Leyton Orient Walking FC over 50s arrived at Billericay hoping to make progress in the FA Walking Football Cup. Seven teams were involved in a round robin event with only the top team going into the Regional Finals.

First up for the O’s were Romford. Zelkowicz arrived early for a 11pm start but unfortunately the first game was at 10.15pm. Orient began with Akhtar in goal, Rohm at the back, a midfield three of Harden, Franklin and Edwards with Eades up front. The O’s quickly took control and took the lead following good work by Franklin on the right flank who crossed for Edwards whose scuffed shot somehow eluded the goalkeeper. Orient sealed victory with a well worked second goal. Franklin found Eades with an excellent cross field pass, who then split the opposition defence and Edwards finished emphatically. Final score: Romford 0 v 2 Leyton Orient (Edwards 2).

A well refreshed Zelkowicz replaced Edwards and Burns came in for Harden for the second game against Colchester Phoenix who were amongst the favourites to progress. Unfortunately the O’s conceded early, following a free kick, a ricochet fell kindly for a Colchester player who rifled the ball home. Akhtar thought he should have saved the effort but this was his only blemish on the day and he played excellently throughout the tournament. Colchester were well organised but the O’s put up a spirited resistance with good efforts on target from Franklin, Eades, Zelkowicz and Rohm from long range but unfortunately they could not manage an equaliser. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Colchester.

The next opponents were Southend the only team who had entered a mixed team. The O’s took the lead when Harden set Eades up for a tap in. Eades then hit the post when it was easier to score. Eades made amends when, following good work from Burns, he doubled Orient’s lead. A quick free kick from Franklin to Zelkowicz and a third goal was added. Zelkowicz got on the scoresheet again following an astute pass from Harden. Final score: Southend 0 v 4 Leyton Orient (Eades 2, Zelkowicz 2).

The fourth game was against Blackmore who were also amongst the favourites to qualify. Blackmore nearly took the lead in the first minute when, following a defensive error, the ball hit the post and rebounded to safety. A good save by Akhtar kept the game goalless. The O’s grew in confidence and following an intelligent through ball by Eades both Franklin and Zelkowicz had good efforts saved. The O’s then had an excellent chance to take the lead. Following a reckless and dangerous tackle on Eades the opposition player was shown a blue card and a penalty was awarded. Zelkowicz’s effort was well saved. Franklin had two good efforts but the breakthrough proved elusive. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Blackmore.

Valley Green were the next opponents. An error by Zelkowicz nearly gifted Valley Green the lead but an excellent save by Akhtar saved his blushes. The O’s grew into the game and started to dominate. Good interplay between Eades and Franklin ended in a fine save by the opposition keeper. A good through ball by Rohm allowed Eades to set up Zelkowicz but once again the keeper came to his team’s rescue. Rohm had an outstanding effort from long range, again foiled by excellent goalkeeping. Zelkowicz then received a blue card for totting up three fouls which seemed harsh given the nature of the offences. With the last kick of the game Eades passed to Zelkowicz whose effort produced yet another excellent save. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 0 Valley Green.

The final game of the day was against Brightlingsea. Orient should have had an early penalty when Eades was bearing down on goal and the opposition defender clearly ran to prevent the goal scoring chance. It was of no consequence as soon afterwards the O’s took the lead. An excellent ball from Franklin found Zelkowicz who calmly slotted the ball home. The game was wrapped up when Zelkowicz passed to Eades who squared to Harden who produced a neat finish. Final score: Brightlingsea 0 v 2 Leyton Orient Zelkowicz, /harden).

Although Orient missed out on the day manager Phil Stevenson was still upbeat saying, “This was a series of good performances. Everybody played well, with Eades leading the line intelligently, Franklin the mainstay in midfield, Rohm solid at the back and Akhtar excellent in goal. The rest of the squad all made valuable contributions. Football is a game of ifs and buts but the two drawn games were costly. The O’s deserved to win both of those games and had they done so they would have been level on points with Colchester the eventual and deserved winners. There is still a lot to play for. Currently Orient over 50s Reds occupy one of the relegation spots. This is frankly a ridiculous position to be in given the quality of the players available in this age group. Like last season availability has been a big problem. Hopefully when the league resumes in the autumn the availability will be better and the over 50’s Reds can avoid the embarrassment of successive relegations.”

Leyton Orient squad: Noveed Akhtar (Gk), Steve Eades, Mark Harden, Neil Burns, Jason Edwards, Jake Zelkowicz, Adam Rohm, Paul Franklin (Cpt).

Goal scorers: Zelkowicz 3, Eades 2, Edwards 2, Harden.

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Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley