On the afternoon Of Tuesday 23rd September Leyton Orient Walking FC Over 65 Whites arrived at Billericay for their final two matches of the season, plus a friendly. The plan was to try and edge a little up the table with some positive results.

First up though were Leyton Orient Reds who were very keen to clinch the title and needed a win to do so. The Whites lined up with Spence in goal. Rains at the back, Dooley, Baker and Inkpen in midfield and Armour up front. The Whites kicked off and proceeded to keep the ball for a full three minutes before the Reds even got a sniff. Even when they got some possession they kept giving it away with a string of stray passes. The tense encounter continued into the second half with only speculative shots from both sides untroubling the keepers. The Reds stepped up the pressure as the game continued, but the Whites remained resolute with tight marking and back to the wall defending. The game was goalless at the final whistle with the Reds the more frustrated team. Final Score: Leyton Orient White 0 v 0 Leyton Orient Reds.

Leyton Orient Whites second and final league match was against Romford, who were a couple of places above Whites in the table. Buoyed by their excellent showing against the Reds, the team started positively, keeping possession and firing a couple of early shots off at the Romford keeper. At one point Kotonou was one on one with the keeper but slid the ball agonisingly wide of the post. Romford pushed back and a shot was well saved by Spence only for the rebound to go straight to a Romford player who slotted home. Heads dipped and the Whites couldn’t keep the ball quite as well allowing Romford to bag a second goal. In the second half Orient Whites fought back hard and were finally rewarded with an excellent finish from Inkpen from a tight angle. Orient continued to push for an equaliser but to no avail. The last kick of the game was a shot from Romford that hit the back of the net. Season over with a disappointing defeat. Final Score: Romford 3 v 1 Leyton Orient Whites (Inkpen).

Orient Whites final match was a friendly against Chelmsford City who had recently been defeated by a title winning Leyton Orient Reds. Chelmsford started brightly, passing and moving with ease. A string of excellent saves by Spence kept them at bay, but inevitably Chelmsford took the lead with a fine strike before half time. In the second half Orient threw caution to the wind and pushed hard for an equaliser. Armour up front, held the ball up well and spotted Brennan moving up field in a central position, with cries of shoot from captain Baker, Brennan launched a superb strike that glanced in off the post. By now Orient were on their last legs after a tense and exhausting afternoon of football. Chelmsford’s superiority began to tell and two late goals finished Orient off. Final Score: Chelmsford City 3 v 1 Leyton Orient Whites (Brennan).

At the finish Captain Baker praised the effort put in by all members of the squad and congratulated Orient Reds on deservedly winning the title. With a more settled squad and a regular striker next season the team feel sure they can carry some of the successes of the current season forward into next year.

Leyton Orient Whites Squad: Aidan Spence(Gk), Simon Baker (Cpt), Vince Dooley, Steve Inkpen, Jack Kotonou, Tom Armour, Peter Rains, Mick Brennan.

Goalscorers: Inkpen, Brennan.

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