On a gloriously sunny morning on Saturday 29th March, Leyton Orient Over 60s were in action at Billericay Town FC in the first round of fixtures for the newly formed Essex Walking Football League Over 60s Saturday Division. The squad was comprised of four player who were 60 to 64 year olds and four who were over 65. Two players making their league debuts for Orient, Jack Kotonou and Barry Watson, were welcomed to the squad.

Orient’s first match was against Valley Green, a team new to the Essex League. Not knowing the strength of the opposition, Orient set up cautiously for the first half, with two at the back (Birnbaum and Guerrini) and three in midfield (Baker, Burns and Dooley) with a view to retaining the ball, controlling possession and minimising the risk of errors. Orient controlled possession of the ball, and made a number of chances, with Burns hitting the outside of the post from a sweetly struck angled left-foot drive. However, a lapse of concentration following a set piece allowed Valley Green to break away and their player scored with a well struck drive into the far corner from their only shot of the half. Orient switched to a more familiar 1-3-1 formation for the second half, with Watson replacing Baker and Kotonou on for Guerrini although taking up the central striker role. Orient continued to dominate possession and a few minutes into the half were rewarded when a good passing move culminated in Dooley slipping a cute pass to Kotonou who slotted the ball home with aplomb. During the match, the number of team running offences for both sides had been accumulating frequently. Shortly after the equaliser, Valley Green committed their fourth team running offence and Orient were awarded a penalty. Burns was given the responsibility. He struck the ball well to the goalkeeper’s left, but unfortunately he anticipated well and dived to push the ball onto the post. Orient continued to control play and had a few other shots well saved by the Valley Green goalkeeper. However, another lapse in concentration led to Valley Green breaking away for their only meaningful attempt of the second half although on this occasion they were unable to score. Final score: Valley Green 1 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kotonou).

Next up were Bexley, who are new entrants to the Essex League this season. Despite this, Bexley are familiar opponents for Orient, having played them at different age groups in various cup competitions. The midweek Over 60s team also played them in the opening round of fixtures this season. Bexley arrived with an impressive history, having won the Kent League for the last four seasons without losing a match and they regularly go deep into national cup competitions. Orient retained the 1-3-1 formation and line-up that finished the previous match. Despite the quality of the opposition, Orient established a level of control in the early stages of the match, retaining and passing the ball well. Bexley then established a foothold in the game but Orient generally defended well all over the pitch. However, two lapses in concentration led to two goals in quick succession for Bexley. At half-time, Guerrini replaced Birnbaum and Baker came on for Watson. Orient generally matched Bexley for possession and opportunities during the second half. However, in virtually the last play of the half, Bexley were awarded a penalty for a fourth team running offence by Orient. The penalty taker smashed the ball into the centre of the goal to complete the scoring. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 3 Bexley.

The final game of the day was against Little Oakley. Orient again used the 1-3-1 formation with Watson replacing Burns in central midfield and Guerrini playing as the central striker in place of Kotonou. Little Oakley are experienced competitors in the Essex League. They retained possession well and were often able to find their central striker from long passes. However, Orient worked hard to manage him and defend against the other players that he was trying to bring into the game. Despite this effort and concentration, another lapse in focus allowed a Little Oakley player to break away and score from the right side with a cross shot across goalkeeper Blunt who could not do anything about the well struck shot. At half-time, Kotonou replaced Guerrini as central striker and Burns came on for Baker, resuming the central midfield role, with Watson moving to the right. The game ebbed and flowed evenly with few clear chances for either team or shots on goal. However, Orient were thrown a lifeline when Little Oakley committed a fourth team running offence and conceded a penalty. This time Kotonou was handed the responsibility and he calmly side footed the ball into the corner of the goal to the goalkeeper’s left. Although losing shape on occasions, Orient managed the closing minutes of the game fairly comfortably and probed for openings when the opportunity presented. Final score: Little Oakley 1 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kotonou).

The Orient captain, Maurice Birnbaum, commented: “Although playing with a scratch squad for this round of fixtures, including two debutants, the performances against two very good teams in particular were commendable. Asked to play in a patient, possession-based style, all of the players accepted the approach and applied themselves with concentration and diligence. In goal, Brunt could not really do anything about the excellent shots that he conceded. However, his decision-making when restarting play was an important contribution to the style of play that the team followed. Birnbaum and Guerrini were solid in defence and generally made good choices about passing. Guerrini also gave a good account of himself as a central striker in one half. Baker, Dooley and Watson applied themselves with energy in making up a back three when defending, bringing play up the pitch and supporting the central striker. Burns was calm in central midfield, retaining control and acting as a pivot linking up play from defence to attack. Kotonou brought a central focus to the attack, holding the ball up to bring others into play and contributing two good finishes to deliver the points that the team’s performances deserved. Although not reflected in the total points tally, the team played well in a style that all had not all played collectively and without preparation for this. This bodes well for the rest of the season in this division. Without the occasional lapses in concentration, Orient could, and should, have had a few more points and been a place or two higher in the embryonic league table after the first round of fixtures.”

Leyton Orient Over 60s squad: Colin Brunt (Gk), Maurice Birnbaum (Cpt), Neil Burns, Simon Baker, Vincent Dooley, Steve Guerrini, Barry Watson, Jack Kotonou.

Goalscorers: Kotonou 2.

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