On a sunny, but breezy Saturday 9th March the Leyton Orient Walking FC women set off to Chelmsford for their first set of fixtures of the season in the Essex women’s Walking Football League. There are now eight teams in the league and the teams were gathered together before kick-off to be warned that the referees were going to be strict on not walking, tackling and contact. Games were to be thirteen minutes – played straight through with no half time.

First up for the Orient women were Southend Whites. Orient started well but the referee began issuing warnings straight away leading to a substitution for the Os after only five minutes being played. Orient were on top for most of the game with shots from both Ahlstrom and Handley. There was then a double save from the Whites’ keeper but Handley pounced on the rebound to score. Orient continued to pepper the goal with shots before Handley scored a second goal. Final score: Southend Whites 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (Handley 2).

Next up were Paringdon Pirates Blues. Again Orient started well with a shot from Ahlstrom being saved. Kavanagh scored a great left footed goal on two minutes. Orient continued to control the play with Handley scoring shortly after coming on as a sub. Blues were limited to a couple of shots with Williams having very little to do in goal. Final score: Paringdon Pirates Blues 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (Kavanagh, Handley).

Next up were Colchester Eagles – a new team to the league but containing many players from the disbanded Clacton Rhinos team from last season. Leyton Orient took a bit longer to settle into this game. Grint had an early shot saved. The Eagles defended very well throughout. The Os had several corners and attempted several shots on goal but were unable to score. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Colchester Eagles.

The next match was against Southend Greens. This is the renamed team who won the league last season. Southend Greens are a well organised team and they started well with an early shot that went wide. A tackle from the Greens led to a free kick in a good position but Ahlstrom’s shot went wide. Williams was called upon when the Greens striker managed to lose her marker and she also managed a great save late in the game. Final score: Southend Greens 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

Orient then moved on to play Billericay Town Blues – very much the Billericay “A” team. Unfortunately, the Os got off to a shaky start but they had an early shot from Ahlstrom saved before Williams pulled off an excellent save at the other end. The match continued to be end to end with Williams being kept busy in the Os’ goal. Leyton Orient went one nil down due to a fantastic shot from one of the Blues’ strikers. Orient continued to apply pressure and did have a goal disallowed for a foul. The final Orient corner missed the net. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Billericay Town Blues.

The next game was against the other team from Billericay, the Whites. Orient made a positive start creating several chances before Ahlstrom scored on the five minute mark. The Os had several more chances but were unable to score another. Final score: Billericay Town Whites 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Ahlstrom).

Orient women’s final match of the day was against Paringdon Pirates Reds who had had won all six of their previous matches. There was a sharp start from the Pirates Reds but the Os stepped up quickly. Two shots from the Pirates were saved by Williams in quick succession. Orient’s defence stood firm with Williams leaping into action with several more super saves. Final score: Paringdon Pirates Reds 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

This was an excellent start to the season for Leyton Orient with three wins, three draws and only one loss and only one goal conceded putting Orient third in the league table behind Paringdon Pirate Reds and Billericay Town Blues.

Captain Selner was unable to attend so Baker stepped in to marshall the team and dictate the tactics – excellent work! On hearing the results Selner said, “Amazing start ladies, so proud of you! Wow only one goal conceded too!”

Thanks to Debbie Lewzey for providing copious match notes and much needed lifts to Chelmsford.

Leyton Orient squad: Chris Williams (GK), Sam Baker (Cpt), Clare Kavanagh, Frances Handley, Sarah Grint, Sally Jones, Anna Murray, Johanna Ahlstrom, Alison Kay.

Goal scorers: Handley (3), Kavanagh, Ahlstrom.

© Copyright 2024 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2024 Essex Womens Walking Football League

Location

Salerno Way, Chelmsford CM1 2EH, UK