March 2018
League 1 – Preston N.E v Orient (Away)
We kept the ball well early on, but the final pass lacked the quality to unlock the Home side’s defence. That is until the 15th minute when a one-two pass works brilliantly, allowing Ojamaa to slot home.
A penalty on 22 minutes extends our lead. We began to really carve Preston open after this, chance after chance created. Ojamaa guilty of a bad miss when put through on goal.
3rd goal comes via a Free Kick and headed effort at the back post, 35 minutes gone. Our 4th was laid on just before Half-Time, a first-time effort from 20 yards.
A hopeful cross into the area results in our 5th goal. Preston eventually break their duck with a consolation goal in the last 10 minutes. This was the first goal allowed by us in over 250 minutes of play.
Final Score: Preston 1-5 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Orient v Portsmouth (Home)
An early cross from deep finds a rising Left-winger, but he guides his effort well over the bar. A good 1-on-1 save denies Ojamaa an opportunity after a brilliant through-ball.
Young midfielder Nash strikes first on 18 minutes, his long-range shooting proving valuable lately. A free-header from a corner just before Half-Time is hit high over the bar by defender Gasparotto. 1-0 at Half-Time, and Pompey yet to have a shot in anger.
That was all to change in the 2nd Half though, as Portsmouth equalise after 60 minutes. A header from a Free-Kick delivery. 5 minutes later, and a rash challenge gifts Pompey a penalty and the lead.
The visitors add their 3rd on 76 minutes and we are left red-faced after dominating this match for large portions.
Final Score: Orient 1-3 Portsmouth (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Rochdale v Orient (Away)
We start well in an even match, creating a few chances while restricting the hosts. Nothing really comes of it, and the teams finish the 1st Half as they started, locked at nil.
A deflection from a 2nd-Half corner nets Rochdale the opener in an increasingly tight affair. We never found an answer to this, and a poor performance adds to the disappointment of defeat, our 2nd on the bounce. Perhaps our run of luck and good fortune is over?
Final Score: Rochdale 1-0 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Orient v Wrexham (Home)
A very ordinary start to this one, allowing visiting Wrexham far too much of the ball, and failing to create much in the way of attack. 0-0 at Half-Time.
Our 2nd Half is no better, failing to put away multiple chances, most of them 1-on-1.
Final Score: Orient 0-0 Wrexham (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Notts County v Orient (Away)
Start out by holding the ball well, but a sliding challenge in the driving rain sees us reduced to 10 men. I sacrificed our 2nd striker in order to keep a 4-man midfield in place. 0-0 at Half-Time.
Despite having 1 less body, we defend well in the 2nd Half and carve out a few decent chances. A direct Free-Kick on 70 minutes is only kept out by the crossbar.
Overall, a decent effort for an Away-point, and we might have even nicked it in the end.
Final Score: Notts County 0-0 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Orient v Middlesbrough (Home)
An early chance in front of our Home fans is steered just wide of the far post. Our goalkeeper goes on the parry a save into the post and can only watch as it trickles back and over the line. 1-0 to the visitors after 17 minutes.
The 2nd Half is dominated by Boro, carving out multiple chances but our last line of defence holds firm. We fail to compete though, and are left to reflect on another disappointing performance and result.
Final Score: Orient 0-1 Middlesbrough (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
League 1 – Orient v Gillingham (Home)
After a mid-week Team Meeting addressing our poor recent form, I was hopeful of a better display here.
We open the scoring 38 minutes in after a pinpoint cross is steered home from close-range. Make it 2-0 just before the half-time whistle with a corner and headed effort.
A penalty is awarded to us as the 2nd Half starts, but regular taker Williams strikes it against the upright. We concede an Own-Goal as Central-defender Gasparotto gets between our ‘keeper and the ball. 2-1.
Gillingham press for an equaliser late on, but desperate scrambling defence from us and poor shooting from the Visitors sees the scoreline remain in our favour.
Final Score: Orient 2-1 Gillingham (screenshot below; click to enlarge)
Next month, Next blog
After only picking up 8 of a possible 21 points on offer in March, I am hoping for a more fruitful April.
5x League matches ahead, Away at Barnsley, Plymouth and Crystal Palace with Home matches against Walsall and Peterborough.
LifeoFManager 