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!

Follow me on Twitter! - @lauriehann

Peterborough United - 8th February 2014

The O's suffer back to back defeats for the first time this season.

A quick review - It was a game we probably didn't deserve to win, but there's no doubt we didn't deserve to lose it in that manner.

The first half was pretty even, Orient playing some lovely attacking football and we could easily have been leading at half time with Cox's volley thumping the post. It wasn't all one way traffic though as Peterborough could easily have been given a penalty for a handball and they too played some nice football.

In the second half we pressed higher up the pitch, and we took the lead after a lovely free kick from James on the right. Peterborough always looked dangerous though, Jalal tipping Assombalonga's curling effort onto the post just before we scored, with the rebound fired wide when it seemed easier to score. The equaliser came from a set piece which was very disappointing. Clarke being beaten to the first header and Assombalonga given the freedom of Leyton to head home. The winner again could've been avoided, Rowe given too much time and space to fire in a shot from the edge of the box, which Jalal should've done better with.

In a game that was tighter than a pair of Simon Cowell's trousers, Slade should've brought on Bartley to shore up the midfield for the last 10 minutes. Alas, he brought on a striker who sometimes plays in midfield in Simpson and although we could've scored again after he came on, it was the wrong change to make.

Man of the match - David Mooney. Took his goal nicely and was easily our most effective attacking player. He won most of his headers and linked up nicely, particularly when Lisbie came on. It's clear to me that our best strike pair is Lisbie and Mooney, purely due to the great understanding they have. Although that's not difficult, has anyone heard Dagnall's accent? Subtitles definitely required.

What next? - Bristol City. If we're to maintain our push for a spot in the top 2 this game is massive. Yesterday was our game in hand after Brentford and Wolves had their games postponed and although we lost, we have another opportunity to go top this Tuesday. What we have to ensure is that we start to see out games like we have done so many times this season, we could easily have had another 4 points if we had seen the last 2 games out better. Still, that's all part of supporting Orient.

Image of the day -

This was how the away end was left by the "Posh" fans. I can only presume their nickname is ironic. 

Up the O's!

Follow me on Twitter! - @lauriehann

Rotherham United - 1st February 2014

The O's suffer only their 4th league defeat of the season at Rotherham.

A quick review - It's never nice losing to Steve Evans.

The first half was a largely forgettable affair, going behind early on to a goal that could easily have been avoided whilst chances were at a premium up the other end. We were lucky not to fall further behind as we struggled to cope with the crosses coming in. It was only after Slade changed things round, bringing Mooney on for the ineffective Simpson, that things picked up, Odubajo finishing with aplomb to level it up. But in difficult conditions we lost it to another goal that should've been avoided, Revell scoring with what was to be fair an excellent finish after sloppy play from the O's.

The manner in which the goals we conceded was most disappointing. For the first goal Cox gave the ball away too easily on the left, and with no pressure on either the impressive Pringle who swung the ball in, or the striker left unmarked in the middle to nod home.  For the second, in a desperate attempt to launch a counter attack, Alnwick contrived to kick the ball about a 3rd of the way down the pitch (something more regularly seen during the half time game between the Under-8s) and with no pressure on Revell from the back 4 he planted a decent finish in the bottom corner. Both could easily have been avoided and who knows what the end result could've been.

Take nothing away from Rotherham though, they adapted well to the windy conditions and on balance they probably deserved the 3 points. Shame about the fat embarrassment who ran on the pitch after the winner though, given the freedom of the O's 18 yard box until Romain tried to usher him off. Rumours that it was Steve Evans are yet to be confirmed. What the "stewards" were doing was unknown at the time, but after the game it became clear that they were all busy holding up metal fences outside.

Man of the match - Unfortunately, there's not many candidates this week with a host of players playing below the high standard they've set themselves this season. If I had to pick one player though it would be Omozusi. Resolute in defence as always, he was also one of the few O's players who were able to find their teammates with a pass. In fairness the conditions were atrocious, but it's a shame so few players managed to adapt. An honourable mention to Dagnall who did superbly to set up Mo's goal, doing what's known in League 1 as a "Mo" by skinning the full back before clipping in a great ball.

What next? - Peterborough. Although this result is a setback, with 5 out of our next 6 games coming at home we've got an excellent chance of re-claiming a spot in the top 2. Hopefully with Mooney getting closer to full match fitness and Lisbie confirmed to not be out for long by Slade, we'll see a more effective striker pairing from the start than Simpson and Dagnall. With a bit of luck, we won't have to play in a galestorm this time and Slade will be able to keep his hat on. 

Up the O's!

Follow me on Twitter! - @lauriehann

Crewe Alexandra - 18th January 2014

The O's again come from behind to return to the top of League One.

A quick review - Well I think the less said about the 1st half, the better. Aside from a couple of comfortable saves early on for Jakupovic (he's got long hair, but we don't care) and half a shout of a penalty against Odubajo I can't remember much else, although that may be due to the fact I felt like I was slipping into a coma.

The second half brightened up, but only after we fell behind to a flukey opener, the shot deflecting over Jakupovic leaving Byron Moore the easy task of nodding in from 0.12 inches. On the balance of play it probably was a fair reflection, but back came the O's roaring with all the vigour of a Gladiator (the Roman kind, not John Fashanu), grabbing two quick-fire goals. The first came from a lovely ball through from Cox, and finished with authority by Dagnall. The second was again a confident finish, but was probably aided by Crewe's defence still failing to clear the ball at the 108th attempt.

Credit must go to Crewe though, for large periods of the game we were 2nd best and they could easily have levelled it in injury time as a shot hit Clarke and drifted just wide.

It would also be nice if Andy Woolmer could ref Orient every week. Of the last 6 league games he's refereed the O's, we've won all 6.

Man of the match - Chris Dagnall. Not since Wayne Purser has such an impact been made by an O's debutant. Ok that may be a slight exaggeration but after two classy finishes, some excellent link-up play with Lisbie and Cox and a terrier-like desire to chase after the ball it's very difficult to remember a more impactful display on debut. Aside from him, Jakupovic was finally tested and did very well - the coaching from Dearden paying off, although I don't think Big Kev appreciated the "he eats what he wants song" pre-game, turning round to give the finger (with a smile it must be noted).

What next? - Coventry City. With Stevenage still in the FA Cup, we have a bit of a rest now before we play Coventry for the 8th time this season. It also gives us the chance to avenge the team who inflicted our first defeat of the season. I'm not really sure whether the extended break will benefit us or not - often with Orient we play better when our fixture list is pretty congested. What is good though is that it will give key players like Lisbie, Vincelot and Mooney the chance to return to full fitness. If Mooney does return it will give Slade a bit of a headache with 6 strikers to choose from (and that's presuming Simpson's injury will keep him out for a while). Still, that's not a bad problem to have.

Up the O's!


Follow me on Twitter! - @lauriehann