The Business End

April 2018

League 1 – Barnsley v Orient (Away)

An absolutely disastrous start, with Barnsley scoring within the opening minute. We draw level 15 minutes later with a header from a corner delivery.

The same man heads home for us just before Half-Time – Gasparotto flying in to meet a perfectly flighted Free-Kick.

We continued to create chances in the 2nd Half, and Left-winger Omoijuanfo puts the result beyond doubt, netting our 3rd in Injury Time.

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

League 1 – Plymouth v Orient (Away)

We have a goal ruled out for offside on 16 minutes after a back-and-forth opening. Plymouth go close themselves on a few occasions, and eventually take the lead just before Half-Time.

The 2nd Half is all Plymouth as we struggle to hold them out. Despite trying to find an equaliser a series of missed chances keeps the score at 1-0 in favour of Plymouth.

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

League 1 – Orient v Walsall (Home)

Defensive frailties come to the fore in this one, gifting Walsall the opening goal after just 15 minutes. We soon hit back with the equaliser coming 5 minutes later and via a lovely through-ball.

Midfielder Jimmy Ryan hits an absolute screamer from 30 yards to take the lead in under 30 minutes. Walsall respond in short-order, score at 2-2 as the 1st Half winds up.

A fine save from our Goalkeeper early in the 2nd Half keeps the scores level, and a last-ditch tackle in the box does the same as we hold out from a barrage of attacks.

Ryan misses a glorious chance at the death to seal all 3 points for us, but blazes agonisingly wide of the far post.

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

League 1 – Crystal Palace v Orient (Away)

We move the ball about well early on, keeping the much-fancied Palace on their toes. A defensive blunder almost costs us, with the crossbar coming to our rescue.

Ojamaa breaks a drought of his own, scoring after 35 minutes with a tidy finish.

The home side come out with a far more attacking mind-set in the 2nd Half and our defence does well to keep them at bay for the most part. Left-winger Omoijuanfo buries a chance as it falls to him on 75 minutes to extend our lead and ease my mind, if only slightly.

85 minute-mark, and breaking away from a corner, Palace claw one back to set pulses racing again. Despite the late scare, we hold on for a quality Away-win.

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

League 1 – Orient v Peterborough (Home)

Almost a perfect start, with young striker Featherstone having a chance inside 2 minutes. He does score his first Senior goal on 5 minutes, side-footing beautifully past Peterborough’s ‘keeper.

21 minutes in, and a deflection guides the ball past our GK for Peterborough’s equaliser. A wayward pass then falls kindly for Ojamaa at the 30 minute-mark, but his 1st-time shot is squeezed just wide.

Youngster Featherstone succumbed to injury soon after, and had to be replaced. Peterborough take the lead on 40 minutes, a strike from an unlikely angle beating our custodian all ends up.

The visitors strike again just as the 2nd Half starts, another long-range bullet. A penalty right on Full-Time adds further insult to injury, and Peterborough are rightfully placed atop the League Table.

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

 

League 1 – Exeter v Orient (Away)

The final game of the regular season, and a pivitol one for both sides. Exeter could be relegated if they lose and other results go against them. Our playoff berth is dependent on a win, or at least a draw with luck on our side at other fixtures.

A fairly even start to the game, with both teams cautious about leaving themselves exposed at the back. 0-0 at Half Time.

Same again for the 2nd Half, Ojamaa blazing well over with just the ‘keeper to beat. He makes amends though with 5 minutes to play as he scores. Ojamaa goes on to add his 2nd of the match, deep into Injury Time to ensure 3 points and a playoff place for us.

Despite the loss, Exeter will remain in League 1 next season at the expense of Notts County, Carlisle, Middlesbrough and Preston.

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

 

Next month, Next blog

The League 1 playoffs begin and we have a tough job against Portsmouth over 2 Legs.

The 1st Leg is at Fratton Park, so I am hoping for a good showing that will allow us to take the game to them in-front of our Home crowd in the 2nd Leg.

Marching On

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.

 

February Stars

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.

Tales of the Orient

January 2018

 

Asian Cup Qualifier – Iraq v Tajikistan (Home)

We dominated possession from the outset in front of a home crowd, but weren’t creating any solid chances. Finally take a deserved lead on 57 minutes, young striker Ali finishing off some one-touch play.

We kept creating chances as the 2nd Half continued and were rewarded with our 2nd goal just before Full-Time.
Final Score: Iraq 2-0 Tajikistan (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

Orient Express

League 1 side Leyton Orient approach me, and I accepted the position. So begins the next stop on my Career.

 

League 1 – Orient v Torquay (Home)

The new side gets away to a decent start, creating a few early chances. This was an opportunity for the players to show me what they had to offer.

A fairly even 1st half finishes 0-0.

Torquay almost take the lead midway through the 2nd Half but luckily the shot fizzes outside the post. Not a terrible result, but it’s obvious to me that this squad I have inherited requires more depth across the board in order to improve.

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

 

League 1 – Sheff. Utd. v Orient (Away)

The ‘Blades’ were asserting their authority early on, and score the game’s opening goal after just 13 minutes. They go ahead and double their lead 15 minutes later, some poor marking allowing them an easy chance.

A 3rd goal for the Home side comes just before Half-Time with a hint of Offside about it.

A great save from Sheffield United’s Goalkeeper turns away our first decent chance early in the 2nd Half. We finally trouble the scorers after 58 minutes, a late run into the box rewarded with a low cross for a sliding finish.

Midfielder Jimmy Ryan fairly blasts his long-range effort past a diving ‘keeper as we attempt to make a late challenge. A breakaway with 10 minutes remaining dampened our hopes of such a return as United restore the deficit to 2.

Jimmy Smith scores his 2nd of the match, guiding a corner home with his head but it was a case of too little, too late.

I was well pleased with the efforts in the 2nd Half, but a shocking start robbed us of the chance to come away with some reward.

Final Score: Sheff. Utd. 4-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

FA Cup 3rd Round – Orient v Middlesbrough (Home)

We start this match as we finished the last, and open the scoring on 18 minutes after an incisive counter-attack. Boro draw level 10 minutes later with a top strike from the edge of the box.

The visitors then go on and take the lead in the 2nd Half after carving our back line wide open. We keep searching for an equaliser but a series of great saves and poor efforts on goal deny us.

A breakthrough on 83 minutes as striker Ojamaa scores his 2nd. And so as the Final Whistle sounds, this tie is headed for a replay in a week’s time.

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

 

Asian Cup Qualifier – Bahrain v Iraq (Away)

Qualifying Group leaders Bahrain started the stronger in this match, dominating possession and attempts at goal. We finish the half a bit better, denied by the crossbar and firing a Free Kick just over. 0-0 at Half-Time.

Bahrain looking dangerous in the 2nd Half as they continue to pass the ball around accurately. A goal comes on 54 minutes as we fail to clear the ball from our danger-area.

A great chance for us goes begging as a 1-on-1 chance is fired well over the bar. Bahrain denied a goal after 75 minutes only by the Assistant’s Offside flag, but no such fortune favoured us at the 83 minute-mark as a low shot is fired in from outside the area.

Final Score: Bahrain 2-0 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

League 1 – Nottingham Forest v Orient (Away)

A fairly even start to the match, with neither team really able to break through. That was until the 26th minute when Forest finish a corner to take the lead.

A defensive mixup gifts Nottingham their 2nd goal with 60 minutes gone. This was a rather dull match, and to be fair we never looked like troubling the Home side. A disappointing performance all around.

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

 

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

Boro were reduced to 10 men early on as a late challenge results in a straight-red card after just 3 minutes. A corner on 11 minutes leads to our opener, the original shot cleared off the line but only as far as our striker Ojamaa 6 yards out for the tap-in.

Centre-back Cuthbert doubles the lead on the 25 minute-mark, meeting a Free Kick delivered to the back post and nodding home well. Middlesbrough look to press higher up as the 2nd Half starts, firing a few shots on goal in the process.

Our lead becomes 3 as Ojamaa crosses low and hard across the face of goal for his strike-partner Gardner to finish, 58 minutes on the clock. Boro cop their 2nd Red card after 71 minutes, an ugly 2-footed effort leaving the Referee with no choice.

Even though we played against 10 and eventually 9 men I thought we looked more confident and comfortable on the ball. A solid performance across the board.

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

 

League 1 – Orient v Hartlepool (Home)

A cracking start to this one, we take the lead with our first shot after just 4 minutes. Some nice, fluid build-up play.

Possession evens out over the next little while, but a corner on 28 minutes is delivered to a high-rising Cuthbert who steers the ball home for our 2nd goal. A great 1-on-1 save from our Goalkeeper keeps our lead safe at 2 late into the match.

The post comes to our rescue just a few minutes from Full-Time, but we hold out for a deserved win and Clean-Sheet.

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

 

Next month, Next blog

A busy February ahead, with 5x League matches. Away days at Oxford, Wycombe and Carlisle; and Home stands against Barnet and Colchester.

The month starts with the next round of the FA Cup though as we travel to Championship side Southampton.

Iraq have just 1 fixture in February, but it is indeed a massive one. The final Asian Cup Qualifier welcoming Hong Kong to Baghdad. A win would see us through, but anything less could potentially be fatal to our qualification.