Six members from the Leyton Orient Walking FC Women’s Team set off from Stansted on Friday 8th November for Tenerife to meet up with two members already on the island.

There were six other Womens teams taking part. Two were local; one from Italy and one from Lithuania with two other teams from the UK.

Leyton Orient had six games on Saturday in a league basis with their final league game on Sunday.

Game 1. Vs Torino. Italy

Orient were slow to start and found it hard going early on. Before they knew it they were two down by half-time. The second half saw Orient take the game to Torino who defended stoutly. Handley scored with an excellent shot but Orient couldn’t get the equaliser they deserved. Final score: Torino 2 v 1 Orient (Handley).

Game 2. vs Las Chaffiras Femix. Spain.

Orient had chances in this game but couldn’t find the back of the net. The first half saw Handley miss a one on one with the keeper and it seemed it wasn’t going to go Orients way. All square at halftime. The second half began with Orient pressing hard with Dowling missing a good chance. Winning the ball in midfield a good pass to Handley saw the first goal. With Orient pressing relentlessly a sliding tackle on Matthews saw the Femix player sent off. The resulting free kick saw Lewzey score with a good shot into the corner. Orient continued to press Femix with Dowling missing two great chances. Final score: Las Chaffiras Femix 0 v 2 Orient (Handley, Lewzey).

Game 3. Vs Suduvos Mociutes. Lithuania.

Orient were on top right from the start but again just couldn’t find the net leading to no goals by halftime. The second half saw Orient continue to press and finally Murray found the net. Matthews then scored after taking up a good position at the far post. Handley then took advantage of a defensive mix up to score Orient’s third. After a player strayed into the area Orient had a free kick with Matthews seeing her shot saved by the keeper. Final score: Suduvos Mociutes 0 v 3 Orient (Murray, Matthews, Handley).

Game 4. vs Nottingham Vets. UK
The least said about this game the better. Orient tried their best but came up short against a well drilled Vets team who had constant coaching from the sideline. Final score: Orient 0 v 5 Nottingham Vets.

Game 5. vs Las Chaffiras Lionness. Spain.

This was quite an even game with both sides moving the ball well. Las Chaffiras Lionness scored when they intercepted a pass giving them tha halftime advantage. The second half saw Orient fight back with Matthews securing an excellent equaliser. Unfortunately, the game ran away from Orient late in the half with as Chaffiras Lionness scoring two more goals. Final score: Las Chaffiras Lionness 3 v 1 Leyton Orient (Matthews).

Game 6. vs St Joseph’s Workington. UK

Going into the final game Orient knew that a win would guarantee 4th place and mean a semi final game against Nottingham Vets. Regardless Orient set about playing their best half of the tournament. They bossed the first half with goals from Handley and Murray assisted by Kay and Matthews giving Orient a comfortable threew goal halftime cushion. In the second half, with nothing to lose and with the heat starting to affect everyone, St Joseph went for all out attack and scored two excellent goals but Orient dug in and held on for the final win. This game was played in a spirit of fun and friendship – the way walking football should be played. Final score: St Joseph 2 v 3 Orient (Handley, Murray, Matthews).

Orient finished the league stage with 3 wins and 3 losses for a total of nine points.

Semi Final. vs Nottingham Vets.

Orient knew they were in for a tough game, but nothing prepared them for the opposition manager arguing with the referee and attempting to influence decisions. Despite all this Orient made a valiant effort to keep focus and get on with playing their game. Unfortunately, again Vets were too strong and won the game. Final score. Leyton Orient 0 v 4 Nottingham Vets.

Nottingham Vet went on to lose the final to the Italian side, Torino.

The first Women’s tour abroad was a tremendous success. The Tenerife organisers were organised, friendly and tried their best to meet the needs of all the participants. The fact that everyone who took part got a commemorative medal was a nice touch meaning everybody came away with something and was much appreciated.

Orient learned a lot as a team about tournament play and will only get better going forward. When mistakes were made lessons were learned and the team were able to go forward positively. Leyton Orient Walking Football club were well represented by the Women’s team as was shown by the many positive comments made by other teams. Thanks to everyone at the club for their support and best wishes.

Leyton Orient squad: Chantel Rose (Gk), Alison Kay, Ann Matthews, Anna Murray, Debbie Lewzey, Frances Handley, Lynda Dowling, Sherrille Hyatt.

Goalscorers: Handley 4, Matthews 3, Murray 2, Lewzey.

© Copyright 2024 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2024 Alison Kay

Location

Av. de los Acantilados, s/n, 38679 La Caleta de Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain