A small piece of history was made on Tuesday 12th November when Leyton Orient Walking FC were among four teams entering the first-ever Essex walking football Over 75s tournament at Billericay.

The Essex Walking Football League (EWFL) are keen to start an Over 75s League next summer and although Orient are unlikely to have sufficient numbers for that, the club were able to field a squad with four players in that age bracket plus four aged 73-74 as allowed by the organisers on this occasion.

The four teams met in a mini-league, with the top two playing again in the final and the others meeting for third/fourth place.

Up first for Orient were old foes and EWFL Over 70s League champions, Little Oakley, who fielded a squad almost as strong as their title-winning side. The O’s started with Everett in goal, Tongue at the back, Hannaford, Stevenson and Skaith across midfield, plus Hassam up front. Orient had the better of the first half but were guilty of indiscipline, losing Stevenson and later Skaith on two warnings as Oakley took a two-nil lead. Longsworth and Russo came on before Kassam pulled a goal back with a fine finish, but an equaliser would not come. Final score: Little Oakley 2 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kassam).

In the second game, Grays proved as stubborn defensively as ever, and there was no score at the interval but after breaking through with another good Kassam finish, Orient added a second through Skaith and comfortably saw the game out. Final score: Grays 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (Kassam, Skaith).

A win over Billericay would ensure a place in the final and Orient were on the front foot from the start. For a while it looked as if an outstanding goalkeeper might prove unbeatable, but in the second half a smooth passing move between Tongue, Stevenson and Skaith allowed the latter to score and shortly afterwards Tongue intercepted a clearance and was able to pick his spot. One defensive lapse allowed Billericay to halve the deficit but Orient were deserved winners. Final score: Billericay 1 v 2 Leyton Orient (Skaith, Tongue).

So to the final and an umpteenth meeting of the season against Little Oakley. Once again their England international midfielder proved tough to handle and by half-time Orient were two-nil down. A third Oakley goal effectively decided the game but still the O’s kept going and Kassam claimed his third goal of the morning. Final score: Little Oakley 3 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kassam).

Skipper Tongue commented: ‘Having proved themselves the best team at Over 70s level, Little Oakley were able to carry that on to the higher age group. But Orient were agreed to be deserved runners-up and were happy to have taken part in this inaugural tournament. Thanks to Chris Conlan for acting as manager in Mick Mullins’ absence. Rather than attempting to field an Over 75s squad next season, the club are keen to have two Over 70s teams, given the depth at that level, and will be applying to field both in the Essex League.

Leyton Orient Over 75s squad: Keith Everett (Gk), Steve Tongue (Cpt), Frank Longsworth, Peter Hannaford, Ray Russo, Steve Skaith, Phil Stevenson, Hassan Kassam.

Goalscorers: Kassam 3, Skaith 2, Tongue.

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Image used © 2024 Trevor Ridley

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