February 2018
FA Cup, 4th Round – Southampton v Orient (Away)
Both teams started cautiously, limited to efforts from long-range for the most part. Southampton take the lead on 22 minutes, a deep corner kick headed back across goal for a simple nod-in from inches out.
The home side’s 2nd comes after 40 minutes, a counter-attack down the left edge producing a cross which is fired home from just inside the penalty area.
Our 2nd Half was a little better, and striker Ojamaa finished off a 1-on-1 chance with style 10 minutes into the new stanza.
Despite attempting to draw level, the Saints wrap things up late on with their 3rd goal.
Final Score: Southampton 3-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Oxford v Orient (Away)
A fairly even 1st half in this match, both teams moving the ball about and creating half-chances, but nothing of any note.
Oxford break the deadlock after 60 minutes, a free header parried into the path of their 2nd striker who calmly finished. In-form striker Ojamaa equalised 4 minutes later, a precise through-ball allowing him to slot past the Oxford ‘keeper.
Freshly introduced substitute and Central midfielder Jack Baldwin finishes a lovely passing sequence to give us the lead on 78 minutes. Ojamaa went on to score his 2nd to secure a fine Away-win with his 84th minute rocket.
Final Score: Oxford 1-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Wycombe v Orient (Away)
An injury to a midfielder 10 minutes into this match forces me into an early substitution. Things don’t get better as a sliding challenge in the box concedes a penalty after 18 minutes. The spot-kick is easily converted.
We create a good chance to draw level just before Half-Time, but the striker blasts high and wide with only the Goalkeeper to beat.
That man Ojamaa eventually gets our equaliser with 68 minutes gone. Some late heroics from Centre-Mid, Rob Nash who picked a great time to score his 1st ever goal. His 87th minute strike would seal another 3 points.
Final Score: Wycombe 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Orient v Barnet (Home)
We really take the game to visiting Barnet, creating decent chances and keeping the ball well. Despite this, the scores remain at 0-0 as the Half-Time whistle is blown.
Finally take the lead 10 minutes into the 2nd Half, a corner nodded home by Centre-back Evans. Striker Williams makes sure of it with a nicely taken goal in Injury Time.
Final Score: Orient 2-0 Barnet (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Orient v Colchester (Home)
Once again, we dominate this one from the start and open the scoring on 22 minutes as Centre-back Cuthbert heads home. The 2nd goal arrives just 5 minutes later after a late run from Left-midfielder Molyneux is rewarded with a fine pass and finish.
The crossbar is all that denies us a 3rd goal just as the 2nd Half begins. Ojamaa does get our 3rd, and the 50th of his league career, but it takes until the dying minutes as Colchester defend a lot better in the latter stages.
Morale is sky high now as we record our 5th straight victory in the league.
Final Score: Orient 3-0 Colchester (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Carlisle v Orient (Away)
Left-winger and recent signing Omoijuanfo gets his Orient goal-tally started with a strike that goes in off the post after 14 minutes. Injury to in-form Centre-Half Cuthbert forces an early substitution. His replacement misses an absolute sitter just before Half-Time with the goal at his mercy.
Our 2nd goal on 62 minutes comes from the other side of the pitch, Right flanker Wickings finishing off a flowing move. Carlisle kept coming though in a performance that belied their standing at the bottom of the League 1 table.
Another solid win from us to end a fantastic month of February; taking a maximum 15 points from the 5 matches.
Final Score: Carlisle 0-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
Manager of the Month
This dream month is capped off by the awarding of League 1 Manager of the Month.
League Table
League 1 Table as it stands (click to enlarge)
Asian Cup Qualifier – Iraq v Hong Kong (Home)
A massive last qualifier, a win ensures our passage to the Asian Cup Finals, anything less could deny us that opportunity.
As hoped, we start brilliantly, pressing high and scoring after just 8 minutes. Left-winger Hassan worked his way into the box on 11 minutes and scores a belter; 2-0.
It’s not long til we score our 3rd, a simple finish from our striker with just 17 minutes on the clock. The 60th minute sees Mostafa Karim score his 2nd of the match, and 40th of his International career.
Hong Kong claw one back, an unlucky deflection falling to their striker on 74 minutes.
A fantastic display of attacking football in front of 33,500 passionate Iraqi fans to earn our spot in the Asian Cup Finals.
Final Score: Iraq 4-1 Hong Kong (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
Next month, Next blog
Another busy month ahead, March holding 7x League matches. Away trips to Preston, Rochdale and Notts County; hosting Portsmouth, Wrexham, Middlesbrough and Gillingham.
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