On Wednesday 18th June Leyton Orient Walking Fc attended their second charity event of the week in aid of prostate and ovarian cancer which took place at Barnet Powerleague. Organised by the RIP walking football club, who were committed to keeping matches going for 24 hours.

After having fielded sixteen players two days earlier at Romford, Leyton Orient Walking FC found another six to take part, including, for the second time in three days, the enthusiastic Julian Lillington, who was undeterred by having had all his kit stolen the previous day in that local den of iniquity, Wanstead.

The Orient Six did not include a natural goalkeeper but they were able to call on three of them, thoughtfully supplied by the hosts. In their four scheduled matches, played one after the other in scorching heat, the O’s showed their gratitude by giving the loanees plenty to do.

The first game, against RIP, was a lively affair of nine goals. At half-time the score was all square with two apiece, Lillington and Rohm have come up with equalisers. In the second half the pattern of a basketball match continued, but RIP edged it overall, with the same two Orient scorers on the mark again. Final score: RIP 5 v 4 Leyton Orient (Lillington 2, Rohm 2).

The next game against Welwyn proved a tough one, although the balance of play was not reflected in the scoreline. Orient earned compliments from the opposition for their consolation goal resulting from their best move of the day, started by Lillington and Taylor and finished by Tongue. Final score: Welwyn 4 v 1 Leyton Orient (Tongue).

The third and fourth games were against RIP. In the first of them the O’s kept the ball better, as well as benefiting from some excellent saves by a youthful goalkeeper. He was beaten at last but when RIP committed a fourth running offence Lillington, clearly happy in his new boots, slotted home the penalty. Final score: RIP 1 v 1 Leyton Orient (Lillington pen).

By the fourth game in quick succession an O’s squad with only one outfield substitute was flagging in the heat and two basic defensive errors left opposing forwards clean through to score first-half goals. Refusing to give in, Orient halved the deficit through Lillington following a free-kick but could not find an equaliser. Final score: RIP 2 v 1 Leyton Orient (Lillington).

Skipper Tongue said: “As at Romford, results were the least important thing, but a scratch squad unused to playing on boards performed creditably. Special mention to Alan Lester, who went beyond the call of duty by turning out in later matches as well. And our thanks to RIP, who showed their appreciation by generously applauding us off.”

Leyton Orient squad: Alan Lester, Adam Rohm, Steve Inkpen, Steve Tongue (Cpt), Mark Taylor, Julian Lillington.

Goalscorers: Lillington 4, Rohm 2, Tongue.

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Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley