Orient looked to get their third win at home in a row but were left frustrated by Aldershot and held to a 0-0 draw.
Leyton Orient 0 - 0 Aldershot Attendance: 4,289
Leyton Orient Starting XI: Brill, Judd, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Widdowson, Dayton (Alabi, 65), Gorman Clay, (Brophy, 45), McAnuff ©, Bonne, Koroma.
Aldershot Town Starting XI: Mannion, Kinsella, McDonnell, Howell, Bernard, Gallagher ©, McCoy, May (Fenelon 14), Osho, Grant (Berkeley-Agyepong 68) McClure (Barrett 30)
Summary
Orient went into the game with the same team that had just beaten Wrexham on Saturday. Orient started very well and dominated the early part of the game but had to wait till 15 minutes into the game when they had their first real chance. Koroma was brought down on the edge of the box, McAnuff stepped up to take the resulting free kick and was unlucky as his shot hit the bar with the keeper well beaten.
The O’s continued to look for the breakthrough through the first half but were struggling to create any clear cut chances. Just before the half hour mark, Orient nearly made it 1-0. Gorman had made a run from the left wing, his initial cross was clawed away from danger by Aldershot’s goalkeeper but it fell to Gorman who had a shot, unfortunately his shot was cleared off the line.
On the 30th minute Aldershot were forced to make their second change due to injury with their first change happening on the 14th minute. Just before their second substitution they had their first chance at goal with a 30 yard strike that just flew inches over the bar.
Orient had one more chance before half time when a McAnuff clearance found Bonne who flicked on for Koroma. He was then one on one with the keeper but just as he was about to shoot, an Aldershot defender managed to get back and clear the ball out for a corner.
The second half started with Orient having to make a substitution of their own when Brophy replaced the injured Clay. Clay had picked up an injury in the first half and you could see he was in some discomfort as the half continued.
Orient started the second half like they had done in the first half. Dayton had been fouled early on the right and McAnuff nearly set up a goal. His free kick found an unmarked and unlikely goal scorer in Widdowson, his free header just going over the bar.
Orient’s early second half pressure nearly paid off when on the 55th minute, Dayton crossed the ball for a late run by Gorman and his low shot was kept out by the goalkeeper.
The game levelled out in the second half with both teams struggling to make any clear cut chances. Alabi was brought on for Dayton with Koroma being pushed out to the wing.
Orient’s next chance fell to Alabi. Bonne’s flick on from a long ball found Alabi through on goal, but he could only shoot straight at the keeper who parried it out for a corner.
Aldershot had their best chance to win the game on the 83rd minute when they broke down the left wing and managed to squeeze a cross into the box. Their player had a free header that was destined for the net but Widdowson was on hand to block and keep the score 0-0.
There were four minutes of added time, with Orient still trying to find the elusive winner, but were unable to as the referee blew his final whistle and Orient drew 0-0 at home for the second time this season.
In my opinion Orient appeared to run out of ideas as the game went on and struggled to find an opening. I did think it was odd when we had a striker on the bench and were looking for a winner and we never brought him on. We could have gone three at the back as Aldershot were not really imposing on our defence. Maybe we should have had a different option on the bench as I find Harrold and Alabi very similar.
We should give Lumeka some time on the bench, his raw pace and ability could have been the key to unlocking Aldershot’s defence. Also this was the third time we managed not to score in the league and all three games have been at home. Something needs to be done about that as that could be the difference between being first or second in the league at the end of the season.
Ratings
Brill (6) – Was solid but wasn’t really called into any action of note
Judd (6) – Solid at the back and kept his opposite number quiet
Coulson (6) – Marshalled the defence to another clean sheet
Ekpiteta (6) – Another solid performance from the England C defender
Widdowson (7) – Should have scored with his free header but also was the player who stopped us conceding
Dayton (6) – inconsistent, was dangerous at times but other times failed to impress
Clay (7) – was our best player in the first half, was a shame he got injured
Gorman (7) – he is getting better with every game, was unlucky not to score twice
McAnuff (7) – nearly scored another free kick, try to bring the team forward in the second half
Bonne (7) – won nearly every header and made plenty of runs but didn’t really get a chance at goal
Koroma (6) – quiet night for him, worked hard and probably should have been allowed to shoot in the second half but the ref didn’t play the advantage on
Subs
Brophy (6) – Looked threatening but the team couldn’t get the ball out to him enough
Alabi (5) – had Orient’s best chance in the second half and should of done better when through on goal