Another Level

August 2019

Championship – Blackpool v Orient (Away)

The hosts take charge in this first Championship match, creating chances at will it would seem, as we resort to attempting counter-attacks.

A shot from well outside the area strikes the post and falls to Omoijuanfo, but he is flagged offside as he tucks it away. 0-0 at Half-Time.

Blackpool continue their good play in the 2nd-Half and take the lead on 53 minutes via a simple finish. Ojamaa side-steps a defender on his way to scoring our equaliser after 77 minutes. A nice way to remember his 100th League appearance.

Our new GK spills a lofted ball right onto the head of a Blackpool forward to see a point slip away from us late-on.

Final Score: Blackpool 2-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Cup, 1st Round – Oxford v Orient (Away)

Terrific start with Joel Ambalu latching on to a ball flighted from defence and slotting goalwards inside 3 minutes.

Supplier Bruno Chauvin turns scorer 15 minutes in, sliding to meet a cutback from Ambalu. He is then injured and subsequently replaced (Broken Nose – out for about a week).

Some sloppy defending allows Oxford to pull a goal back after 30 minutes – all too easy. We hit back straight away as Ambalu scores his 2nd from the resulting kickoff.

A Red-Card was flashed to an Oxford striker just before Half-Time – so we enter the break a man and 2 goals up.

Oxford emerge determined to compete and hold us to the 2-goal lead we had at the break.

Final Score: Oxford 1-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

2nd Round draws us against Premier League outfit, and my favourite team – Wolves.

Championship – Orient v Leicester (Home)

The visitors are denied a spectacular opener by the crossbar before we even have time to work up a sweat. 20 minutes in, the crossbar again comes to our rescue.

Ambalu scores a real poacher’s effort as we trek down the other end. Jimmy Smith pops up with a fine header at the near-post to make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark.

Ojamaa times his run perfectly to remain onside and tuck away a chance just as the 2nd-Half begins. A potential Clean-Sheet is sullied by a good strike from Leicester’s Goodwillie – a chance afforded to him via a defensive lapse.

An Own-Goal with much of the game played makes it 4-1 in our favour. A nice way to reward our Home support as we make our way up the Football League.

Final Score: Orient 4-1 Leicester (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Championship – Everton v Orient (Away)

A disastrous Own-Goal inside 10 minutes has us behind. We then ship another goal after 30 minutes as a ball in behind to the back-post catches us unaware.

Caught too square at the back as the 2nd-Half begins to allow a 1-on-1 that is duly punished. 3-0 down now.

Luke Williams scores a late consolation effort after a good run down the left flank, but it does little to disguise a poor performance.

Final Score: Everton 3-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Championship – Orient v Watford (Home)

A Free-Kick on the edge of the box finds the head of defender Gasparotto to give us the lead after 25 minutes. The big centre-half has another chance cleared off the line twice, just before Half-Time.

Despite out-shooting our visitors 14 to 5, Watford make a late effort count, drawing level just before the Final whistle.

Final Score: Orient 1-1 Watford (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Cup, 2nd Round – Wolves v Orient (Away)

A goal from a corner just 4 minutes in gives us an unlikely lead. It doesn’t last long, as Wolves equalise after 20 minutes, theirs also from a corner.

Not a minute into the 2nd-Half and Wolves take the lead, a sliding effort at the near-post.

We were completely out-played as expected, and concentration on our Championship survival campaign can continue.

Final Score: Wolves 2-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Championship – Peterborough v Orient (Away)

Ambalu streaks away to net our opener after 12 minutes. Luke Williams tucks away a first-time effort another 10 minutes later to make it 2-0

The rest of the match flies by with a few chances for both sides, but no change to the score.

Final Score: Peterborough 0-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the League Table as it stands at the end of August. Overall, not a bad start to our campaign for survival.

Summer Signings

Below is a list of my Summer Signings leading into our campaign in the Championship 2019/20.

Zander Clark (GK), 26 years old,  Free Transfer (Out of Contract)

Robert Bennett (DR/L), 23 years old, Free Transfer (Out of Contract)

Bruno Chauvin (AMC), 17 years old, Loan signing from Tottenham

Luka Santini (MR/AMR), 21 years old, Loan signing from Bristol City

Luka Cubrilo (DC), 21 years old, Loan signing from Norwich

Stanislav Szanto (GK), 19 years old, Free Transfer (Out of Contract)

Kenny Nicholas (DR), 18 years old, Loan signing from Birmingham

First Past the Post

April 2019

 

League 1 – Tranmere v Orient (Away)

Jimmy Ryan scythes through the rain and sees his shot nestle in the net, 5 minutes in. A wicked deflection leads to Tranmere’s equaliser midway through the 1st stanza.

The Home side almost go ahead but the post thwarts them and saves us.

A Free-Kick just as the 2nd-Half starts results in our 2nd goal, an accurate header from Gasparotto. Scores are leveled again after 60 minutes; poor marking costing us dearly.

A sliding effort at the back post by Omoijuanfo coming up to 70 minutes gives us the lead for a 3rd time. Instructions were sent out to relax a little and concentrate on defending our goal to see the match out.

A really tough match and we have done well to get 3 points out of it.

Final Score: Tranmere 2-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Rochdale (Home)

We withstand some early pressure from the visitors, before a lovely Free-Kick gives us the advantage 25 minutes in. Patient buildup leads to a chance at the near-post for Joel Ambalu, which he buries to make it 2-0.

Rochdale claw one back with 75 minutes gone to make a real game of it again. A nervy finish, but we see it out for an important 3 points in the Title Race.

Final Score: Orient 2-1 Rochdale (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – MK Dons v Orient (Away)

With just 1 point separating our teams atop the table, this match could very well decide the destination of the League 1 Title.

An end-to-end start, with MK Dons hitting the bar to go closest early on.

A straight Red-card is shown to a Dons midfielder just before Half-Time to give us a numerical advantage, if not one on the scoreboard. 0-0.

Some great passing play leads to a chance in the 2nd-Half for Jimmy Ryan who finishes with power. A wonderful save from a long-range effort keeps our Clean-Sheet, but the Dons equalise soon after.

Despite being a man down it’s the Home side looking the more capable of getting a winner here. A Free-Kick of ours beats everything but the woodwork, much to my frustration.

Ambalu turns on a dime, and fires in from just inside the box with just minutes left. 2-1 now.

A grinding win, and it could be so crucial come season’s end. With this result, we have mathematically secured Promotion – now to win the League outright!

Final Score: MK Dons 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Crewe (Home)

An even start, both sides unafraid to shoot when in-range. A corner and headed effort put Crewe in-front just before the break.

Ambalu must have been listening during the Half-Time talk, as he finds our equaliser within a minute of the restart. After a midfield battle throughout, Luke Williams scores a fine goal late on to give us a largely undeserved lead, and the 3 points to go with it.

Final Score: Orient 2-1 Crewe (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Crystal Palace v Orient (Away)

After a fairly bland beginning, our Left-back Lee Molyneux scores a nice Free-Kick to open the scoring on 24 minutes.

Jim Mernagh darts past a few defenders, opening up space for a shot and goal 37 minutes in. The youngster is denied a second by the crossbar just a few minutes later.

Palace waste no time in the 2nd-Half, bringing the deficit back to just 1 within a few minutes. We go on the defend well and hang on to claim maximum points.

Final Score: Crystal Palace 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Swindon (Home)

A point here would wrap up the title in-front of our Home fans.

But Swindon come to spoil the party, scoring first on 5 minutes. A lovely cross is then controlled by Jimmy Smith, who controls well and scores our equaliser 25 minutes in.

Swindon regain the lead after a spell of heavy pressure on 72 minutes. To be fair, Swindon were all over us and deserved the win.

With MK Dons drawing their match, we have officially been crowned Champions of League 1 for the season!

Final Score: Orient 1-2 Swindon (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Bury v Orient (Away)

An injury to Left-back Ben Davies forces me into an early change. We go on to create a few nice chances, but are finding it difficult to score.

Bury draw first blood, a looping header crossing the line just before Half-Time.

The 2nd-Half was more of the same, plenty of chances created but none of them even on-target.

Final Score: Bury 1-0 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the League table after all was said and done. A great effort by the whole squad to claim top spot and promotion to the Championship.

The 25-match unbeaten run through the campaign was surely the catalyst for this success, and hopefully gives us a strong platform to build on for the future.

Awards

I was named League 1 Manager of the Year, Left-winger Franklin Omoijuanfo took out League 1 Player of the Year, and both he and Centre-back Scott Cuthbert were named in the Player’s Team of the Year.

Onward We March

March 2019

League 1 – Orient v Coventry (Home)

Could not have wished for a worse start as we concede inside the 1st minute of play. Awful defence.

Iain Black gets us back square with a lovely Free-Kick, 5 minutes gone. Ojamaa has a nice effort turned away by a great save on 20 minutes.

Later in the match, Gasparotto receives his 2nd Yellow Card of the match to leave us with 10 men.

Another draw, but I can’t say we deserved anything more from this display.

Final Score: Orient 1-1 Coventry (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Plymouth Argyle v Orient (Away)

The Home-Side have us under the pump from the off. We somehow draw first-blood via a counter-attack 10 minutes in. Plymouth equalise soon after, and then take the lead after 20 minutes.

Jimmy Smith nets our own equaliser just before the break. 5 minutes into the 2nd-Half, Plymouth regain the lead with a neat chip over our GK.

Mernagh brings us level again on 55 minutes with an accurate finish, before Williams sees a shot rebound back off the post deeper into the match.

Plymouth take advantage of a lucky deflection to score their 4th and take a late lead. This would be our 1st loss in the League in the last 25 matches, but it had been coming. All the draws lately would eventually result in a loss.

Final Score: Plymouth Argyle 4-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Barnet (Home)

We strike the post 8 minutes in, but then take the lead as Iain Black latches on to a fizzing cross at the 6 yard box. Gasparotto makes it 2-0 from a 27th minute corner.

Another cross from the right flank is turned goalwards this time by Ambalu. A good 1st-Half for us.

75 minutes in and Gasparotto pops up again at a corner to make it 4-0. Just before Full-Time, the Right-flanker who laid on the first 2 goals gets his own name on the score sheet to wrap this one up well and truly.

Final Score: Orient 5-0 Barnet (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Doncaster v Orient (Away)

A sublime ball in from the right edge allows Luke Williams to slide in and steer the ball home on 3 minutes. Both teams creating chances here, but we enter the break with our 1-goal lead.

The hosts see a fierce shot rebound off the post and back into play midway through the 2nd-Half. The danger-man from corners, Gasparotto makes it 2-0, 70 minutes in.

Jimmy Smith rises to meet a lovely cross. 3-0 now with 10 minutes left. A late penalty conceded and then converted puts paid to my hopes of a clean-sheet.

Final Score: Doncaster 1-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Assist-King

Left-winder Franklin Omoijuanfo has now set a new club-record for assists with 18, still with 9 matches to play.

League 1 – Orient v Torquay (Home)

An even start, each team passing the ball well but unable to find the net. Omoijuanfo slides a superb through-ball into the path of Ojamaa with just the ‘keeper to beat, but he slides his shot just wide.

Luke Williams reacts quickest to a spilled save to tuck the ball home on 30 minutes.

Early in the 2nd-Half Ojamaa increases our lead as he deftly nods home from 6 yards. Torquay pull a goal back from the restart, 2-1 now.

Rob Nash lurks outside the 18-yard box at a corner and is rewarded with a bobbling clearance and a cracking goal; 3-1. He then has to be replaced due to injury. All in all, a comfortable win.

Final Score: Orient 3-1 Torquay (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Gillingham v Orient (Away)

Tetchy opening away from home, and a botched save results in us conceding an Own-Goal 15 minutes in. Gillingham clear the ball off their line to deny us our own dodgy goal with 30 minutes on the clock.

Gillingham looking increasingly dangerous and the high pressure tells with their 2nd goal at the 60 minute-mark.

We could never really assert ourselves in this one, and got what we deserved – nothing.

Final Score: Gillingham 2-0 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the League Table as it stands at the end of March. We have secured at least a Playoff Spot.

4-Point February

February 2019

FA Cup, 4th Round – Orient v West Ham (Home)

This is our first Home tie in the cup competition and I am excited by the potential windfall from ticket sales as we face a Premier League opponent.

A terrible sliding challenge within the first 5 minutes gives West Ham a penalty, but it is saved by the woodwork. They don’t let this stop them though, taking the lead a few minutes later, our defence caught way too square.

Hardly have time to catch our breath before the Hammers extend their lead, a long-range effort too good for our Goalkeeper.

A glimmer of hope by way of a straight Red Card to a West Ham player on 30 minutes. That hope has no time to resonate with the visitors making it 3-0 just before Half-Time.

The 2nd-Half doesn’t start any better than the first as West Ham make it 4-0 from the restart. Woeful defending leaving their front-men 1-on-1 every time. Our man stationed on the back post at a corner is the unlucky recipient of an Own Goal, the original shot crashing off him and into the net.

The only good piece of our own play comes late-on via youngster Jim Mernagh. He dances between 3 players and lobs the ‘keeper to net a fine goal, albeit a consolation.

Final Score: Orient 1-5 West Ham (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Wycombe (Home)

A fine start here, Luke Williams opening our scoring in under 10 minutes with a tidy finish. Wycombe equalise in similar fashion, 23 minutes on the clock.

Both teams are creating decent chances, but it remains 1-1 into Half-Time.

The 2nd-Half is again an even affair, with neither team able to make the decisive breakthrough.

Final Score: Orient 1-1 Wycombe (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Wrexham v Orient (Away)

A hard-fought start in this match, the first goal coming after 23 minutes for Wrexham despite 3 of their players being in offside positions. We don’t let this poor decision affect us too much, equalising just before the break as Scott Cuthbert guides the ball into the goal with his bonce.

The less said about the 2nd-Half the better. A dour showing from both teams as it looked like nobody wanted to win.

Final Score: Wrexham 1-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Nottingham Forest v Orient (Away)

Both teams start well, looking to create chances with Forest probably having the better of a fairly even First-Half.

Ojamaa forces a good save from Forest’s GK early in the 2nd-Half; scores still locked at 0-0.

With just 5 minutes left to play Forest take the lead, a perfect pass leaving their front-man to finish easily. Ojamaa tees himself up with a glorious chance but misses just wide.

Summer-signing at Centre-back, Doug Miller smashes home a corner in Injury Time to rescue a point and continue our unbeaten run in the League. Incidentally, this was his 1st career League goal for Orient, and what an important one it is.

Final Score: Notts Forest 1-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Colchester (Home)

We have a busy 1st-Half, retaining possession but unable to trouble the scorers.

Into the 2nd-Half and a penalty is awarded to us about 55 minutes in; coolly converted by Mernagh. Colchester get their equaliser on 70 minutes, a poorly defended corner being punished for maximum pain.

Final Score: Orient 1-1 Colchester (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

With all 4 of our League matches ending in draws, the gap between us and the teams below has dwindled.

Win Streak Halted

January 2019

 

League 1 – Orient v Exeter (Home)

A scintillating start with some fine one-touch play leading to our opener after just 25 seconds. Luke Williams the scorer. Soon after, Exeter equalise from long-range.

From the resulting kick-off, Left-winger Omoijuanfo cuts inside and sends Williams clean through on goal to make it 2-1. Ojamaa has a shot saved well 30 minutes in, before the man Omoijuanfo pounces on a rebound 10 minutes from the break to net our 3rd.

We continue to carve out chances in the 2nd-Half, but it is Exeter who score from a corner to bring the deficit back to just 1.

Final Score: Orient 3-2 Exeter (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Barnsley (Home)

Jimmy Smith opens our account 20 minutes in, meeting a Free Kick with his head. Luke Williams is denied a goal by a good save, 40 minutes on the clock.

Defender Scott Cuthbert rises highest to nod home a corner just before the break. 2-0, but far from an easy opening 45 minutes.

Barnsley look to come more into the match in the 2nd-Half, and offside flag all that keeps our clean sheet safe in the last 10 minutes. A tight match overall, but we did well to take our chances when they came.

Final Score: Orient 2-0 Barnsley (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Oxford v Orient (Away)

A nervy start with Oxford creating all the chances. Our first opportunity falls to an in-form Luke Williams but he drives his shot directly at Oxford’s custodian.

A balanced 1st-Half ends at 0-0, but we are starting to look more fluid.

It is Oxford who break the deadlock early in the 2nd-Half, a corner leading to the goal that puts our winning run under jeopardy. If that wasn’t enough, they score again a few minutes later and we are in real strife.

Attacking directives are sent out to the players and they duly respond. Ojamaa pulling one back for us on 60 minutes, and then equalising with 73 minutes on the clock with a tidy finish.

We were unable to find the winning goal for the first time in the last 11 matches, but our unbeaten run is still alive.

Final Score: Oxford 2-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

FA Cup, 3rd Round – Hereford v Orient (Away)

A nice early goal from Midfielder Iain Black gets us away to a good start here. Luke Williams doubles our lead a few minutes later, sliding the ball underneath a diving ‘keeper.

Cuthbert looks to have made it 3, but his thumping header bounces back off the crossbar at the 20-minute mark.

6 minutes into the 2nd-Half, Williams does net our 3rd, finishing with style to notch up his 2nd of the match. The woodwork comes to our rescue 60 minutes in as Hereford somehow miss from point-blank range.

A nice performance away from home and we advance to the 4th Round of the FA Cup, where we will host Premier League high-flyers West Ham.

Final Score: Hereford 0-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Portsmouth v Orient (Away)

Not the best start for us as Pompey score inside 5 minutes. Soon after, Jimmy Smith does well to direct his headed-effort goal-wards but the crossbar is the unintended target.

Portsmouth are looking strong here and take their 1-goal lead into the break.

A stern Half-Time talk looks to have worked as we draw level within the first 10 minutes of the 2nd-Half. Jim Mernagh with the goal in his 1st match back from injury.

Portsmouth later miss a golden chance to regain the lead, but their onrushing striker blazes well over. A tough match and the draw probably fitting for both sides.

Final Score: Portsmouth 1-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Southend (Home)

Luke Williams shoots just wide after a mazy run from inside our own half early on. Southend go down the other end to see their first shot bounce back off the post. A very open, attacking match looks set to start.

Omoijuanfo draws first blood, leaving defenders in his wake and finishing calmly 20 minutes in. Williams pounces on a defensive error to extend the lead a few minutes later. Starting to dominate now.

Williams again scores, just before Half-Time as he finishes off a move that he started. 3-0.

Scott Cuthbert is left unmarked at a Free-Kick and punishes Southend by finishing with a nice volley, 75 minutes gone.

Final Score: Orient 4-0 Southend (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Hartlepool v Orient (Away)

A very quiet 1st-Half ends 0-0; Hartlepool with the bulk of possession and chances.

Midfielder Nash fires a rasping shot off the crossbar 10 minutes into the 2nd-Half to fire us into life. We go on to dominate the rest of the match, but just can’t make the telling contribution. No complaints with the draw though, especially considering the amount of times Hartlepool stretched us in defence.

Final Score: Hartlepool 0-0 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the League Table as it stands at the end of January.

Christmas Cheer

December 2018

FA Cup, 2nd Round – Eastbourne Boro v Orient (Away)

After a bit of early back and forth, we take the lead from a 22nd minute corner; headed in by Cuthbert. Another corner just before Half-Time has the same result, again Cuthbert too strong in the air.

The 2nd-Half was full of more chances, but no change to the score.

Final Score: Eastbourne Boro 0-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

For the 3rd Round, we have drawn Hereford.

League 1 – Orient v MK Dons (Home)

A “Top of the Table” clash here, and one that I have been looking forward to for some weeks.

An early chance falls for Mernagh, but he screws his shot across the face of goal. A nervy 1st-Half ends as it began; 0-0. Good buildup play without the final touch.

An Own-Goal on 56 minutes gives us the lead. MK Dons equalise from a corner 5 minutes later. The deadlock is broken again soon after as Mernagh scores a powerful effort.
He pops up again in Injury Time to settle the nerves and end a cracking match with 3 points.

Final Score: Orient 3-1 MK Dons (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Crewe v Orient (Away)

Jim Mernagh gets us off to a great start with the opener on 7 minutes. The rest of the 1st-Half is fairly quiet, and no further addition to the scoreboard.

Crewe equalise on 60 minutes from a corner. Luke Williams attempts to issue a swift reply, but sees his strike carom back off the post inside the last 20 minutes.

Mernagh continues his rich vein of form as he bags his 2nd of the match after 82 minutes to regain the lead. A tough match, but we come through it with another 3 points.

Final Score: Crewe 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Crystal Palace (Home)

Jimmy Ryan scores a powerful effort to open our account after 8 minutes. Joel Ambalu makes it 2 with a cute chip 27 minutes into the match.

Palace get one back soon after, a precise through-ball creating a 1-on-1. Ambalu slides in to score his 2nd just a few minutes later.

We concede a penalty right on Half-Time; 3-2 now. Ambalu answers back straight away again, completing his hat-trick inside 45 minutes.
Cuthbert gets the 2nd-Half off to a bright start, heading home from a 53rd minute corner to extend our lead. Ambalu ghosts in at the far-post to meet a cross and notch up his 4th of the match. He is denied a 5th by a reflex save on 75 minutes.

With this result, we have set a new Club record for unbeaten matches at 15.

Final Score: Orient 6-2 Crystal Palace (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Swindon v Orient (Away)

Swindon start the better in front of their Home fans, but neither team is able to trouble the scorers in the opening Half. 0-0 at Half-Time.

Jimmy Ryan breaks the deadlock 63 minutes in, nodding home a corner. Ambalu keeps a cool head to finish his chance with the clock running down.

A penalty is awarded to the Home side in Injury Time and it is converted, but too late to cause us any real concern. We didn’t play our best here, but got the result. Some would say this is the sign of a good team, and I should hope they are right.
Final Score: Swindon 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Bury (Home)

A great start with Ojamaa jinking around the ‘keeper and passing the ball into the net 4 minutes in. Jimmy Smith fires through an army of defenders and into the goal for our 2nd on 38 minutes. Ojamaa nets his 2nd just before the break. We are well in control here.

We continue to set the tempo of the match in the 2nd-Half, and Ambalu sends a shot crashing into the crossbar late-on but no further addition to the score.

Final Score: Orient 3-0 Bury (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the League 1 table as it stands at the start of January 2019.

November Reign

November 2018

League 1 – Orient v Gillingham (Home)

We dominated this one from the off, but it takes us 30 minutes to take the lead via Luke Williams. A few minutes later, Jimmy Smith doubles our lead; winning an aerial challenge and nodding home.

A potential 3rd goal for us just before Half-Time is ruled-out for offside, though replays suggest it was a poor decision by the officials.

Continue to create chances in the 2nd-Half, Ambalu striking the post with 65 minutes on the clock. Gillingham go on to pull a goal back 5 minutes later and a solid game is looking more fragile.

Cuthbert eventually eases collective minds with his header just before Full-Time.

Final Score: Orient 3-1 Gillingham (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Rochdale v Orient (Away)

A smothering save at the feet of Scott Cuthbert prevents us from taking the lead 20 minutes in. Ojamaa breaks the deadlock soon after, slotting home as Rochdale’s ‘keeper parries an earlier shot.

Luke Williams was forced to leave the field with an injury, Joel Ambalu his direct replacement up-front.

An Own-Goal 10 minutes into the 2nd-Half increases the buffer to 2. Late on, Cuthbert wastes a free header at the far post – way over the bar. As time ticks into that which has been “Added-On”, Rochdale claw one back.

We do enough to secure the points away from Home, even if our performance wasn’t all that convincing.

Final Score: Rochdale 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, South Quarter Final – Luton v Orient (Away)

Ambalu nets for us 14 minutes into this tie. This comes before a very tight 1st-Half, neither team able to gain the ascendency.

Luton look to have equalised early in the 2nd-Half, but for an offside flag. A cracking strike from Jim Mernagh rifles off the bar to deny us a 2nd goal on 50 minutes. Luton do equalise soon after from a corner.

We keep wasting half-chances as the match wears on. Ambalu celebrates his 2nd after 75 minutes, but is rudely interrupted by the Assistant and his offside flag.

The scores finish level after 90 minutes, and with no Extra-Time we move straight to penalties.

Both sides score their first 2 efforts, but our own Sidebottom blasts his kick well over. That was all the motivation Luton needed as they score their remaining 2 penalties to send us out of the competition.

Final Score: Luton 1-1 Orient (Luton win 5-4 on penalties)

(screenshot below; click to enlarge)

FA Cup, 1st Round – Kettering v Orient (Away)

A good counter-attack early on results in our opening goal, a bobbling cross turned in by Omoijuanfo. Kettering then equalise, an incisive breakaway and finish.

A penalty is awarded to us 29 minutes in, calmly put away by young striker Mernagh to restore our lead. Our 3rd goal comes via midfielder Nash in his first match back from suspension.

Young flanker Sidebottom scores his very first goal for Orient early in the 2nd-Half to bring the score to 4-1. At the 65 minute-mark Ojamaa pounces on a deflected save to notch up our 5th.

10 minutes from time, Kettering score their 2nd, a scorcher from distance. Overall, a solid hit-out and through to Round 2 of the Cup.

Final Score: Kettering 2-5 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

We have drawn Blue Square Premier side Eastbourne Boro for the 2nd Round.

League 1 – Orient v Tranmere (Home)

A good start, scoring within 5 minutes care of a deflection. Mernagh later streaks away, ignoring support inside him but slotting home past an onrushing ‘keeper. 2-0. He nips in again with 30 minutes on the clock, beating the ‘keeper to the ball and rounding him before nestling the ball in the gaping net.

Omoijuanfo beats the hapless GK in the 64th minute, but does not beat the crossbar. Mernagh then completed his hat-trick, tucking away his own rebounded shot from close-range. A quality display from the entire team.

Final Score: Orient 4-0 Tranmere (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the League as it stands at the end of November

Hot and Cold

October 2018

League 1 – Coventry v Orient (Away)

A fast start here, pressing forward from the kickoff and scoring with a headed effort. Coventry equalise in short-order, scoring from the next restart.

We have a goal ruled-out for offside midway through the First Half, and the sides enter the change rooms as they began – drawn.

A free-flowing 2nd Half provides chances for both teams. Deep into Injury Time a cross to the back stick is nodded wide by Coventry’s striker, with the goal at his mercy.

While both goals were scored in the first 5 minutes, the match provided entertainment throughout.

Final Score: Coventry 1-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, South 2nd Round – Brentford v Orient (Away)

A nervy start sees Brentford hit the post inside 3 minutes. We go ahead on 12 minutes as Left-flanker Molyneux slides in to meet a cross.

Brentford equalise soon after, a nice finish from a tight angle. Half-Time, score at 1-1.

Brentford again are denied by the post on 65 minutes luckily for us. 85 minutes in, and Jack Baldwin flies into the box to steer home from 6 yards. A tight match and one we are glad to come away with a pass to the next round of competition.

Final Score: Brentford 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

We have been drawn against League 2 outfit Luton for the South Quarter-Final.

League 1 – Barnet v Orient (Away)

We controlled the 1st-Half well, creating a few nice chances while restricting the Home side for large portions. The pressure applied results in us being the lucky recipients of an Own-Goal just before the break.

Another Own-Goal early in the 2nd-Half extends our lead. The first goal via one of our on players comes om 78 minutes, newly-subbed Jim Mernagh striking into the top corner.

Final Score: Barnet 0-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Plymouth (Home)

This match sees the return of previously injured duo Henrik Ojamaa and Franklin Omoijuanfo.

Not the start we were aiming for, going behind after 12 minutes. Right Full-back Tavernier guides his header into the net 5 minutes later for our equaliser. We then have a goal ruled-out for a foul.

Jimmy Smith tucks home his 50th Orient League-goal just before Half-Time to give us the lead. Centre-back Cuthbert then rises well to meet a Free Kick and chalk up our 3rd. Half-Time and we are up 3-1.

We continued to carve out chances in the 2nd-Half, Ojamaa hitting the crossbar on one occasion.

Overall a good result, and a quality return for Left-winger Omoijuanfo as he provided 2 assists.

Final Score: Orient 3-1 Plymouth (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Doncaster (Home)

Another horrendous start at Home, behind after 4 minutes as a corner is powered into the goal. Ojamaa answers for us on 12 minutes with the equaliser, his 25th League-goal for us.

An Own-Goal just before Half-Time gives us the lead.

65 minutes in and Ojamaa nets his 2nd goal, a powerful volley. Later on, a delightful low-cross from the left leaves Luke Williams with a simple tap-in.

Final Score: Orient 4-1 Doncaster (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Torquay v Orient (Away)

We are beginning matches poorly of late and we again concede in under 10 minutes here. Down by 2 with just 12 minutes played; truly awful.

A few minutes later, a straight-Red card is shown to midfielder Nash to put us not only behind on the scoreboard, but on the team sheet as well. A horrible challenge, and we can have no complaints.

Ojamaa is in the right place to claw one back for us, just before my Half-Time spray. But that doesn’t come before Torquay restore their 2-goal lead. Half-Time and we are facing a massive task, down 1-3 and with 10 men.

I left the team with no doubt I expected a marked improvement in the 2nd Half. As they returned to the pitch, I’m sure my words were left ringing in their ears, and the instruction to “shoot on sight” couldn’t have been clearer.

The wise words may have had an effect, Ambalu steering home early in the 2nd Half to close the gap to 1. Ojamaa capitalises on a defensive mistake to level the scores, 60 minutes gone.

Cuthbert heads in from a corner son after to give our 10-men the lead. Omoijuanfo has a goal ruled-out for offside, however he does manage to get his name on the score-sheet via a direct Free Kick on 76 minutes.

An absolutely stunning turn-around, but we certainly made it difficult for ourselves.

Final Score: Torquay 3-5 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Manager of the Month

Won the October Manager of the Month award, chalking up 4 wins and a draw from the 5 League matches played.

League Table

Below is the League Table as it stands at the end of October

Between Iraq and a Hard Place

September 2018

League 1 – Southend v Orient (Away)

A poor start, conceding in under 5 minutes after getting sliced open by one-touch passing. The post comes to our rescue  minutes later, still a 1-goal mountain to climb.

An offside flag saves us from shipping another goal just before Half Time.

We equalise in the 2nd Half, Summer signing Joel Ambalu racing away to smash the ball home.

To be fair, I am happy with a draw here as Southend had by far the better chances.

Final Score: Southend 1-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, South 1st Round – Orient v Gillingham (Home)

A quality start as we score with our very 1st shot, 48 seconds in. Young winger Thurgood slides in 5 minutes later to bag his 1st ever goal for the club. 2-0 now.

Gillingham get one back from a corner, a powerful headed effort at the 37 minute-mark. Midfielder Nash scores a belter just a few minutes later to restore our 2-goal lead.

The 2nd Half saw us continue to create chances, some of which were ruled out for offside, but no further addition to the scoreline.

Final Score: Orient 3-1 Gillingham (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

We have been drawn against League 2 outfit Brentford for the South 2nd Round of competition.

League 1 – Orient v Hartlepool (Home)

An injury to 1 of our central midfielders 2 minutes into this match forces an early substitution.

Both sides creating half-chances throughout the First 45 minutes but scores remain locked at Nil as the Half-Time whistle sounds.

Some fine passing play leads to our opener, 60 minutes on the clock and scored by Omoijuanfo. This would prove to be all that separates the 2 sides in an edgy encounter.

Final Score: Orient 1-0 Hartlepool (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Wycombe v Orient (Away)

Not a good start, shipping a goal after just 9 minutes. We hit back a few minutes after though, a Free Kick nestling in the top corner.

An Own-Goal midway through the 2nd Half outs us behind again, before a golden chance to equalise for a second time is blasted well over the bar, time quickly running out.

The match ends, and we unfortunately chalk up our first loss in the young League campaign.

Final Score: Wycombe 2-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Colchester v Orient (Away)

A cracking shot from way out gets us ahead on 24 minutes. Despite further efforts, the score doesn’t change as the First Half comes to a close.

A corner 54 minutes in nets our 2nd goal, and Ambalu provides a quality finish for our 3rd.

Final Score: Colchester 0-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

International Friendly – Iraq v North Korea (Home)

A quality headed-goal gets us off the mark on 18 minutes. Despite carving out multiple chances, we allow North Korea to equalise 10 minutes from the Final whistle.

A pretty poor result considering the amount of possession we retained throughout the match.

Final Score: Iraq 1-1 North Korea (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Wrexham (Home)

We begin the match by holding the ball well, but finding it hard to break down the Visitor’s defences. That is until a jinking run down the left and a scything ball inside to Luke Williams leads to our opener on 32 minutes.

Williams pops up again in the 2nd Half to latch onto a lofted through-ball to net his and Orient’s 2nd goal of the match. Wrexham sneak one past us on 66 minutes to ensure we didn’t take the 3 points as a given. They later have a potential equaliser ruled-out as being offside.

Left-back Molyneux eases the Home-crowd’s nerves, expertly steering his shot into the net from a tough angle 5 minutes from Full Time.

Final Score: Orient 3-1 Wrexham (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

International Friendly – Iraq v Vietnam (Home)

A surprisingly even opening to this match, each team creating good chances. Vietnam take the lead though after 13 minutes, a deflection from one of our defenders steering the ball past a hapless GK.

We equalise with 26 minutes gone, a well-worked passing move opening space for striker Ali to finish.

10 minutes into the 2nd Half and Vietnam again take the lead, despite our domination. The pre-match underdogs strike again, this time from a corner after 68 minutes to out the result beyond too much doubt.

Worrying signs before the West Asian Championship tournament.

Final Score: Iraq 1-3 Vietnam (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Cup, 3rd Round – Blackpool v Orient (Away)

A dodgy goal after 13 minutes gives the Home side the advantage – deflections galore as the 6 yard box resembled a pinball machine.

Poor marking from a 24th minute Free Kick results in Blackpool’s 2nd goal.

A quality save from the 2nd Half restart keeps the deficit at just 2. 70 minutes gone, and we pull a goal back – our first effort on target.

Despite the late goal, we never looked to trouble Blackpool all that much and have to bid farewell to our League Cup run.

Final Score: Blackpool 2-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

West Asian Football Championship – Iraq v Syria

We conceded a penalty 18 minutes in – and it is duly dispatched to have us behind from the off. Syria go on to make it 2-0 in their favour just before Half-Time, turning our Centre-back inside-out before slotting away from close in.

We are showing nothing in the way of attack and can barely contain the opposition in defence. Beginning to think about resigning from the Iraqi post.

Striker Ali breaks away clinically in the 83rd minute to score for us; before a stunning strike from outside the box well and truly wraps this one up for Syria with only minutes to play.

Final Score: Iraq 1-3 Syria (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Immediately following this match, I tendered my resignation as Manager of Iraq.

League 1 – Orient v Nottingham Forest (Home)

Another dodgy deflection comes to haunt us, Forest with the lead after 23 minutes. We equalise a few minutes later with a lovely side-foot effort from midfielder Jimmy Smith.

Forest again take the lead, tidy one-time passing unlocking our defence for an easy finish. They score again almost straight from the restart, and we are sinking without trace at Home.

Just to ensure complete embarrassment, Nottingham Forest score yet again 10 minutes from Full Time. A truly awful display from my Orient side, and one I will not look to have repeated.

Final Score: Orient 1-4 Nottingham Forest (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

October holds 5x League matches for us – Away vs. Coventry, Barnet and Torquay; Home against Plymouth and Doncaster.

We also have the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, South 2nd Round match, Away at Brentford.