Billericay – 8 November 2025: 50s Division 2

It began, fittingly, in silence. On a sunny Remembrance Day eve in Essex, the veterans of Leyton Orient Walking FC’s over 50s Reds stood shoulder to shoulder with their league comrades, heads bowed. The bugle wasn’t needed; the stillness said enough. For a moment, the aches, strains and half-taped ankles didn’t matter. The two minutes were immaculate – a brief unity before the usual chaos of battle. Even if the line resembled a casting call for a Dad’s Army reboot – the respect was faultless. Then, the whistle – and hostilities resumed.

“Situation critical,” read the team sheet. Ten minutes before kick-off, a dispatch received: Nwofor was absent without leave. The Reds’ six-man unit looked a platoon short of a regiment. With no reserves and few working knees, it was to be a long day on the front line.

In goal, Freeman stood tall – Leyton Orient’s last sentry – and by full time he would have medals pinned for valour. Around him, fresh recruit Dean Gibson and emergency conscript Mick Brennan held the trenches. This was football’s version of National Service: called up late, expected to serve with dignity. A long campaign already scarred by injuries and absenteeism had left the once-formidable Reds just three points above relegation. And on this, the final day of the season, three matches from surrender. The mood was less tiki-taka, more backs to the wall – a day less for shin pads, more for tin hats.

First Engagement: Concord Rangers Blue. The enemy struck early. A twist, a turn, and a left-foot shell that pinged in off the post – unstoppable. Freeman could only salute. Brennan, ever the corporal, blamed himself, though the strike had been executed with sniper’s precision. Pillay advanced bravely into enemy territory soon after, only for his shot to dribble away like a dud round. The Reds retreated into a defensive posture, soaking up pressure, relying on their keeper’s command. Freeman, cat-like, parried and plunged, saving more than goals – saving morale. In the second half, the Reds rallied. Woods led the line like a weary sergeant, buffeted but unbowed despite the constricted supply lines. When Concord’s walking discipline broke down for a fourth time, the referee pointed to the spot. Zelkowicz stepped forward. The keeper went left; Zelkowicz went right – only for the trailing leg to deflect justice. Moments later, Orient over-committed in pursuit of parity – too quickly. Penalty. Again, Freeman guessed correctly, diving to his right to repel the shot – a defiant act in a losing cause. Final score: Concord Rangers Blue 1 v 0 Leyton Orient Reds.

If the first encounter was attrition, the second – against Billericay Town Blue – was defiance. Early on, Zelkowicz’s 25-yarder skimmed the outside of the post – a tracer bullet just wide. But possession again proved a luxury. Freeman, in inspired form, was soon called into action as waves of blue advanced. Then came the flashpoint: Brennan, blocking bravely, was harshly judged guilty of denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) – the footballing equivalent of being court-martialled for heroism. Penalty. Freeman stood his ground, guessed right, and parried magnificently, then channelling David Raya, a spectacular double save as his camaradas froze. After the break came transformation. Loins girded, perhaps, stirred by their keeper’s courage, the Reds regrouped. Woods, battered but belligerent, harried defenders. Zelkowicz, Gibson and Pillay pushed forward like lieutenants urging one last charge. A sweeping move almost delivered glory: Freeman to Pillay, on to Zelkowicz, his diagonal arcing beautifully for Woods, who ghosted in behind enemy lines – only to drag wide. Moments later, Woods was felled but, in a decision that defied both reason and gravity, was penalised himself. Already on two greens, he was shown blue. And when the man in black demanded the striker’s name for his list, Captain Pillay snapped, “Don’t tell him, Woods!” Well, he might have… stupid boy. There was still time for another penalty against Orient – and still time for Freeman, obeying the mantra not to panic, to repel it. Three penalties faced, three saved. A clean sheet, a hard-earned draw, and a salute from all who watched. Final score: Billericay Town Blue 0 v 0 Leyton Orient Reds.

Word filtered through that relegation rivals Beacon Hill Rovers had fallen. A point against Bexley would be enough for Orient’s survival. For once, the Reds started like soldiers who knew the mission. Gibson moved up front, Woods dropped deeper, and the passing clicked. Bexley’s neat four across the middle met a defensive wall forged in adversity. Both sides traded possession like two battalions out of ammunition – a draw seemed a gentleman’s truce, and both were happy to shake on it. Final score: Bexley Reds 0 v 0 Leyton Orient Reds.

And so, the six guns of Leyton Orient Reds endured. Knock-kneed and bent double, they did not march gloriously, but they stood firm – ticking without detonating. Grateful to Freeman “the Cooler King” and his gloves in his box, the Reds escaped. But it wasn’t great. And on this Remembrance weekend, looking back over the past few months, however sweet and fitting: this was a season to forget.

Captain, Nad Pillay saw encouraging signs: “Given the circumstances and no substitutes, the team played well enough, improving as the day went on. Special mention for Gibson’s spirited debut, Brennan’s bravery at the back, and Freeman – simply outstanding. Let’s try to look forward and prepare better for the next campaign.”

As the players dispersed, there was little triumphalism. Just a weary satisfaction – the knowledge that they had survived, that camaraderie had carried them through when skill had not. On a day that asked for reflection, perhaps that was the point. For amid the fatigue and the fumbling, there was something nobler: men in their fifties still answering the call, still chasing, still caring. And as Freeman, gloves packed, smiled quietly at his good fortune to still be playing, it was hard not to think that this – not medals, not promotion – was the true victory worth remembering.

Leyton Orient Reds squad: Mike Freeman (Gk), Mick Brennan, Jake Zelkowicz, Nad Pillay (Cpt), Dean Gibson, Andrew Woods.

Goalscorers: .

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Image used © 2025 Trevor Ridley