On a brisk February 16th afternoon, Leyton Orient Walking FC welcomed Blackmore Athletic to Wadham Lodge for a series of over 50s friendly matches in preparation for the forthcoming Essex Walking Football League season. A challenging afternoon was on the cards as Blackmore won the Over 50s Division One title last season losing just the one game in the process.

The first match was against an Orient Reds team who lined up with Tony Weston in goal, Rohm in defence, a midfield three of Eades (Cpt), Cox and Paul Weston with Okocha up-front. The Reds started brightly with two shots from Okocha blocked either side of Eades forcing a save. Blackmore hit back when their captain hit a shot just over the bar following a free-kick. Tony Weston then made a good save and Blackmore had several more shots, one of which hit the crossbar. Paul Weston hit a shot way over the crossbar but the first half finished all square. Wright came on for Cox at half-time. Both teams had been totting up running offences throughout the game and it was Blackmore who were the first team to commit a fourth offence. Unfortunately, Okocha’s penalty effort hit the post. Shortly after it was the Reds who conceded a penalty for running offences and Blackmore scored the penalty to go one up. Blackmore had a 2-on-1 opportunity but hesitated and the ball went safely over the crossbar. The Reds dominated the last few minutes with shots by Paul Weston, Eades and Wright blocked or sent wide. Another good save by Tony Weston was virtually the last action of the match. Final score: Leyton Orient Reds 0 v 1 Blackmore Athletic.

The second match was a chance for immediate revenge for the Reds with Cox replacing Paul Weston in the starting line-up. Wright forced an early save and Blackmore hit another effort over the bar. Okocha then had two good shots saved. A couple of efforts from Blackmore could not disguise the fact that they were arguing amongst themselves and losing their discipline. Another shot from the increasingly dangerous Okocha went narrowly wide and when an Eades effort was saved it was Okocha who was there to lash the ball into the net to give the Reds a deserved single goal lead at half-time. Paul Weston came on for Rohm at half-time. Okocha had another shot blocked. Cox did well to block a shot and Tony Weston made a good low save as Blackmore searched for an equaliser. Wright sent a shot wide. Wright and Cox both blocked shots. A good effort by Wright and another low save from Tony Weston were precursors to the final whistle. Final score: Blackmore Athletic 0 v 1 Leyton Orient Reds (Okocha).

The third match was against a Whites team who lined up with Akthar in goal, Rohm in defence (as Birnbaum was inevitably delayed), a midfield three of Perry (Cpt), Edwards and Burns with Lillington up-front. Blackmore were now well warmed up and, helped by some poor passing and decision-making by the Whites players, were able to score four times during the match. Akthar still made some good saves and there was some determined defending and occasional shots but Blackmore were a level above the Whites. Final score: Leyton Orient Whites 0 v 4 Blackmore Athletic.

The final match of the day was again against the Whites who started with the same line-up. The Whites were better and it was goalless at half-time at which point the now-present Birnbaum replaced Rohm. There were a couple of flowing passing moves from the Whites but Blackmore were still able to score three times. Okocha came on for Perry for the final few minutes. Final score: Leyton Orient Whites 0 v 3 Blackmore Athletic.

Stand-in Manager Shayne Perry remarked: “Many thanks to Blackmore for coming to Wadham and for playing one more match than originally planned. They were tough opponents as befits being the Division One Over 50s Champions. The Reds played very well in both matches with good passing and movement combined with determined defending which all bodes well for their forthcoming Division Two campaign."

“The Whites will have learned a lot from today – misplaced passes, in particular, get punished by the better teams. It must also be said that, in comparison to the Reds, the Whites are still very much a work-in-progress with some players hardly having played in the same team in competitive matches.”

“Finally, all players who want to play for the over 50s in the Essex League need to sign up for all the Reds AND Whites fixtures for which they are available. This will enable the over 50s Management Team to make selection decisions which optimise the group(s) of players available and, hopefully, lead to the fielding of two teams which can both be competitive in their respective divisions.”

Leyton Orient Reds squad: Tony Weston (Gk), Steve Eades (Cpt), Adam Rohm, Paul Weston, Alan Cox, Andrew Okocha, Stuart Wright.

Leyton Orient Whites squad: Noveed Akhtar (Gk), Shayne Perry (Cpt), Adam Rohm, Jason Edwards, Neil Burns, Julian Lillington, Maurice Birnbaum, Andrew Okocha.

Goalscorers: Okocha.

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Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley