Match Report - Essex Women’s Walking Football League Cup

On Saturday 20th June 2026 Leyton Orient Walking FC Women again travelled to Great Baddow High School, this time for the Essex League Cup. It was a hot day so plenty of fluids were taken and the gazebo was erected. The tournament had been sorted into two groups, based on seeding of the league positions they held within each of the premiership and championship. Orient were in Group B a mixture of a couple of our ‘normal teams’ and some others. There were five games in the Group stages with each game only ten minutes straight through. Depending on the finishing position, teams would then go into the quarter-finals and semi-finals (12 minute games) for either the Cup or the Plate (15 minute game). As keeper Williams was nursing injuries and in need of a bit more of a rest before playing again in the league, the squad for the day was: Debbie Lewzey (GK/Manager), Sally Jones, Sarah Grint, Andree Selner, Clare Kavanagh, Sam Baker (Captain), Frances Handley, Alison Kay and Chris Williams.

Manager Lewzey asked for a quick start to every game with the aim/hope of an early goal which could then be defended. The team rose to the challenge and the outfield players did their best to minimise the shots on goal in every game. The opening game was against Stanway Rovers. We had only played against them in a friendly at Wadham Lodge and whilst we suspected they might be an easier team than our normal opponents, we didn’t want to take any chances and played an attacking team. Orient were quick out of the blocks, despite not having the kick-off but choice of ends, and won the ball with Kavanagh passing to Handley who shot with her left foot and scored. The attack continued, Handley to Baker who shot wide; Kavanagh to Jones who hit the post, Handley who shot across goal. But then Handley passed to Kavanagh who scored. We had a couple of non-walking offences, and at one moment Stanway did manage to penetrate the defence which had been brilliant, and shot wide of the post, although Lewzey had covered if it had been on target. This was perhaps the only work the stand-in keeper had to do in this game. There was further attacking play from Orient; Kavanagh passing to Baker who shot wide and a high shot from Selner before the final whistle blew. Result: 2-0 Orient (Handley, Kavanagh).

Our second game was against Valley Green Diamonds. Kavanagh went solo jiggling past players and shot low into the left hand corner of the opponents goal. She then had a long low shot but this was saved, followed by another which went wide of the mark. Valley Green won the ball through a non-walking offence but couldn’t capitalise on this and Orient won it back, with Handley passing to Kavanagh whose shot was again saved. Despite a bit of pressure from Valley Green who were unable to find the target or trouble the keeper with difficult shots, due to some great defending blocks, Orient kept going and Handley found Kavanagh again who shot into the bottom left hand corner Result: 2-0 Orient (Kavanagh 2).


Game three was against Beacon Hill Rovers Whites. An early shot from Kavanagh hit the post. Other shots went wide and the only ball which did hit the back of the net from Handley was ruled out as the striker had overstepped into the ‘D’. Whilst our temporary keeper was again not troubled in this match, Orient couldn't find the necessary goal to win the game Result: 0-0.

In the final group stage game, Orient faced Harlow Town Pirates. Early contact against Handley gave Orient a free kick but Grint’s shot was too high. Some excellent marking from all players and defending blocks from Selner, Jones and others prevented too many shots at the Orient keeper, although she did have to make a couple of saves and there were equally shots at the other end which were saved. Unfortunately Harlow did eventually manage to twist and turn her defender and get a powerful shot away in the top right hand corner of the Orient net which Lewzey had no chance in saving.
Result: 1-0 Harlow.

We now had a wait to see where our results fitted against others. We had only let in one goal in the five games, winning two and drawing two. We only knew that Harlow had won all of their games and were not aware of the other results. Coming second in the group stages it now meant that we were in the play-offs for the cup and were heading to the quarter finals. We faced Hawkwell in the first of the twelve minute games and the heat was really turning up. There was some good passing from Orient in which Handley shot wide a couple of times, Baker shot high, and Kavanagh hit the side netting. Hawkwell’s attack was well blocked by Selner and Kavanagh had a good shot saved by the Hawkwell keeper.
The final whistle blew and we next faced penalties:
Selner went first and scored.
Lewzey saved Hawkwell’s first.
Handley’s shot was saved.
Lewzey saved Hawkwell’s second.
Kavanagh scored and Orient won Result: 0-0 (Orient won on penalties - Selner, Kavanagh).

In the semi-final we again faced Harlow Town, who kicked off and kept possession. But it was an end-to-end game. Harlow’s first shot was wide of the mark. Kavanagh’s shot was saved by Harlow’s keeper. Lewzey saved Harlow’s next shot. Both sides played equally well outfield, with some shots, great defending but both keepers were equal to the shots. The game ended goalless and we again faced penalties.
Selner missed
Despite Lewzey got a hand to Harlows first penalty shot but was too powerful to save.
Grint then hit the crossbar for Orient.
Harlow struck the upright with theirs.
Kavanagh then hit wide
Result: 0-0 (Orient lost on penalties)
Whilst we didn't go on to win the cup - and we were too good in the group stages to be placed in the plate there were many positives from the tournament. We finished second in the group stages (and probably third overall in the cup). We played seven games and until penalties, six with clean sheets. We only let in one goal in open play. We attacked positively and as a team. We gave away no penalties for non-running offences. Thanks again to Kay for some great notes taken to help with the match report.

Squad -:
Debbie Lewzey (GK/Manager), Sally Jones, Sarah Grint, Andree Selner, Clare Kavanagh, Sam Baker (Captain), Frances Handley, Alison Kay and Chris Williams.

Stanway 0-2 Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient 2-0 Valley Green
Beacon Hill 0-0 Leyton Orient
Harlow Town Pirates 1-0 Leyton Orient
Quarter Final.
Hawkwell 0-0 Leyton Orient (Orient win on penalties).
Semi Final.
Harlow Town 0-0 Leyton Orient (Harlow win on penalties).
Goalscorers-:
Kavanagh 4, Handley, Selner