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.
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