Leyton Orient Walking FC Over 50s left it late to progress to the next round of the WFLA Cup after a nail biting Sunday afternoon of football at Wadham Lodge.

Following the late withdrawal of Cornard it was agreed with the 2 other teams, Billericay and Colchester Phoenix, that the clubs would play a three team round robin of 15 minutes per game and play each other twice with the top two going through to the second round.

Orient’s first game was against Colchester and after watching them beat Billericay in the first game it was clear they would be the O’s toughest opponent. Orient started with Brunt in goal, Rohm in defence, a midfield three of Evans, Paul Weston and Zelkowicz supporting Eades in attack. Edwards and debutant Wright were on the bench. Colchester kept the ball very well and Orient kept there shape well and when the back line was broken Brunt made two good saves. Evans and Eades went close but both sides cancelled each other out. Final Score: Colchester Phoenix 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

Next up was Billericay. Wright and Edwards started with Evans and Weston rested. A win in this game would more or less guarantee qualification to the next round but a complacent start allowed a speculative shot from Billericay to skid off the surface, Brunt got down well and tipped it onto a post but was unlucky that the rebound hit Brunt on the back and trickled over the line. With the games being only 15 minutes in duration Orient laid siege to the Billericay goal with shots raining in from Eades, Wright & Co but found the opponents keeper in fine form. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Billericay.

The penultimate game of the day was the return against Colchester and Orient were still looking for their first goal and win of the day. On this occasion Zelkowicz and Edwards started on the bench. This time Colchester didn’t have it all their own way and Orient were taking the game to them and were finally rewarded when a Phoenix defender stepped in the box and a penalty was awarded. Up strode Evans to coolly finish to put the Reds one up. Colchester upped their game but found Brunt in superb form with three great saves before he was finally beaten in the last minute. Orient switched off when defending a free-kick, Rohm got blocked by the striker allowing a midfield runner a free shot past the helpless Brunt. Final score: Colchester 1 v 1 Leyton Orient (Evans).

For the final game of the day the equation was simple, only a win for Orient would take them through whereas a draw for Billericay would suffice. Orient fielded their most attacking line up with Weston and Edwards on the bench. Straight from the kick off Billericay were playing for a draw with the plan to hold out and frustrate Orient for the full fifteen minutes. Orient started on the front foot getting the ball up to Eades who was being closely marked by a seven foot gentle giant with Wright and Zelkowicz getting up to support. The breakthrough finally came when Rohm, who was boxed in on his own touchline, managed to wriggle free and played the ball up to Eades who twisted and turned his seven foot minder inside out before rifling in to put Orient one up. Shortly after Wright sent Eades clear, again he turned his marker inside out before slotting home number two. Weston and Edwards then came on to help shore things up before Zelkowicz was unlucky not to add a third with three attempts which the keeper somehow managed to save. Final score: Billericay 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (Eades).

o * Final standings: *

Colchester 8 pts. Qualified
Leyton Orient 5 pts. Qualified
Billericay 3 pts.

This was a good day for the Orient over 50s, who more then matched a Colchester team who were in the Essex Walking Football League over 50s First Division last season. This was also a good opportunity to blood two new players, Wright and Edwards, into competitive competition and hopefully they will have big roles to play in the future. Player of the day: Colin Brunt.

Thanks to the referees, Simon Crump and Richard Coleman, and to our own Steve Tongue for organising the day.

Leyton Orient Over 50s squad: Colin Brunt (GK) Adam Rohm, Steve Eades, Jake Zelkowicz, Paul Weston, Nick Evans, Stuart Wright, Jason Edwards.

Goalscorers: Eades 2, Evans.

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

Location

Wadham Lodge, Walthamstow, London E17 4LL, UK