid and supported by a mobile midfield who fed the terror twins of Okocha and Eades. A special mention for Andrew Coyle who had an excellent game in his tournament debut for the Club.

The Whites had mixed fortunes; the first two games were tight affairs decided by minor errors by the Whites. In the third game, Orient played well, then fell away badly in the last two games. The team did not give up and battled away. Player of the day was Derek Slater for his endless hard work and excellent hattrick.

Orient would also like to send a big thank you to Crystal Palace Dinosaurs for organising an excellent mornings walking football with very good referees.

Leyton Orient Reds squad: Tony Sullivan (Gk), Adam Rohm, Micky Howard, Paul Weston, Andrew Coyle, Tony Wahlhaus, Steve Eades, Andrew Okocha.

Leyton Orient Whites squad: Keith Everett (Gk), Len Cheston (Cpt), David Clancy, Alan Cox, Shayne Perry, Vince Dooley, Steve Inkpen, Derek Slater.

Goalscorers: Okocha 5, Eades 3, Slater 3, Wahlhaus 2, P Weston, Dooley, Cox.

© Copyright 2024 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2024 Len Cheston

Location

Elmers End Rd, Beckenham BR3 4EJ, UK