Only One Point In It!

On Sunday 22nd June, Leyton Orient Walking FC Women travelled to Colchester Sports Park to defend the cup that they had won in the spring. It was a very hot and sunny day and with a reduced squad of five, captain Selner had managed to drum up support with two players from North London, who had themselves been unable to field a full team so pulled out of the competition before today, along with an ex-Orient player.
The squad for the day was therefore boosted to eight players: Chris Williams (GK and interim vice-captain), Andree Selner, Debbie Lewzey, Anna Murray, Clare Kavanagh, Charmaine Bent (ex-Orient), Gwyneth Carty (North London), Hannah Liptrot (North London).

The format of the games started at 10 minutes each way, but due to time constraints of the pitch hire, and the heat necessitating water breaks at the half-way point, the last three games were reduced to 6 minutes each way.

In their first game, Orient faced Colchester and immediately took control. An early shot from Bent was deflected but a follow-up shot from Bent resulted in the first goal of the game. Orient were in control with further shots – first from Murray that went wide, a couple from Kavanagh that were saved or tested the woodwork and one from Liptrot which went wide. Kavanagh then put the ball past the Colchester keeper but it was ruled out as the foot was deemed to have followed through into the area. After the change of ends, there were two further shots from Kavanagh before an assist led to another goal from Bent. Carty then added to the score, with further shots from Bent, Kavanagh and Murray, before Kavanagh scored. A final shot by Bent off a corner from Carty was saved. Final score: Colchest 0 v 4 (Bent 2, Carty, Kavanagh).

The second game was Cheshunt against Orient which was fairly open but keeper Williams had a few saves to make in this game. Bent nearly opened the scoring with a great turn and shot that the Cheshunt keeper saved. A great angled shot from Cheshunt’s main striker, who had been pushed wide, was initially saved by Williams but the force was too great to be held on to and was parried onto the underside of the post and went in. Final score Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Cheshunt.

Next up Orient played Southend, who were the hosts of the tournament. Another solid performance from Orient but despite a number of attempts the shots were either wide or did not beat the Southend keeper. Orient’s keeper, on the other hand, had a quiet game. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Southend.

Orient had a break at game four where they would have been playing North London had they not pulled out prior to the competition. This gave the team the opportunity to watch Cheshunt and Bracknell, the latter opening the scoring. Cheshunt pulled level though through a penalty awarded when the referee seemed to have been swayed by the loud shouts from the Cheshunt coach of a defender stepping into the penalty area. Others watching felt this to be unfair but Cheshunt had no difficulty in scoring from the spot and giving them a point from the match.

In game five, Orient themselves faced Bracknell and the length of the games reduced to six-minutes each way. This was another game where Orient played well as a team and were in total control. There were shots from Murray and Bent. Williams then saved a shot from a Bracknell free kick. The eventual goal from Bent followed a lovely assist from Kavanagh. Final score: Bracknell 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Bent).

Orient’s sixth game was against newcomers Extra Time, although a couple of the faces were familiar from having previously played in other teams. This was another game where Orient were in control. There were shots in the first half from Bent and Lewzey that were saved and others from Kavanagh and Lewzey that were wide. In the second half there were further shots from Kavanagh along with a goal that was assisted by Liptrot. However four non-walking offences from Orient led to a penalty for the opponents. Their penalty taker, who scored against Cheshunt, stepped forward and whilst it went wide Williams had dived the right way so would possibly have saved if on target.
Final score: Extra Time 0 v 1 Leyton Orient (Kavanagh).

The final game was against Norwich. Kavanagh was again on target with a lovely ‘turn and shoot’ following a free kick. Murray doubled the score before Williams had a save to make. There was a high shot from Selner off a corner just before half time. In the second half, Orient again gave away a penalty for four non-walking offences. Despite a superb shot from Norwich, the penalty was disallowed due to the illegal steps taken. Final score: Norwich 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (Kavanagh, Murray).

The four wins, one draw and one loss gave us a total of thirteen points. Cheshunt had four wins and two draws including the one against Bracknell, which gave them a total of fourteen points. This meant the Cup was handed over to Cheshunt and Leyton Orient were runners up.

After the tournament, Captain Selner gave thanks to our loan players of Gwen, Hannah and Charmaine, commenting on how well we had all gelled as a team. She also gave praise to the goal scorers, midfield and defence, saying “so very proud how close we came to retaining the trophy!” and “So proud of the progress of the club and a pleasure to play with you ladies. We’ll get it back next time!!”

Leyton Orient squad: Chris Williams (Gk and interim vice-cpt), Andree Selner (Cpt), Debbie Lewzey, Anna Murray, Clare Kavanagh, Charmaine Bent (ex-Orient), Gwyneth Carty (North London), Hannah Liptrot (North London).

Managers for the tournament were Andree Selner & Debbie Lewzey.

Goalscorers: Bent 3, Kavanagh 3, Carty, Murray.

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Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley