Leyton Orient Walking FC played their first Over 70s pre-season friendlies on a crisp afternoon on Tuesday 27th February away to Redbridge at Powerleague, Fairlop.

Having arranged to play six-a-side without surrounding boards, they were disconcerted on arrival to find the home team insisting on eight-a-side using the boards. Fortunately Tony Haley had agreed to join up as a late replacement for Jon Barrick. So Orient’s elderly eight were forced to play every minute of the three 20-minute games, while Redbridge regularly pulled in substitutes from their club session.

The O’s therefore lined up in every game with Everett in goal, Brooks and Haley at the back, Schneider, Skaith and Tongue in midfield plus C.Conlan and Green in attack.

Although taking a while to get used to the wide pitch in the first game, and not switching the play quickly enough, Orient emerged as the better side. Schneider opened the scoring early on and there should have been more goals from shots that went wide or too close to a good goalkeeper. Final score: Redbridge 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Schneider).

The second game followed a similar pattern with a well-taken goal by Green, until a rare defensive error brought an equaliser when a pass was intercepted. In the second half Orient regained control and from one of the best moves of the day Skaith and Green combined to put Tongue through for the second goal. Final score: Redbridge 1 v 2 Leyton Orient (Green, Tongue).

By the third and final game the O’s were tiring and picking up one or two knocks while Redbridge were able to call on fresher legs. This time their defence held out for a goalless draw. Final score: Redbridge 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

Skipper Tongue said afterwards: “This turned into a good work-out in which we were feeling the pace by the end on a big pitch. But everybody kept going well. Special thanks to Tony Haley, who after his exertions at the club trials on Sunday was only expecting to play a small part, but filled an unfamiliar position for the whole hour. Thanks to referee Malcolm Pond and to Redbridge for their after-match hospitality in the bar.”

Leyton Orient Over 70s squad: Keith Everett (Gk), Tony Brooks, Tony Haley, Gerry Schneider, Steve Skaith, Steve Tongue (Cpt), Chris Conlan, Colin Green.

Goalscorers: Schneider, Green, Tongue.

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

Location

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