On the morning of Saturday, 8th March (International Women’s Day) Leyton Orient Walking FC Women set off for Southend for the Four Seasons Spring Cup. After some team drop outs the organisers decided that the remaining seven teams would play a round robin and the cup would be decided on the results. (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw.) The matches were to be nine minutes straight through.

The first team for Orient was Southend Whites. The Os began well and had lots of early possession. This led to an early shot which went just wide from Handley. Very soon after that Dowling picked up the ball and struck a long range shot which went flying into the back of the net. Orient continued with their good passing game leading to a high shot from Jones and a lovely move involving Handley and Baker which forced a good save from the Whites’ keeper. Final score: Southend Whites 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Dowling).

Orient’s second match was against old foes Cheshunt. This was a cagey affair but Leyton Orient defended solidly and had plenty of the ball. The Os won several free kicks which led to a fine shot from Grint which was saved and the rebound went over from Baker. Selner also had a shot that went wide whilst Williams, in the Orient goal, was barely troubled. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Cheshunt.

Orient’s next game was against North London United. The team in blue began brightly with an early shot that was saved easily by Williams. The ball then went to the other end of the pitch where Handley struck the ball firmly and it went under the body of the North London keeper into the back of the net. Grint had another good long range shot and Matthews had a shot blocked by the keeper. The ball rolled back towards Matthews but came to a standstill just inside the area. There was danger when a North London striker got the ball at the edge of the area but Williams expertly closed her down and held the ball well. Final score: North London United 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Handley).

Orient then played Battle Axes, a team from Sussex. This was a tight game. There were periods of good passing play from the Os leading to a high shot from Baker. Pressure from the Battle Axes was defended well and led to them shooting high. Dowling had a long shot well saved by the Battle Axes’ keeper. The game ended goalless. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Battle Axes.

Leyton Orient moved on to play Romford Randoms next. Orient began well earning a free kick which led to an early shot on target which was saved by the Romford keeper. Romford also had an early shot at goal but Williams was more than equal to it. Orient then began to pepper the opposition goal. Baker had a shot tipped over by the Romford keeper and then she had a shot saved at close range and Matthews also had an on-target shot saved. As the minutes ticked away Kau won the ball and passed to Selner. Selner passed to Baker who put the ball firmly into the net. Final score: Romford Randoms 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Baker).

The final match was against Southend Greens. Southend had an early shot saved by Williams. Shortly afterwards, Grint went down the left wing sending in a great ball for Handley. Handley’s shot was well struck but hit the post. Grint made another excursion down the wing and, again, got the ball to Handley. Unfortunately, Handley’s shot was wide. Selner also had a shot go wide. The Greens then began to fight back and won two free kicks in quick succession. Both free kicks led to wide shots. The play then moved back down the pitch with a shot from Baker. Selner fed the ball to Handley who shot but the keeper tipped the ball over the bar. Just as Orient began to think it was not going to be their day, Baker picked up the ball on the right and, in a moment of genius, lifted the ball just enough to clear the keeper. Final score: Southend Greens 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Baker).

When all the results were totted up Battle Axes and Southend Greens had 7 points, Cheshunt had 12 points and Leyton Orient had 14 points and were therefore declared the winners! Orient had won four matches, drawn two and not conceded any goals.

Captain Selner said, ”So proud of you ladies and the way we played as a whole squad today, everyone played their part. Thank you to our hosts at Southend and to the referees for all your hard work."

Orient’s roving reporter is gutted that she is injured and wasn’t able to play today but it was so wonderful to watch the way the Os played and supported each other. In three months time Leyton Orient will be defending this victory at the Four Seasons Summer Cup in Colchester.

Leyton Orient squad: Andree Selner (Cpt), Chris Williams (Gk), Sam Baker, Sally Jones, Frances Handley, Lynda Dowling, Sarah Grint, Mary Kau, Ann Matthews.

Goalscorers: Baker(2), Dowling, Handley.

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Image used © 2025 Alison Kay