As has been the tradition over the last eight years or so Leyton Orient Walking FC turned out two teams to represent the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest and Hackney in the Londonwide GLL Games. The teams were greeted by heavy rain but thankfully the weather improved prior to kick-off.

Waltham Forest played a total of seven games. Each contest followed a similar pattern. They were tight, attritional affairs.

Waltham Forest began their campaign against Enfield. The only goal of the game came when Stevenson found Cox on the edge of the box and Cox calmly beat the opposition goalkeeper. Final score: Enfield 0 v 1 Waltham Forest (Cox).

The next opponents were Merton. This time the only goal of the game came from Chris Conlan who seized on the ball after Cox had hit the post and scored via a deflection off a Merton defender. Paul Weston appeared to have scored a second, but the referee ruled that the ball had hit both posts before rebounding to safety, although it looked as though the ball had crossed the line. Final score: Merton 0 v 1 Waltham Forest (C. Conlan).

The third game ended goalless against Camden, although Chris Conlan nearly won the game with a ferocious shot which whistled past the post. Waltham Forest 0 v 0 Camden.

The next fixture was a derby against Hackney. Once again Stevenson and Cox combined and Cox gave Waltham Forest the lead. Stevenson was then lucky to stay on the pitch when he fouled Haley who was through one on one with the keeper. Tony Weston then produced an excellent penalty save to deny Birnbaum. Final score: Hackney 0 v 1 Waltham Forest (Cox).

The final group game was against Hammersmith and Fulham. Cox opened the scoring after a clever pass from Chris Conlan. Waltham Forest should have won this game more easily and spurned several good chances (Cox) to increase the lead. Final score: Hammersmith & Fulham 0 v 1 Waltham Forest (Cox).

These set of results meant Waltham Forest topped their group and qualified for the semifinals. Waltham Forest had yet to concede a goal due to excellent defensive performances by Howard and Tim Conlan backed up by the ever reliable Tony Weston in goal.

In the semi final Barnet took an early lead and Waltham Forest created few chances to equalise. Final score: Waltham Forest 0 v 1 Barnet.

This defeat meant Waltham Forest had a 3rd/4th play off against Merton a team they had beaten 1-0 in the group stage. This time the score line was reversed. Final score: Waltham Forest 0 v 1 Merton.

This tournament was well run by GLL and I would like to thank everyone involved for making the day a success. A special thanks to Daniel who was the designated manager of Waltham Forest for the day.

After play the Waltham Forest manager, Phil Stevenson said, “Going forward I think the tournament would be improved by using qualified referees. Having said that I would like to thank the referees on the day for performing a thankless task to the best of their abilities and without whom it would not be possible to stage such tournaments. The football resembled five aside with lots of running and tackling which is not in the spirit of walking football. Finally congratulations to Mole Valley on winning the tournament and also to Barnet for reaching the final.”

There has been no report received for the Hackney team.

Waltham Forest squad: Tony Weston (Gk), Paul Weston, Chis Conlan, Tim Conlan, Alan Cox, Micky Howard, Phil Stevenson (Cpt).

Hackney squad: Ray Russo (Gk), Steve Guerrini, Simon Baker, Peter Rains, Jack Kotonou, Fid Neophytou,
Tony Haley, Maurice Birnbaum (Cpt).

Goalscorers: Cox 3, C. Conlan.

© Copyright 2024 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2024 GLL