Cheshunt vs Leyton Orient

Antonis Vasiliou opened the scoring for Cheshunt in the 26th minute, putting the hosts ahead before half-time in front of 290 spectators at the Cheshunt Stadium.

Leyton Orient responded after the break. Young forward Zac Hambury levelled in the 51st minute, finishing from close range to make it 1–1 and give the League One side a foothold in the contest.

With the game headed for a draw, Cheshunt won a penalty in the 90th minute. Vasiliou stepped up and converted the spot-kick to complete his brace and hand the Ambers a memorable victory over a side two divisions above them.

The 90th-minute penalty won by Cheshunt and converted by Vasiliou. Until that moment, Leyton Orient looked to have weathered the second-half pressure and seemed content with a 1–1 draw. The spot-kick denied the O's a result they might have felt was the minimum expectation against a non-league opponent.

Antonis Vasiliou (Cheshunt) — Two goals, including the 26th-minute opener and the 90th-minute penalty winner. The forward was the decisive figure on the night and clear player of the match.

Zac Hambury (Leyton Orient) — The young forward scored the equaliser early in the second half, showing composure to finish from inside the area. One of few O's players to emerge with credit.

Cheshunt defence — Held firm for long spells against a League One attack, particularly after Hambury's equaliser, and kept their shape to force the late penalty opportunity.

The provider data shows three goals from 90 minutes, with both teams scoring. The first half ended 1–0 to Cheshunt, the only time the hosts have beaten Leyton Orient in the head-to-head (1 meeting, 1 win). The attendance of 290 reflects the nature of a pre-season friendly at a non-league ground, but the result carries weight: Cheshunt, of the Isthmian League Premier Division (step 3 of the English pyramid), held their own against a League One side for long stretches and found a late winner.

This was Cheshunt's penultimate pre-season friendly before the start of the Isthmian League Premier Division campaign. They host Waltham Abbey in the Cheshunt Community Cup on 25 July before facing Potters Bar Town away on 28 July. Their league season opens at home to Stanway Rovers on 8 August.

For Leyton Orient, this was their third pre-season fixture of the summer after wins over Enfield Town (4–1) and Lincoln City (2–0). The O's face Royal Antwerp on 2 August before their League One season gets underway.

A result that will turn heads in non-league circles. Cheshunt, hosting a club from the division above, matched the physicality and created the decisive moment through their talisman Vasiliou. Leyton Orient, while not at full strength, will be disappointed to have been beaten by a second-half penalty after working their way back into the game. Pre-season form means little when the real business starts, but this is a feather in the cap for James Elliott's side.