On Tuesday 24th June Leyton Orient Walking FC Over 65 Reds and Whites both took part in the next round of Essex Walking Football League over 65s Division 2 fixtures. It was an overcast, but warm morning as both teams turned up to prepare for three crucial matches each.

Orient’s Over 65 Reds went into the penultimate round of fixtures looking to hold on to top spot with Chelmsford just one point behind while Orient Whites aspired to go through the day unbeaten.

First up for Orient Reds was Harlow Town. The O’s started with Weston in goal, T Conlan at the back, Stevenson, Mullins and Howard in midfield and Cox up front. The team played some great possession football in the first half that resulted in so much chasing by Harlow that they gave away a penalty for four running offences within nine minutes. Cox dispatched the penalty high and right of the keeper to give the O’s a half time lead. Jacobs replaced Howard to provide more defensive cover. The second half saw Orient Reds continue to dominate proceedings. The second goal came with four minutes remaining when Cox pounced on the edge of the box to trickle the ball past the Harlow keeper. Barrick replaced Stevenson to see the game out. There was a small scare with a minute left when Harlow claimed a consolation goal from a free kick, but Orient saw out the game to claim three points. Final score: Harlow Twon 1 v 2 Leyton Orient Reds (Cox 2).

First up for Leyton Orient Whites were Concord Yellow, who were less than supersonic according to their rock bottom league position. With debuts for Spence in goal and C Conlan up front, the team started well, controlling possession and staying disciplined in defence. A terrific through ball from Rains at the back found Conlan in space, who turned and blasted the ball into the back of the net. Soon after Rains turned from hero to villain as he stepped back into the area defending a rare Concord attack. The resulting penalty was duly dispatched. In the second half Orient Whites continued to dominate proceedings. Eventually our luck turned as Concord clocked up four running offences. Conlan stepped up to coolly fire in the resulting penalty. A well deserved win. Final Score: Concord Yellow 1 v 2 Leyton Orient Whites. (C Conlan 2).

Orient Reds then faced Romford with the same starting line up. Within four minutes, Cox needed to come off with double vision and was replaced by Barrick. Barrick was instrumental in one of the goals of the season, receiving a pass from Mullins in the middle and then bisecting the Romford defence to find Howard who had moved up front on the left hand side of the area who smashed the ball high into the Romford net just before the break. No changes were made at half time, but the running offences were totting up and were at three with five minutes remaining. Jacobs came on for Barrick to sit in a defensive role, but unfortunately the fourth running offence occurred with a couple of minutes remaining. The Romford striker stepped up (two or three steps), struck the ball well and saw his effort saved by Weston. Then the Romford striker had two or three steps inside the area waiting for the ball to roll out before striking the ball into the net. Unbelievably, the goal was given despite the Orient protests and the sheepish acceptance of the goal by Romford. There was no time to score again. Final score: Romford 1 v 1 Leyton Orient Reds (Howard).

Next up for Orient Whites were Harlow Town, another team fighting to move up the table. This was a much closer encounter with Orient controlling the game with poise and discipline. The marking was tight and in possession the Whites moved the ball efficiently. Half way through the first half, Neophytou found Baker, who had switched from left to right. He swivelled and shot across the keeper with venom, planting the ball into the back of the net. The second half continued with speculative shots from Inkpen, C Conlan and Dooley and some great saves from Spence. With the team eager to get a second goal, they were caught short at the back allowing Harlow to break free and score an equaliser. Orient continued to press and were finally awarded a penalty for four running offences. Conlan stepped up once again but unfortunately was unlucky to hit the post missing out on giving Orient what would have been a deserved win. Final Score: Harlow Town 1 v 1 Leyton Orient Whites (Baker).

Orient Reds loss of two points, now meant Orient Reds could be overhauled by Chelmsford at the top. For the final game of the day against Billericay Town White, there was one change to the starting line up as Barrick took on the central midfield role with Howard and Stevenson playing in the wide midfield roles. Cox dispatched a couple of shots in the first half which ended up goal less. Mullins and Jacobs replaced Barrick and Stevenson at the break. Cox came close to breaking the deadlock with a superb shot that grazed the wrong side of the post. With four minutes left and the sense that Orient needed to win to keep the title hopes alive, T Conlan was replaced by Stevenson. Billericay then played around Orient until the last minute when a corner and free kick ended up with a Howard shot that went wide. That was the last action of the game. Leyton Orient Reds 0 v 0 Billericay Town White.

Leyton Orient Whites final fixture was against Billericay Red. They were probably the best team Orient Whites had played so far, but Orient were equal to the challenge. The team remained disciplined with their marking and were able to get a few shots away, notably Inkpen twice from distance. Spence continued to thwart the Billericay attack although they did hit the bar on one occasion, which was a heart in mouth moment, but Orient Whites managed to see out a goalless draw. Final Score: Leyton Orient Whites 0 v 0 Billericay Red.

Five points didn’t appear to be enough on the day when Orient Reds needed at least seven to ensure a shot of the title on the final day. However, news filtered through that Chelmsford had been defeated which meant there was still hope, and better still they had drawn their other games. This left Orient Reds four clear at the top. Also, the combination of other results meant that Orient Reds were guaranteed a top two spot and promotion back to division one next season.

After play manager David Clancy said, “The Orient Reds once again showed their resilience and although a poor refereeing decision denied them a second deserved win, they are still unbeaten going into the last two games of the season in September. There can be no complacency in the last two games against Orient Whites and Chelmsford who will both want to beat the Reds for their own reasons. This team deserves the promotion. Now they have to claim the title.”

Meanwhile Leyton Orient Whites captain Baker commented “This was an excellent all round team performance where we were able to control games for long periods and avoid conceding any penalties for running.”

Leyton Orient over 65s Reds squad: Tony Weston (Gk), Tim Conlan, Mick Mullins (Cpt), Alan Cox, Micky Howard, Phil Stevenson, Phil Jacobs,
Jon Barrick.

Leyton Orient over 65s Whites squad: Aidan Spence (Gk), Simon Baker (Cpt), Peter Rains, Vince Dooley, Steve Inkpen, Fid Neophytou, C hris Conlan, Jack Kotonou.

Goalscorers: Cox 2, C Conlan 2, Howard, Baker.

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Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley