On this day – 16 April

In 1900, the club picked up its third Essex Senior Cup title, defeating Colchester Town 5-1 in the final, played at Ilford. Such was the grandeur of the occasion, extra trains were put on from across the country, and the result was reported as far away as Liverpool. E Russell put Leyton 1-0 up at the break, but in the second half, it was one way traffic, with Russell scoring a second, and Doggett netting a hat-trick. It was apparently “the most pleasantly contested final in the whole history of the Essex Cup”.

In 1910, we made the trip to Reading, who were experiencing financial difficulties and looking to raise £1,000 to keep going (around £120,000 in today’s money). Fundraising ideas weren’t exactly what we’d be used to today, and included an organ recital. That looked more enjoyable than the game itself, which a correspondent from the Reading Observer called “Uninteresting. Excitement is conspicuous only by its absence, and the dullness of the weather appears to have affected the players. Occasionally one or other of the combatants will threaten danger, but more often than not the ball is just bobbed around and perfect “end of the season” football illustrated”. The final score was 0-0.

In 1929 Leyton lost 2-0 to Sutton United, a massive comedown after winning the FA Amateur Cup just a few days before.

Our biggest victory on this date came in 1932, when Redhill were defeated 8-2. However, the result came just a few days after a draw against Wealdstone, which effectively put an end to Leyton’s Athenian League title charge, the club eventually finishing third.

In 1970 and 1973, two cup semi-finals were played. Leyton lost 2-0 to Walthamstow Avenue in the first, in the semi-final of the Essex Thameside Trophy, but then beat Louth United (from Lincoln!) 3-1 in the East Anglian Cup. The final was played over two legs, with Hitchin Town (not really in East Anglia either) winning 3-2 on aggregate.

2001 saw another Thameside Trophy match, this time at the quarter-final stage when Leyton Pennant beat Canvey Island 3-0 – a goal from Cyrill Baffour and two from Jamie Richards secure passing to the semis, where Tilbury would win 2-1 a week later.

In 2011, Waltham Forest were fighting a relegation battle, and made the short trip to Capershotts to take on Waltham Abbey (pictured). It was a real humdinger, but Forest came out on the wrong side of nine goals. Billy Healey brought the score level after Emmanuel Osei put Abbey ahead early on, but by half time it was 5-2 to the home side. Joel Palmer pulled one back just before the half, but Tyler Campbell made it 5-2 Abbey not long after. Josh Bonnett scored quickly and then got another from the spot, but despite Forest’s best efforts, the ten men of Abbey somehow held on. Forest finished bottom that season, but secured enough points in the last month of season to be reprieved on points per game.

Defeats against Thurrock and Clapton followed in 2014 and 2016, but last year Forest beat Tilbury 2-0 in a friendly.

Full history