Leyton Orient Women 2-0 Southend United Ladies: Spenner's saves are not enough

Maizie Kelly had gone round the goalkeeper. Southend were a goal behind, still in a game Caitlin Spenner had worked hard to keep within reach, and here was the chance to make that effort count. Kaylee Shurety cleared Kelly’s shot off the line. Leyton Orient Women survived, then added a second to leave Southend United Ladies with a defeat that cannot be explained by one missed opportunity alone.

Getting to the interval

Nick Sheldrick made four changes from the Enfield defeat for Sunday’s visit to Orient at Cheshunt, restoring Spenner, Katie Burbridge, Isobel Boyd and Abbey Dell. Charlie, who was at the match, explained on this week’s podcast that Spenner came in for the unavailable Molly Lee, and praised her performance. He saw an even, scrappy first half, with half-chances rather than sustained pressure, and felt Southend had done well to reach the break level.

Lauren Johnson blocked former Southend player Lily Aungier, while Abbie Rex stopped Amy Yeldham inside the box. Jodie Murphy replaced Johnson after 33 minutes; Johnson later came back on for Sophie Stack in a return substitution. Boyd and Darcy Drewitt moved Southend forward from midfield, but final passes often went astray. Dell headed Burbridge’s cross at Felicity Tatum and later tested her from 20 yards. Getting up the pitch was one thing; making the goalkeeper uncomfortable was harder.

Orient’s bench decides it

Southend could not clear Erin Cheyne’s corner after the interval. Beth Brogan supplied Samantha Read, who put the hosts ahead.

The arrivals of Aleena Anwar and Tiffany Balfour around the hour gave Southend another problem. Their direct running brought greater pace to Orient’s attacks, and Spenner had to keep answering. She denied Elissa Stonebrook from close range and later kept out a fierce shot from the same player; a Balfour finish was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper. Orient could change the threat from their bench, making it a much busier afternoon for Southend’s defence.

Kelly intercepted a poor pass as Orient tried to play out from the back, then rounded Tatum for the chance Shurety cleared. Charlie recalled the opportunity as a route back into the match; instead, Orient kept looking for a second, and found it. Anwar hit the bar before Balfour’s late shot took a deflection beyond Spenner to settle it. Spenner was still making saves near the end, with the hosts now able to finish the game without the pressure of a one-goal lead.

There was a happier detail in Charlie’s account, too. A young supporter walked out with the players and afterwards received a shirt signed by the team, then posed for a photograph. It was good to hear about that welcome on an afternoon when the football had brought little reward.

Histon next

Southend remain fifth in the Eastern Region Women’s Football League Division One South, with six points from five games. Their three defeats have come against teams still unbeaten: Chelmsford, Enfield and now Orient, who are third with ten points from four.

The team return to Garon Park on Sunday 27 September for a 1.30pm BST tie against Histon in the ERWFL Cup. Histon play in the Premier Division, one division above Southend. Spenner gave Southend the chance to recover at Orient. Against Histon, they will need to give their goalkeeper more help at the other end.

Match details

Leyton Orient Women 2-0 Southend United Ladies (half-time 0-0)

Competition: Eastern Region Women’s Football League Division One South
Venue: Cheshunt FC, Theobalds Lane, Cheshunt
Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
Goals: Samantha Read (54), Tiffany Balfour (85). Goal timings follow Southend’s report.

Southend United Ladies: Caitlin Spenner, Georgia Hyland, Abbie Rex, Katie Burbridge, Sophie Stack, Hannah Warner, Abbey Dell, Lauren Johnson, Zoe Tryfonos, Isobel Boyd, Darcy Drewitt.

Substitutions: Jodie Murphy for Johnson (33); Reyes Humbles for Hyland (46); Johnson for Stack (55); Maizie Kelly for Boyd (59); Morgan Fletcher for Warner (73); Hyland for Rex (77); Stack for Burbridge (83); Boyd for Dell (87). Johnson, Hyland, Stack and Boyd returned after being substituted earlier. Unused: Maddie Rush.