Leyton Orient 4 - 0 Havant & Waterlooville
Leyton Orient Starting XI: Brill, Judd, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Ling, McAnuff, Lee, Clay, Koroma, Bonne.
Havant and Waterlooville Starting XI: Dudzinski, Strugnell, Wood, Tarbuck, Cordner, Harris, Stock, Lewis, Kabamba, Cosgrave, Sekajja.
Orient got the game underway kicking towards the goal at the south end of The Breyer Group Stadium. The opening ten minutes were quite even with neither side asserting dominance, despite the disparity between the two sides in the table.
A free-kick for the O’s, deep into the Havant half, was set to be the first opportunity for either side. Dayton expertly chipped it into the danger zone where Lee’s header was partied into the path of Coulson, who was on call to tap home and give the home side the lead on the 11th minute.
Just seven minutes later Orient tried their luck again from a set piece. McAnuff delivered a flat in-swinging corner towards Bonne at the front post, however, it was ultimately deemed that Theo Lewis’ touch wrong footed his own goalkeeper to double Orient’s lead.
It had been debated whether Bonne should claim the goal or if it was an own goal. However there was no debate that from then onwards it grew apparent that it was a matter of men against boys.
As the first half progressed, Orient grew ever confident on the ball. Craig Clay’s low effort forced a fine save from Dudzinski.
It was then the turn of Clay’s central midfield partner to try his luck. Charlie Lee won the ball back in midfield before raising his head and finding the bottom left corner from 25 yards, firing the O’s into a three goal lead just six minutes before halftime.
Within six minutes of the restart, James Dayton had made a claim to be added to the scoresheet however both of his fine efforts were expertly denied by the fingertips of Dudzinski.
In the 60th minute Bonne linked up with Craig Clay in a move that involved nutmegs and back-heels and a tidy finish by the forward in the bottom right corner to assure Bonne’s name would definitely be on the scoresheet and give Orient a 4-0 lead.
The introduction of James Brophy and Dale Gorman for Ling and Lee followed the fourth goal. Likewise Alabi came on to give Orient extra attacking options but he was unable to get in on the act.
As a result of Salford’s draw with Ebbsfleet and Chesterfields late equaliser against Wrexham, the emphatic 4-0 victory put Orient at the top of the National League table.
Player Ratings
Brill (8) - Wasn’t tested much but did the basics right.
Judd (9) - Played superbly on what’s his weaker side with some great tackles.
Coulson (9) - A goal and a clean sheet, can’t expect anything more than that.
Ekpiteta (8) - Put in a standard dominant performance.
Ling (6) - Overall a good game but nothing spectacular.
McAnuff (7) - Not a bad performance, bagged an assist, only undermined by a couple of wayward efforts.
Lee (9) - Great game with a brilliant goal.
Clay (9) - The sponsors man of the match today and very understandably so, did the dirty work perfectly.
Dayton (7) - Posed a threat when he got on the ball, unlucky to not be on the scoresheet.
Koroma (7) - Perhaps didn’t have his shooting boots on but contributed to some great O’s attacks nonetheless.
Bonne (8) - Was one of many players to have squandered a great opportunity but across the 90 minutes there were far more positives.
Subs:
Brophy (7) - Unable to show is usual flair from the fullback position but still looked a danger going forwards.
Gorman (7) - Pulled the strings from midfield when he was on the pitch.
Alabi (6) - His usual physical presence up top gave the O’s another attacking option.
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