On Saturday 17th May Leyton Orient Walking FC Women travelled to Melbourne Park, Chelmsford on a warm afternoon to participate in the third league tournament of the Essex Women’s Walking Football League season in the Premiership Division. The starting line up of Williams in goal, Jones in defence, midfielders – Kavanagh, Selner and Grint, and lone striker Baker up front.

Games were seven minutes each way with a straight turnaround, so no significant break between games due to the tight scheduling of the Premiership as the Championship tournaments followed immediately after.

First up, Orient faced Harlow Town Pirates Reds. Orient didn’t settle in the game and an early loss of the ball resulted in a goal from Harlow Town who had been quick out of the blocks. This seemed to unsettle Orient further and marking mistakes led to another goal before half time. In the second half, Orient were judged to have a fourth ‘non-walking’ offence which Harlow Town converted from the penalty awarded. Orient had some shots on goal but none were accurate or low enough to worry the opposition keeper greatly. The game then seemed to stop; everyone apart from one Harlow Town player (who played to the whistle) stood still as everyone on both sides believed the person would be called up for ‘not-walking’, however the ref didn’t make the expected call so they carried on to a 1-v-1 on Orient keeper Williams who made an excellent save to minimise the loss. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 3 Harlow Town Reds.

Next up Orient played Romford Random Blues. Orient started much better and had two early shots on goal including one which hit the bar from Baker. A well taken corner was blocked by Romford but resulted in a high ball but the shot from Kavanagh, following the free kick, was saved. In the second half there were further goal attempts from Orient – including another shot from Baker hitting the woodwork and a super strike into the side netting from Grint. The game ended in a goalless draw and the loss of Baker, who had a nasty ankle injury to prevent her from any further action in the remaining games. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Romford Randoms Blues.

In the third game Orient faced Valley Green Diamonds. Matthews replaced Selner in midfield who moved upfront to replace the injured Baker. There were a plethora of shots on goal from Selner, Matthews and Kavanagh. Good blocks from Jones and a great save from Williams ended the half goalless. The second half was very much a repeat of the first with attempts from Kavanagh, Grint, Matthews and Selner. On another day Orient would have won easily but it was not to be. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Valley Green Diamonds.

Orient played Billericay Blues in the fourth match. Despite shots from Matthews, Grint, Kavanagh, it was Billericay who scored the only goal in the first half which went through a myriad of bodies and an unsighted Williams. The second half was fairly evenly matched and Matthews was replaced by Kay as she picked up an injury. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Billericay Blues.

The final game of the day for Orient was against Beacon Hill Rovers. There was an early goal from Kavanagh which put Orient ahead. Further shots followed from Selner, Grint, and Kavanagh. The second half was evenly matched. Kay kept her player closely marked negating that threat. Final score: Beacon Hill Rovers 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kavanagh).

After the game Captain Selner said “Great effort today. I don’t know how many times we hit the post. Great battling, heads didn’t drop, and a positive win at the end”. Manager Lewzey added “Grit and determination on the last game, and other than the first one, other games could have been won on a different day”.

Leyton Orient squad: Chris Williams (Gk), Sally Jones, Andree Selner (Cpt), Sarah Grint, Clare Kavanagh, Alison Kay, Sam Baker (Vice-Cpt), Ann Matthews.

Manager: Debbie Lewzey

Goalscorers: Kavanagh.

© Copyright 2025 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley