Leyton Orient welcomed new opposition to Wadham Lodge with the visit of Old Bexhillians (OBs) to Walthamstow. OBs had risked the traffic to travel to play Orient in their quest to play new teams. Having travelled from Bexhill on Sea their round trip was over 150 miles.
The day was hot and sticky with Orient fielding both an over 50s and over 60s team.
The first match for Orient over 50s was against Old Bexhillians over 50s. This was a close game with both sides playing good possession football. Akhtar showed his capabilities with a number of good saves. The breakthrough finally came towards the end of the first half, when Franklin intercepted an opposition pass, quickly released Lillington who calmly slotted the ball home. The second half continued in the same fashion as the first as it continued to be an even contest. The match was settled when a neat interchange of play between Shayne (Messi) Perry and Okocha ended with Okocha squaring the ball across the area where Franklin smashed the ball home. Final score: Old Bexhillians over 50s 0 v 2 Leyton Orient over 50s (Lillington, Franklin).
Orient over 50s next opponents were the oppositions over 60s. The opposition were well organised defensively and despite excellent efforts from Okocha, Franklin and Rohm the game was scoreless at halftime. The O’s continued to have the greater share of possession in the second half but did not create many scoring opportunities. The only goal of the game came midway through the second half when a thunderous shot from Franklin rebounded to Okocha who finished neatly. Final score: Old Bexhillians over 60s 0 v 1 Leyton Orient over 50s (Okocha).
For the third game the O’s again played Old Bexhillian over 50’s. The was another tight affair with Old Bexhillians dominating possession in the early stages. Some what against the run of play the O’s took the lead. A good ball from Akhtar, found Lillington on the halfway line who quickly released Ahmed who produced a strong finish. Unfortunately the lead did not last long. Following a free kick on the edge of the O’s box the Old Bexhillians turned sharply and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Worse was to follow, when sloppy play on the halfway line with possession being needlessly lost twice, allowed the opposition to break quickly and in numbers to to give Old Bexhillians a one goal advantage as half time approached. In the second half Old Bexhillians continued to monopolize possession but good goalkeeping and defensive work kept them at bay. Franklin had a good effort rebound of the post. The O’s eventually equalized when good interplay between Edwards and Franklin set up Okocha for a good finish. Final score: Old Bexhillians over 50s 2 v 2 Leyton Orient over 50s (Ahmed, Okocha).
The final match was against Old Bexhillians over 60’s. By this stage the hot conditions were beginning to have an effect and the pace of the game was much slower. The O’s took the lead when Harden slipped a free kick to Lillington whose shot found th bottom corner. Despite the heat the O’s continued to play well and Franklin and Perry both had decent efforts well saved by the opposition keeper. Late in the half Franklin went on a run (sorry walk) into the opposition half and hit a speculative shot miles wide much to Lillinton’s disgust who was unmarked on the edge of the area. In the second half the O’s dominance got its just reward when Okocha robbed an opponent and went on unchallenged to double the O’s lead. Another good ball from Akhtar found Okocha, who passed to Franklin but once again the keeper did well. The game was settled late on when Franklin found Perry who finished neatly. Final score: Old Bexhillians over 60s 0 v 3 Leyton Orient over 50s (Lillington, Okocha, Perry).
After play the Orient over 50s manager, Phil Stevenson, enthused about the day, “This was a very enjoyable event. All the games were played in the right spirit and well refereed. I would like to thank Old Behillians for making the long trek to Wadham Lodge and it was nice to share a couple of pints in the bar after the game. Hopefully, sometime in the future we can return the favour and play a return match at their ground.
From the over 50’s point of view this was a good workout. Akhtar played well in goal, Edwards and Rohm were solid at the back, Ahmed, Harden, Perry and Franklin worked tirelessly in midfield and Okocha and Lillington were a constant threat upfront.”
While Leyton Orient over 50s had been enjoying a successful morning the Orient over 60s had also been in action.
Orient over 60s consisted of Tony Weston in goal, playing either midfield or defense were, Micky Howard, Mick Mullins, Nad Pillay, Tony Wahlhaus, Paul Weston, Tim Conlan with Simon Baker and Hassan Kassam up front. As a friendly, the intention was to give everyone equal game time.
The over 60s opened against OBs over 60s. It was a close game both teams making good chances, OBs struck first but a Pillay through ball found Kassam who calmly equalised. The second half saw Orient dominate but unable to score. Final score: Old Bexhillians 60s 1 v 1 Leyton Orient 60s (Kassam).
The next game was against OBs over 50s. They were a much stronger team and Orient struggled to beat their press. Weston made a great save and was then beaten by a deflected free kick. Despite some good shots that the keeper saved especially from Baker in the second half the game ran away from Orient. Weston was heroic in his saves to keep the score down. Final score: Leyton Orient 0-3 Old Bexhillians 50s.
Next up was the return game against OBs over 60s. The first half was a stalemate as two tired teams struggled to get going. Orient livened up in the second half with Wahlhaus getting some shots away, Eventually Weston’s shot was saved but rebounded to Wahlhaus who lifted his shot over the stranded keeper to win the game. Final score: Old Bexhillians 60s 0 v 1 Leyton Orient 60s (Wahlhaus).
The sun was really hot for the final game with OBs over 50s. Again OBs pressed well and opened the scoring, then came one of those frustrating moments, P Weston hit the post and from the rebound, OBs scored to put Orient two down at half time. Orient started strongly in the second half, P Weston’s shot was superbly saved by the OBs keeper. Kassam got Orient on the score sheet with a deflected free-kick. But again OBs quickly regained the initiative. Orient by this time were extremely tired and OBs started to pull them apart scoring another two goals despite T Weston’s heroics in goal. Final score: Old Bexhillians 50s 5 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kassam).
Orient over 60s manager Cheston commented, “it was a good outing for the over 60s. They matched the OBs over 60s being undefeated but found the passing and movement of the OBs over 50s, who were a good side, too much. The highlight was the further step in the recuperation of Tony Weston in goal who has been badly missed and Hassan Kassam keeping on his scoring boots with the WFLA Regional Final coming up on Tuesday. Thanks to Old Bexhillains for coming a long way and playing walking football in the correct and sporting manner. Thanks to Damien O’Reilly and Simon Crump for refereeing to thier usual high and excellent standard.”
For those who would like to experience the drama or relive the experience of the days play then please follow this link:
https://app.veo.co/matches/20240811-lowf-vs-old-bexhill-313ea202/Leyton Orient over 50s squad: Noveed Akhtar (Gk), Paul Franklin (Cpt), Adam Rohm, Jason Edwards, Iftikar Ahmed, Mark Harden, Shayne Perry, Andrew Okocha, Julian Lillington.
Leyton Orient over 60s squad: Tony Weston (Gk), Micky Howard, Mick Mullins, Nad Pillay, Tony Wahlhaus, Paul Weston, Tim Conlan, Simon Baker, Hassan Kassam.
Goalscorers: Okocha 3, Lillington 2, Kassam 2, Ahmed, Perry, Franklin, Wahlhaus.
© Copyright 2024 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2024 Len Cheston
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