Orient went three points clear at the top of the Vanarama National League with a huge 2-0 victory at Wrexham A.F.C, in what promised to be one of the biggest away days in recent years.
Wrexham 0 - 2 Leyton Orient
Wrexham- Lainton, Roberts, Pearson (C), Summerfield, Young, Pyke (Maguire-Drew 83), Carrington, Rutherford (Jennings 78), Walker, Beavon (Fondop 79), Lawlor
Unused Subs: Dibble, Wright
Leyton Orient- Brill, Widdowson, Coulson, Ekpiteta, Judd, McAnuff (C), Clay, Gorman (Alabi 85), Dayton (Brophy 68), Koroma, Bonne
Unused Subs: Janata, Happe, Harrold
Match Summary
The Conference's big game between the O's and Wrexham at the top of the table started very competitive, Ekpiketa heading McAnuff's free kick cross over and Dean Brill doing well to save a deflected header inside the opening 10 minutes. Then the O's attacked at Wrexham many times, with Bonne's shot saved easily by the keeper after Wrexham failed to clear on four occasions as Koroma and Judd provided crosses.
Then McAnuff almost scored a great free-kick on the half hour as he managed to hit it over the wall which dipped down but, unfortunately, just wide of the post. Then, out of nowhere, Wrexham countered and Pyke was suddenly was through on goal but Dean Brill pulled off a fantastic block in a one-on-one situation to deny him. Wrexham then tried to use their strengths from set pieces to find a way to get ahead, Widdowson and Ekpiketa keeping Summerfield's crosses away from the danger.
Wrexham went all out at the start of the second half, Ekpiteta rose incredibly high to head the ball away from another Wrexham set piece. Orient were shook on 65 minutes when Pearson's header was saved off the line by Brill, a very lucky escape, thankfully Brillo was having the game of his career! This was followed by the Red Dragons next chance which saw Walker slice his shot, with the home side on top at this point.
With ten minutes to play Brill made a vital save as he kept out a header from going in with his foot. Another fantastic stop. An omen as minutes later a corner was whipped in as Bonne's thunderbolt found the top corner causing incredible celebrations in the away end. Then, a matter of minutes late, Orient were going for the kill, as Brophy's finessed effort curled and smashed the post. Then he managed to chip the goalkeeper to knock the ball in the net for 2-0 in added time and created absolute scenes, one of the best I've seen in a long time following Orient - with my Adidas Gazelle's hurling into the air.
My Thoughts
I couldn't stress enough before how much of an important game this was. I went up there looking for a win maybe a draw too, what we witnessed couldn't have gone any better.
Wrexham were nowhere as good as last season, their tactic was to pump the ball up the field and take advantage of the fact that our defenders kept playing their wingers onside. At 0-0 they tried falling down for fouls at the slightest or even no touch just to win fouls, it worked backing up the amount of free kicks they had which nearly came to bite us. Surprised they weren't given a penalty at the end, it always seems to work against us.
Orient, however, owe a massive hand to Dean Brill, the best I've ever seen him play, a crucial performance he kept out some great chances from the home side. Bonne scoring again, blossoming as a player more and more each game, could hit 30 goals this season, one of the best attackers in the league, Koroma too could hit a good 15/20 goals another player getting better and better. Brophy had a great game, good goal at the end too, Alabi came on and made an impact, definitely what we needed, wouldn't say he changed the game but he really had an instant impact.
Gorman had a great game today, always seems to do well away from home. Pearson was their best player, despite his slow pace he was solid in defence and done what a traditional centre back does, head and clear very well.
What a massive result this is, now with Wrexham in cup action next week, if we beat struggling Aldershot on Tuesday then Gateshead we could be potentially be six points clear of them, a great gap. December is a vital month, a lot of football to be played, wins from Chesterfield, Dover and Dagenham fixtures will put us in good stead for Salford who will have Wrexham twice over Christmas. Win that and then the National League is ours to lose.
Player Ratings
Brill 9
Widdowson 7
Coulson 7
Ekpiteta 8
Judd 7
McAnuff (C) 8
Clay 7
Gorman 8 (Alabi 85) 7
Dayton 7 (Brophy 68) 8,
Koroma 7
Bonne 8
UNUSED SUBS: Janata, Happe, Harrold
Man of the Match - Dean Brill
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