On Tuesday 2nd July Leyton Orient Walking FC over 70s travelled to their latest Essex League fixtures at Billericay FC hoping to match their last outing with three wins from three games once again. However, they were unable to hit their previous heights.

Though missing Stevenson, who was in preparation for his England debut, a strong squad of nine players lined up for the three games.

First up for Orient were Billericay. Orient employed a pressing game from the start but were given an early warning when Billericay’s best player dribbled his way through the O’s defence, but then wasted his one on one chance with a wayward finish. This woke Orient up and they dominated possession. However, they needed an own goal to give them a half time lead following heavily deflected shot from Tongue. The second half followed a similar pattern with Orient pressing and dominating play. Orient’s second goal came from Kassam with an excellent finish from a tight angle. The Billericay keeper was in great form and went on to make five tremendous saves to deny Orient any further joy. Final score: Billericay 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (OG, Hassan).

Next up were Barnet. Orient never got going in this game and their passing was sloppy. Barnet took the lead after a shot from distance beat Everett in goal with the help of a slight deflection. A disappointing performance ending in defeat. Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Barnet.

Orient’s final game was against league leaders Eastwood. Again Orient started brightly and took the lead when Skaith fired home following a fine passing move. However, Orient failed to capitalise and found themselves 2-1 behind before half time with goals conceded that the O’s could have dealt with better. Orient managed to equalise when a fine shot from Tongue hit a post and rebounded off the keeper into the net. The second half saw no further goals and Orient had to survive being reduced to five men for a period following Kassam being sin binned. Final score: Eastwood Falcons 2 v 2 Leyton Orient (Skaith, OG).

Summing up the day, Manager Mick Mullins commented: “Overall this was a disappointing set of results. We did not pass the ball well today or move enough off the ball. A number of green cards meant that the midfield and forward areas had to be shuffled often and this contributed to us not being at our best."

Leyton Orient squad: Keith Everett (Gk), Steve Tongue (Cpt), Tony Brooks, Gary Martin, Steve Skaith, Jon Barrick, Gerry Schneider, Chris Conlan, Hassan Kassam.

Goal scorers: OG 2, Skaith, Hassam,

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Image used © 2024 Trevor Ridley

Location

New Lodge, Blunts Wall Rd, Billericay CM12 9SA, UK