On a freezing Sunday 16th February eight women from Leyton Orient Walking FC headed for Cheshunt FC to participate in the Herts Cup. Sixteen teams were divided into two groups with Leyton Orient in Group 1. Each game was ten minutes straight through.

For their first game Orient were up against Cheshunt Hawks. This was a closely contested game with Orient closing Hawks down and restricting them to only two shots. When the Hawks accumulated four running offences Kavanagh scored the resulting penalty to win the game. Final score: Cheshunt Hawks 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kavanagh).

Orient’s second game saw them face Luton Orange. An evenly matched game saw Orient fail to put away many chances and Luton scored with their only shot on goal. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Luton.

Game three was against last years winners, Chesham who had their usual strong team but the Os were determined not to be intimidated and were holding them for over half the game with Williams making some excellent saves. Unfortunately, Chesham’s pressure eventually paid off. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Chesham.

Northhants were Orients fourth game of the day and the O’s were on the attack from the start playing good one-touch passing football. Their dominance paid off when Selner scored a scorcher. Despite more pressure, the Os were unable to add to their score. Final score: Northants 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Selner).

It was then on to game five against Welwyn. Despite bombarding the Welwyn goal for the majority of the game Orient just could not find the net. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Welwyn.

Orient’s game six against Oxford was an evenly balanced affair with the teams only seperated by a well struck Orient penaly by Handley. Final score Ocford 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Handley)

The results from these six games meant that Orient went through to contest the Plate.

Orient’s semi-final was against old friends, North London. A good friend of Orient’s, Andrea Ireland, was not able play for North London. North London are a difficult proposition and had beaten Orient last year despite the O’s being on top for most of the game. This game was no different.Apart from a well taken penalty by Kavanagh Orient again could not put their chances away. A goalless draw after ten minutes meant penalties. Kavanagh, Baker and Handley all despatched their spot kicks with Williams making the all important save putting Orient into the final by three goals to two. Final score: North London 1 (2) v (3) 1 Leyton Orient (Kavanagh).

The Plate final saw Orient up against Oxford who the O’s had already beaten in the group stage. By now the temperature had dropped and everyone was very cold. A tight game with cold tired players meant another goalless result. The dreaded penalties again.
Selner and Baker converted their penalties with Williams again making an important save however this time Orient lost when Handley’s effort was adjudged by the referee to not have fully crossed the line before the keeper saved it. None of the O’s players could work out how that view was obtained when the referee was not in line with the goal line. The very least they expected was to have the penalty retaken. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 (2) v (3) 0 Oxford.

Once again Leyton Orient were runners-up.

After play the Orient manager, Sherrille Hyatt, said “Once again Cheshunt organised an efficient well run tournament. The O’s continues to be competitive, improving with every game. Well down to everyone who took part on a bitterly cold day.”

Want to know more? Then pop over to the Herts Womens Walking Football Facebook page for the competition report: https://tinyurl.com/hwwfl01 and more pictures at: https://tinyurl.com/hwwfl02

Leyton Orient squad. Chris Williams (Gk) Debbie Lewzey, Sherrille Hyatt (Manager), Andree Selner, Lynda Dowling, Clare Kavanagh, Sam Baker (Cpt), Frances Handley.

Goalscorers: Kavanagh 2, Selner, Handley.

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Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley