EWFL over 65s Cup, Orient Whites, Group B - Tuesday 9th June

On a bright Tuesday morning the Leyton Orient Whites Squad arrived at Billericay with some trepidation. Not only had we been drawn in a particularly challenging group including the top two teams in Division 1, but were also short of injured captain for the day, Jon Barrick and team captain Baker - both carrying knee injuries. Dooley was nominated as captain for the day with Baker taking on managerial duties in the absence of Clancy on domestic leave.

After changing outside in the picnic area and discussing tactics and formations, the intrepid players headed off to their first match against Harlow Town, currently sitting in the lower half of the Division One table. Baker elected to start in a one three one formation with Myers in goal, Rains at the back, a midfield trio of Dooley, Inkpen and Kotonou and Slater up front, with Kassam waiting eagerly on the bench. The team quickly took control of proceedings with some good, disciplined passing play. Opportunities were created for Slater early on with a couple of off target shots on the Harlow goal. Inevitably with Leyton Orient dominating, Dooley found Slater and this time he was not to be denied, firing a sublime shot into the top right corner of the net. Harlow pushed back quickly with a succession of shots, all kept out with some excellent saves from Myers. Orient rallied, determined to hang on to their lead and Dooley managed a couple more shots at the opposition goal. Slater was replaced by Kassam and the the team fought hard in the remaining minutes to see out the game.
Final Score: Leyton Orient 1 - 0 Harlow Town (Slater)

Next up was the daunting prospect of Chelmsford Clarets, currently top of the table in Division One. The formation was changed for this match with a low block of two at the back and three in midfield. As predicted Chelmsford dominated possession with Orient resolutely defending by filling out the midfield and staying close to the players they were marking. Inevitably a Chelmsford player wriggled free into space to launch an unstoppable shot into the net. Leyton Orient continued to battle hard, but when a free kick was awarded to Chelmsford, Leyton were slow to get their wall properly organised before another rocket through a gap left Myers helpless as it rippled the net. After this Chelmsford took their foot off the gas and calmly saw the game to its conclusion.
Final Score: Chelmsford City Clarets 2 - 0 Leyton Orient

Another tricky fixture awaited us as next up were Wakering, another high flying team with at least two England players in their midst. Once again Orient set up to try and block the path to goal. This time a succession of no less than five outstanding saves from Myers, prevented Wakering from getting the upper hand. Indeed with a rare foray forward, Kotonou was found in space but was unable to make his shot count. Wakering continued to dominate possession and eventually a player was found in space to blast an excellent shot into the Orient net. A second goal soon followed, again giving Myers no chance of getting a hand to it. Despite this Orient’s heads did not drop and they continued to compete well until a much disputed fourth running offence presented Wakering with a penalty that was duly dispatched despite Myers getting a hand to it.
Final Score: Leyton Orient 0 - 3 Wakering

Our final match was against Blackmore Athletic, a fellow Division Two side. Baker resorted back to a One Three One formation for this game in the hope of collecting another three points. Orient dominated possession and were soon awarded a free kick that Dooley fired narrowly wide. Playing some lovely possession football Orient continued to push for a goal and eventually Slater found Dooley out on the right and despite the narrow angle he was able to shoot across the goalkeeper with the ball bouncing in off his right hand post. A deserved lead. Despite Baker instructing the team to look after the ball and see out the game, a sloppy bit of defending allowed Blackmore to get their only shot on goal which thankfully hit the post, though Myers was adamant he had it covered. This rare lapse focussed the team and they confidently kept the ball until the final whistle for a deserved victory.
Final Score: Blackmore Athletic 0 - 1 Leyton Orient (Dooley)

Six points from four games was a decent return, indeed Orient were third in the final table on the same number of points as Chelmsford, though they went through with a superior goal difference. Stand in manager Baker commented on the collective team spirit on the day against some difficult opposition. He also expressed his thanks to Barrick who despite being injured came along to support the team and offer valuable advice

Leyton Orient Squad: Myers. Rains, Dooley. Inkpen, Kassam, Slater, Cotonou

Goalscorerers: Slater, Dooley

Results

Leyton Orient 1 - 0 Harlow Town
Chelmsford City Clarets 2 - 0 Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient 0 - 3 Wakering
Blackmore Athletic 0 - 1 Leyton Orient

Match Report: Simon Baker