Another case of last minute drama helped Leyton Orient retain their unbeaten start with a late minute equaliser at FC Halifax Town. The O's entered into the game on a nine game unbeaten run and second in the Vanarama National League, winning five and drawing four.
Halifax 1 - 1 Leyton Orient
Halifax Starting XI: Johnson, Clarke, Brown (C), Kosylo, Southwell (Maher 84), Edwards, Lenighan, Berrett, Preston (Odelusi 90), Skarz, Hanson. Subs: Rowley, King, Sellars
Leyton Orient Starting XI: Brill, Judd, Ekpietia, Coulson, Widdowson, Dayton (Alabi 81), Clay (Harrold 76), Lee, McAnuff (C), Bonne, Koroma. Subs: Saregent, Happe, Lawless
Summary
The O's started with dominance and were the better side in the opening half of football in West Yorkshire. The Londoners had a decent chance on 15 minutes when Lee played some good passing football with McAnuff, Bonne and Koroma before Koroma's shot was deflected wide of the post.
After several chances, including McAnuff's long range attempt firing just wide, Dayton floated a great ball into the path of Bonne who puts it over from a few yards out. Another good footballing move broke down in the final third as Lee finds Widdowson on the flanks and later gets the ball to Koroma, who missed the ball in the box and was then cleared out by a Fax defender.
Shortly after the break, the O's strike the post. Charlie Lee's through ball to Bonne allowed the striker to drill a low cross into the box for Koroma, however, he was unable to convert as he smashes the ball against the post and couldn't reach the ball for the rebound. So many attacks ending in frustration, the ball was going anywhere but in.
After a failed Orient attack, Halifax, from a goal kick, found their first chance of the half. Playing in dangerous areas, they were later awarded a penalty after a Fax player was brought down. Dayle Southwell converted his spot kick past Brill on 65 minutes, 1-0 FC Halifax.
Then Halifax livened up and started hitting Orient with several attacks and were unlucky with a few chances, forcing the defence into good challenges. One example of this is Joe Widdowson on 73 minutes, sliding into the Halifax winger just outside the box.
After Harold came on he missed a header straight from a corner, then Orient had a throw on and pumped the ball back into the box to Bonne, who fired wide from short range. The frustration in the away end was intense. Orient then had two dangerous chances in the last two minutes of normal time, Judd's low cross dragged wide of the post and Koroma had his shot blocked from outside the area.
Then in the second of the four additional minutes, a goal mouth scramble in the home box saw the ball find itself to substitute James Alabi who registered his first goal for the O's in dramatic fashion. 1-1.
Then Orient had to ensure the point was heading back to E10, Halifax's free kick was saved well by Brill before Nathan Clarke, former O's defender, almost headed home for the Shaymen but hit the side netting, a massive gasp of relief. The full time whistle blew - the points were shared.
Opinion
Orient played well this game, definitely on top until Halifax were awarded the penalty after the hour mark, they did well in the last five minutes which saw attacks with a lot of energy which I didn't see throughout the game. Justin Edinburgh's side had more of the chances, but didn't put them away, especially in the first half which I knew would hurt us in the second 45.
However, at full time I was thrilled with a point. Another scenario where this would've been a game we would have lost last season so credit for the team for their play to the whistle approach JE has had on them this season.
As much as I am a critic of Brill, he did save us from that free-kick in the last minute, a good tip over to deny the Shaymen a goal with the last kick of the game. McAnuff had a great game, in the second half the only one with a bit of creativity and spark, he linked up well with Widdowson in the later minutes but the full back never seemed to hit the right ball in the box. James Alabi recorded his first goal for Orient, being in the right place at the right time, insane scenes in the away end, I must of fell down or up three rows.
A good point, still in the chasing pack, feeling very confident ahead of Saturday considering Barnet haven't started this season well (even though they've won two on the trot). Hopefully another good result in the London derby in deep east to follow next week.
Player Ratings
Brill - 7
Judd - 6
Ekpietia - 6
Coulson - 6
Widdowson - 7
Dayton - 6 (Alabi - 7)
Clay - 7 (Harrold - 6),
Lee - 8
McAnuff - 9
Bonne - 6
Koroma - 6
Comments