On Saturday 5th October Leyton Orient Walking FC Over 50s Reds travelled to Chelmsford hoping to end the various Essex League fixtures on a positive note. On paper this was a strong looking squad. Unfortunately football is not played on paper.

The first game was against Beacon Hill Reds. Orient had Sullivan in goal, Rohm at he back, Eades, Paul Weston and Cox in midfield and Okocha up front. The O’s started brightly and were soon on the front foot. Their positive start was rewarded when a good through ball from Paul Weston found Okocha on the edge of the area. Okocha showed good control, switched the ball quickly to his left foot and hit a low shot into the net via the inside of the far post. Just before the interval Perry replaced Cox who had received two not walking cautions. Orient were deservedly leading at the break and although the Beacon Hill forward was a threat the O’s had defended resolutely. Early in the second half a wayward pass gifted Beacon Hill possession and despite three Orient players being in attendance the Beacon Hill player managed to toe poke the ball past Sullivan. The Orient players were visibly shaken and their play became scrappy. Beacon Hill took advantage of this. Poor marking played a part allowing an opposition player to go the length of the pitch, pass to a teammate who converted Beacon Hill’s second. This was the final score as the O’s struggled to get a foothold. Final score Beacon Hill 2 v 1 Leyton Orient (Okocha).

With two teams (including Orient’s over 50’s Whites) having withdrawen from the competition Orient’s second and final match was against Little Oakley. A positive result would still be enough for the O’s to reach the finals. Unfortunately another disjointed performance followed. There was little fluency with Orient frequently being profligate in possession. Little Oakley took the lead when their dangerous forward nutmegged an O’s defender and hit a low shot into the corner of the net. Orient improved slightly in the second half and showed glimpses of their true potential. Three good passing moves ended with efforts on goal but an equaliser proved elusive. The game was settled when the dangerous Little Oakley forward once again turned an Orient defender and lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 2 Little Oakley.

After play manager Phil Stevenson was in reflective mood, “In the Essex League competitions the over 50’s Reds have massively underachieved this season. I think most of the squad playing today would admit they did not do themselves justice apart from the ever reliable Sullivan and the outstanding Paul Weston. There is one final chance at redemption in the FA National Cup competition next weekend (12th October – Ed). Hopefully the team will produce the performances they are capable of.”

Leyton Orient over 50s squad: Tony Sullivan (Gk). Paul Weston, Adam Rohm, Alan Cox, Steve Eades, Andrew Okocha, Shayne Perry (Cpt).

Goalscorers: Okocha.

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Image used © 2024 Trevor Ridley

Location

56 Salerno Way, Chelmsford CM1 2EH, UK