Our walking footballers took a journey across the Thames to take part in the Essex Invitational Tournament at Southend United. Our opponents were representatives of EFL teams Ipswich Town and Leyton Orient and NL play off finalists Southend United.

This was a big challenge for the Angels given that the age bracket was 45+ and we took with us just one from the over 50s and the rest from the over 60s and 70s.

Nevertheless our boys in blue returned to Kent having won the competition.

We started off with three straight wins 1-0, 2-1 and a very impressive 4-1 against the three Southend teams. We then moved on to the more challenging opponents Ipswich Town. This was a close game and in the early stages the speed of the young Suffolk team posed problems. However, once the Angels took control of possession they moved into a 2-0 lead. A complete change from Ipswich at half-time brought on their first team and they quickly got a goal back. However our now renowned possession play responded quickly and Nigel Thomas put us into an unassailable 3-1 lead. 

The final game was against our closest challengers, Leyton Orient who we topped the table from on goal difference alone. They were a well organised team with a younger bias and scored early on. It looked like the Angels were never going to get back into the game but a toe poke from Martin Brindley trickled through the goalkeepers legs bringing the scores level. Once level, our control of possession was superior and as our opponents observed: "how do we ever get the ball off you lot!". The draw was enough to win the trophy on goal difference and we could return to Kent victorious. 

And to top it off Craig Knowles won “Player Of The Day" for his performances throughout the tournament. 

This capped an excellent week for the Angels Walking Footballers winning two trophies. Our next challenge is the National Walking Football qualifying competition on 26th July at YMCA Maidstone.

Pictured are: Back Row (L-R):  Steve Williams, Steve Rice, Rene Lubbock, Glyn Hollands, Mark Cornish, Malcolm Bone. Front Row (L-R):  Nigel Thomas, Craig Knowles, Graham Smith, Martin Brindley

Scorers on the day: Graham Smith 3, Martin Brindley 2, Steve Williams 2, Steve Rice 1, Nigel Thomas 2, Craig Knowles 1

Report from Glyn Hollands