The Leyton Orient Walking FC women’s team ventured deep into Tottenham to play North London United at the Tottenham Sports Centre opposite the mighty Spurs ground. North London United is an amalgamation of the Arsenal and Spurs Women’s Walking football teams and play in the Herts Women’s League. Two ex-Orient players lined up with Andrea Ireland and Anna Verta both playing for the Norths. Orient were using the fixture to give some of the women who are not playing regularly in the leagues some game time. Orient lined up with Williams in goal, Lewzey, Kay, Murray, Jones, in defence and wide midfield, Kavanagh the midfield pivot and Baker and Lewis sharing the striker role. The day was made up of three, twenty minute games.

In the first game, Orient played some excellent passing football but found the North London keeper, Anna Verta, in excellent form. Kavanagh’s energy continually led to overloads and the shots rained down on Verta’s goal. Eight shots were fired in with Kavanagh, Baker, Lewis and Lewzey getting into the action. Wiliams, supported by the energetic Jones, saved only two shots fired at the Orient goal. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 North London United.

North London adopted a more direct route-one tactic in the second game, and in the first half Orient spent time pinned back in their own half, unable to get across the halfway line. North London had two speedy forwards causing Orient problems and eventually one got away from the O’s defence and opened the scoring. Orient quickly equalised, a quick ball out of defence found Lewis and who turned her defender and put Kavanagh clear with an excellent pass. Kavanagh then found the target with a lovely cross shot. Sadly, in the last minute of the first half, a goalmouth scramble fell to a North London player who scored. Orient tightened up in the second half but chances were few and far between as both teams cancelled each other out. Final score: North London United 2 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kavanagh).

In the final game, coach Cheston made some tactical adjustment to try to stop the long balls from the North London keeper. This worked well. Orient were now on the front foot but again Verta defied the Orient forwards. Williams, at the other end, was having a quiet time. Coach Cheston went for all out attack in the second half, playing Lewis up front with Kavanagh and Baker in midfield. More shots, more saves. Six shots were saved by Verta while Williams only had to make the one save. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Norh London United.

This was an excellent morning’s walking football. Coach Cheston commented that “Orient were unlucky today, both keepers, Anna Verta and Chris Williams were in excellent form. The team showed excellent tactical discipline adapting to different tactics and roles across the three games. Kavanagh played with excellent energy in the pivot role keeping the passing flowing forward. Jones playing her usual bustling role in defence holding it together supported by Murray, Lewzey and Kay. Baker worked hard in midfield or up front, but a special mention to Carol Lewis who bore the brunt of Coach Cheston’s experiments and was nearly rewarded with a couple of goals. I would also like to send our thanks to North London for hosting an excellent morning’s walking football.”

Leyton Orient Womens squad: Chris Williams (Gk), Debbie Lewzey, Alison Kay, Anna Murray, Sally Jones, Clare Kavanagh, Sam Baker, Carol Lewis.

Goalscorers: Kavanagh.

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

Location

Tottenham Community Sports Centre, 701-703 High Rd, London N17 8AD, UK