Sunday 2 March 2014

Colchester United - 1st March 2014

Orient gain victory over Colchester but drop to 2nd in League One.


A quick review - This game was billed as the A12 derby before kick-off. The Hearns seem to know their stuff when it comes to sports promotion, but I think even this was a step too far for them. Anyway, in a derby that is rivalled only be the El Clasico, it was Orient who came out on top to secure a hugely important 3 points.

After a lively opening in which efforts on goal were pretty limited, it was Orient who took the lead through Mooney as he rifled an unstoppable shot past the keeper following a Cox cross. It was no more than Orient deserved as they restricted Colchester to long range efforts and set pieces.

In the second half, Colchester threw caution to the wind in the search of an equaliser and if it wasn't for some heroics from Jakupovic, we could've found ourselves level much earlier than we did. Eventually Colchester did get a deserved equaliser, Marcus Bean heading home despite Jakupovic's best attempts to save it. It was poor defending in the build up though, as Dickson was given too much time to pick a cross on the left.

Thankfully Colchester showed some tactical naivety as they went in search of a winner, and it was from this that Orient were able to break with pace firstly through Batt, who bundled the ball through to Odubajo who finished confidently.

It wasn't a great performance by the O's, but it was a massive result with Brentford dropping points at Carlisle.

Man of the match - the match sponsors gave the award to Moses, who in fairness did have a good game but personally, I'd have given it to Eldin. His triple save at the start of the second half was something special as he denied Massey. The transformation he's brought to the side has been phenomenal with his commanding presence giving the defence a much needed confidence boost after the 3 consecutive defeats in February. I also particularly enjoyed the way he fell to the ground after claiming a cross late in the 2nd half.

On the other hand, Jabo showed all the reasons why we love him. His turn on the touchline to get away from Sawyer, run 40 yards to goal then pass it to a player about 25 yards out summed him up quite perfectly. As much as we'd all love him to come back, I don't think he's as good as what we currently have, but he was a proper handful for Clarke and Cuthbert, and it was nice that he acknowledged the great reception he got after the game.

What next? - Notts County. With only 12 games remaining it doesn't take a genius to work out that every game is vitally important. Our next two games are away at teams who still have something to play for. Notts County are scrapping for their lives, and they will be keen to make amends for the thrashing they got off Rotherham yesterday. Port Vale also still have an outside chance of sneaking a play-off spot. All we can do is focus on what we're doing, and if we can grind out another win it will keep the pressure on the teams around us. 


Up the O's!


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