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