Saturday 19th July, Billericay – With storm warnings flashing and pitches on the verge of becoming paddling pools, Leyton Orient’s scratch Saturday 60s squad laced up for a sodden shot at glory in the Essex Walking Football League Cup. Lightning promised, thunder threatened, but no time for excuses.

Two four-team mini-leagues. Top two advance. The odds didn’t favour a makeshift Orient side, particularly after John Wood withdrew late, forcing Nad Pillay to shuffle from clipboard to captain’s boots. Gratitude, too, to Everett, who answered the call to guard the net on short notice. All matches trimmed to 15-minute one-half sprints.

First up, familiar adversaries Romford. Old rivals, old rhythms. Neither side blinked in a tense opening encounter that saw Everett reduced to an observer. The game’s best chance came via a weighted through ball from Pillay, finding Kotonou darting into space. His first touch set him up perfectly, but just as he pulled the trigger, a whistle from a neighbouring pitch threw him off. His scuffed effort was saved. Stalemate. And strangely, a spectacle in its own right. Final score: Romford 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

Clacton Knights, an unknown quantity, offered a more fluid, aesthetically pleasing game – but strayed worryingly beyond walking pace. Transgressions and free-kicks became frequent companions. Orient grew into the contest, with Pillay finding Birnbaum on the left for a couple of promising efforts. But with the clock winding down and the Reds pushing high, Clacton broke. A rare lapse from Baker saw him on the wrong side of his man, and his desperate attempt to recover was ruled DOGSO – blue card and penalty. No chance for Everett. Down to five, the Reds showed their mettle. Pillay again threaded Birnbaum through on goal. A Knight raced back – too quickly. Four offences. Penalty! Pillay drilled it under the keeper to level. A fine point earned. Final score: Clacton Knights 1 v 1 Leyton Orient (Pillay).

A win against Little Oakley would secure a semi-final berth. A draw might suffice. The heavens opened. Within a minute Dooley challenged for a 50/50. Blue card! Both sets of players scratched their heads as the Reds’ man was sin binned. Dooley is probably still scratching his. Orient held firm, even as Oakley struck the post. Once Dooley returned, Orient asserted control. Kotonou jinked past his marker and rifled goalward – only to be denied by a brilliant reflex stop. The Orient woodwork was troubled again, but the net refused to ripple. Another draw. A performance worthy of more. Final score: Little Oakley 0 v 0 Leyton Orient.

And then the final twist: in their last match, Romford netted a late winner, nudging the Reds out of the final spots. Football can be cruel.

Captain Nad Pillay reflected: “Despite the weather, it was fun. There was a very good spirit amongst the all the teams today. For an irregular unit, I thought we gave a good account of ourselves – secure in possession, careful in transition. Everett looked composed and distributed well. Conlan was a calm presence at the back, and the midfield – Birnbaum, Guerrini, Dooley, Baker – kept us tight when we didn’t have the ball. We lacked a bit of incision in attack, but Kotonou and the team did more than enough to feel a little hard done by.”

Cup dreams dashed, perhaps – but pride intact. And that, sometimes, is the greater victory.

Leyton Orient squad: Keith Everett, Tim Conlan, Vince Dooley, Maurice Birmbaun, Nad Pillay (Cpt), Jack Kotonou, Simon Baker, Steve Guerrini.

Goalscorers: Pillay

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