Leyton Orient over 50s Whites headed to Billericay still in contention for promotion to the Essex Walking Football League over 50s Division 2. Due to the loss of players to injury and relocation, it was a much changed squad with Paul Newman the only regular this season.

First up were fellow promotion contenders Valley Green. James in goal, Burns at the back, Guerrini, Dunn and Newman in midfield with Clancy up front. Orient started strongly and Dunn had a shot that rebounded off the post and back into play. Shortly after, Valley Green opened the scoring as the Orient defence went static on hearing a whistle from another pitch and just before the break the ball was given away on the right hand side of the area to a grateful Valley Green striker who doubled their lead. No changes were made at the break. The one positive from the first half was the Os discipline in not conceding running offences as opposed to Valley Green who had given three away by half time. Soon after the commencement of the second half, Valley Green duly gave away a penalty which was dispatched by Clancy. Having got back into contention, again defensive mishaps led to Valley Green scoring twice as the Os fell to their first defeat of the day. This was a result that took Orient out of the promotion mix. Final score: Valley Green 4 v 1 Leyton Orient (Clancy).

Next it was the final league game of the season against Romford B with Coles making his debut in place of Guerrini. Romford scored without Orient touching the ball taking a very early lead. Undeterred, Orient dominated from there in, maintained their discipline and kept passing the ball to feet and drawing Romford into running offences which led to the second penalty of the day which Clancy duly dispatched. Newman had a good shot saved after some excellent build up play as the Os headed into the break level. Guerrini replaced Newman at half time. The second half saw Orient start strongly and Clancy had two one on ones with the keeper. The first saved by the keeper with his trailing foot, but for the second, the keeper was grounded and the ball rolled into an empty net. Having worked so hard for the lead and been the better side, more defensive errors allowed Romford to equalise and go ahead. A last minute penalty conceded by running across the area saw Romford get a score line that flattered them. Final score: Romford 4 v 2 Leyton Orient (Clancy 2).

To wrap up the day Orient faced Chelmsford in a friendly match. With Guerrini injured and out for the final game, the big change was to put Burns up front and drop Clancy into the defence. This worked well with Orient restricting the Chelmsford striker to pot shots that were saved by James, until their striker injured himself shooting and took no further part in the game. The referee warned Clancy that he was on two offences so Burns swapped to central defence. There was an immediate dividend with Chelmsford conceding a penalty for walking across the area, however Clancy’s penalty was saved and the teams went in goalless at half time. The second half saw Orient compete well with Chelmsford, however their defender smashed a shot in that gave Chelmsford the victory. Orient chances were few, and the game petered out with a narrow defeat. Final score: Leyton Orient 0 v 1 Chelmsford.

Team captain David Clancy said after play, “The team competed very well, and most of the instructions were followed to the letter including passing to feet, not running, and letting the opposition indiscipline be to our advantage. However, the one area where the team did not gel was in defensive nous. This was understandable, given the team had not played together before and arguably there were no players who had played in that role for any of the EWFL teams this season. Whilst the results were disappointing, the overall performance was very good with some excellent moves carving out scoring opportunities. I would like to thank everyone who came along today and the great team spirit shown. The referee in the Romford game was very complimentary about the attitude of our team. A pleasure to have been captain today.”

Leyton Orient over 50s White squad: David James (Gk), David Clancy (Cpt), Neil Burns, Stevie Dunn, Dexter Coles, Steve Guerrini, Paul Newman.

Mick Mullins, Manager.

Goal scorers: Clancy (3)

© Copyright 2025 Leyton Orient Walking FC
Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley