Leyton Orient Walking FC’s over 60s side travelled to Billericay on a grey Tuesday afternoon, 15 April, looking to build on their unbeaten start to the league season.

Their first opponents, the also-unbeaten Billericay Town White, found the O’s in dominant form from the off, with Orient quickly drawing three running offence calls. Surprisingly, it was Billericay who were awarded the first tot-up penalty of the match – including one offence harshly applied to Mullins after a fine goal. Weston in the Orient goal denied Billericay by making a brilliant save, tipping the bottom-corner-bound effort around the post. Orient continued to press, with good efforts from Slater, Pillay, and Clancy, but the Billericay keeper was equally up to the task. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Billericay Town White.

Next up were Grays Athletic who were still without a point. Grays also struggled against a confident Orient side. A flowing move saw Dunn find Howard’s clever movement, and his powerful shot into the roof of the net left the keeper stranded. The second half saw both sides penalised repeatedly for running offences leading to penalties. Slater had his effort saved, while Weston made another superb stop, tipping the Grays spot-kick onto the post. Moments later, Pillay took a pass from Dunn, beat his defender, and smashed the ball in off the post to seal the win. Final score: Grays Athletic 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (Howard, Pillay).

Concord Rangers Blue provided a lively and robust final challenge, disrupting Orient’s passing rhythm early on. Once Orient regained their composure, the game settled into a balanced contest with few clear-cut chances. But in the dying seconds, a Dunn pass to Pillay on the edge of the Orient area was intercepted and stabbed home at Weston’s near post by a Concord player who appeared to be clearly running. Both sets of players looked surprised, albeit with contrasting emotions, as the goal stood. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Concord Rangers Blue.

Following play Captain Nad Pillay said, “Overall, the team played well. Weston made two outstanding penalty saves but had little else to do. Conlan was unbeatable one-on-one. Howard, despite a bit of friction with the ref, had his adventure rewarded. Dunn’s return brought energy and drive. Mullins was calm and reliable on the ball. Slater held up play effectively, bringing others in, and Clancy showed great movement and link-up play. But after a series of tidy performances, the manner of the loss – ending both our unbeaten run and clean sheet streak – understandably left the squad deflated, perhaps, a measure of the high standards we expect of ourselves. Still, one loss and just one goal conceded in six matches is a solid platform to build on as we head into the next round of fixtures."

Leyton Orient squad: Tony Weston (Gk), Tim Conlan, Stevie Dunn, Mick Mullins, Micky Howard, Nad Pillay (Cpt), Derek Slater, David Clancy.

Goalscorers: Howard, Pillay.

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