On a sunny Saturday morning, 12th April, the Leyton Orient Walking FC over 50s Reds were eager to bounce back from a disappointing previous outing. With a squad full of ball-keepers and attacking options, confidence was high. A season-ending knee injury to Tony Sullivan meant Mike Freeman stepped in for his debut between the sticks.

The match against early league leaders Little Oakley Whites began with intensity. Within the opening 90 seconds, Orient were hit with three running offences, including a controversial one just after Eades had the ball in the net. Despite this setback, Orient settled quickly, with Okocha causing problems and creating several half chances. However, Little Oakley struck first with a quick counter-attack, their striker turning sharply and finishing low into the corner. A similar breakaway just before half-time left Orient two down, despite dominating both possession and shots. Undeterred, Orient came out strong in the second half and were rewarded when Okocha beat his marker and rifled the ball home. As pressure mounted, Orient conceded a penalty for a fourth running offence, but Freeman’s presence in goal forced the taker to drag his shot wide. Orient pressed for an equaliser, but it didn’t come. Final score: Little Oakley Whites 2 v 1 Leyton Orient Reds (Okocha).

Next up for Orient were Notley — who had failed to show in the previous session — in a quieter match that saw Freeman with little to do. Goals from Okocha and Cox secured a comfortable win. Eades had a penalty pushed onto the bar by the busy Notley keeper. Final score: Notley 0 v 2 Leyton Orient Reds (Okocha, Cox).

The day ended with a clash against second-place Stanway Rovers. Once again, Orient dominated possession and goal attempts but were undone on the break — first by a clinical first-time strike, then by a rebound following a blocked shot. Eades pulled one back with a sharp finish from a tight angle and nearly levelled with a solo run and shot in the game’s dying moments, but the keeper stood firm. Final score: Stanway Rovers 2 v 1 Leyton Orient Reds (Eades).

Captain Nad Pillay said, “Today’s individual and team performances were excellent, and the results don’t reflect our dominance. Both Little Oakley and Stanway were hanging on at the end, but credit to them for taking their chances. We can improve in shielding the defence and being more patient in front of goal, but this was a day of fine margins – and they just didn’t go our way this time.”

Leyton Orient over 50s Reds squad: Mike Freeman (Gk), Adam Rohm, Andrew Coyle, Nad Pillay (Cpt), Steve Eades, Andrew Okocha, Jake Zelkowicz, Alan Cox.

Goalscorers: Okocha 2, Eades, Cox.

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