Leyton Orient Walking FC over 70s travelled to Billericay on Tuesday 16th July one point behind the joint leaders Little Oakley and Eastwood, needing to keep pace with them and knowing there was a key game against Oakley coming up.

First up were Paringdon. Missing Brooks and joint top scorer Skaith, Orient started with Everett in goal, Martin at the back, a midfield of Schneider, Stevenson and Tongue, plus Green in attack. A poor pass allowed old Orient player Kevin Walsh to be put through for the opening goal, after which the O’s finally settled down. Two half-time substitutes combined for the equaliser, Hassan setting up Barrick, whose shot squeezed over the line. Hassan was then clipped from behind when closing in on goal but received a free-kick rather than a penalty, from which his clever movement led to a shooting chance that went over the bar. The result left Paringdon’s record as one win and nine draws from ten games, so the outcome was hardly a surprise, but still a disappointment for Orient. Final score: Paringdon 1 v 1 Leyton Orient (J Barrick).

Needing a win against the reigning champions and league leaders, Orient, not for the first time, found Little Oakley’s England international star hard to contain. Playing in attack as well as dropping off to receive the ball, he hit two powerful long-range shots that eluded Everett and in the second half had a third disallowed for running. Orient were actually passing the ball better in the second half but the goalkeeper’s save from Schneider prevented a comeback and confirmed a damaging defeat. Final score: Little Oakley 2 v 0 Leyton Orient.

In the final game against Cheshunt the O’s went behind yet again, this time when a lack of tracking back led to an overload, only to recover with a fine passing move that ended by Stevenson putting Schneider in to score. Looking capable of going on to win, Orient instead managed to concede a second goal and right at the end a penalty that hit the post; fortunately the red card awarded against Stevenson for denial of a goalscoring opportunity was later downgraded to a blue, avoiding a lengthy suspension. Final score: Cheshunt 2 v 1 Leyton Orient (Schneider).

Skipper Tongue commented afterwards: “This was a very disappointing morning that with only one set of league games to go in September has ended our title hopes. But there are two big cup days coming up, in the Essex League this month and the WFLA national semi-finals in August, when we will need to tighten up the marking and passing. Thanks to Chris Conlan for acting as manager on the day.”

Leyton Orient squad: Keith Everett (Gk), Gary Martin, Phil Stevenson, Gerry Schneider, Steve Tongue (Cpt), Jon Barrick, Colin Green, Hassan Kassam.

Goal scorers: J Barrick, Schneider.

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Image used © 2024 Trevor Ridley

Location

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