Drawn in a favourable group, 65 Reds topped their table to qualify for the finals.

First up for the Reds were fellow division one team Chelmsford Blue. Though not on best form, Reds got off to a good start winning with a well taken Ridley penalty, following running offences by Chelmsford.

Chelmsford Blue 0 Orient Reds 1.

The second game was against division 2 leaders Beacon Hill. Reds never got to grips with this game looking tense in their play. Reds conceded when the opposition centre forward squeezed a shot into the net despite the attention of 2 defenders. Reds went down to 5 men for at least 4/5 minutes, when the referee adjudged that an Orient sub came on before the outgoing player had left the field. A late penalty gave Orient a chance for a point but unfortunately they were denied.
Orient Reds 0 Beacon Hill 1

The third game saw the Reds up against old foes Romford. Another Ridley penalty following running offences, saw the Reds take the lead and control the game. However, Romford came back into game late on and equalised. The game finished all square in a match Reds should have won.

Romford 1 Orient Reds 1

The final game saw the Reds needing a win against Concord Rangers Blue to ensure qualification. Orient controlled the game from the off and pressed high to produce their most cohesive performance of the day. This pressure told as Ridley smashed the ball high into the net for the opener. Only a fine save from the Concord keeper, touching the ball onto the post, denied Ridley a second. Orient managed the game out for their second and what proved to be crucial win.

Orient Reds 1 Concord Rangers Blue 0

Captain and team manager for the day Mick Mullins commented:

“Happy we won our group but we will need to up our game on finals day!
Squad -
Weston T
Gurman
Mullins (Captain)
Burns
Howard
Stevenson
Birnbaum
Ridley
Scorer: Ridley 3.