Orient got back to winning ways following their first defeat of the season last time out against Sutton, this time triumphing 1-0 at York Road against Maidenhead United. The O's remain second in the Conference standings, a point behind Salford City.
Maidenhead United 0 - 2 Leyton Orient
Maidenhead United Starting XI: Pentney, Clerima, Odametey, Obileye, Comley, Bird (Alves 73), Kelly, Worsfold (Clifton 67), Cole, Akintunde (Archer 78), Massey
Unused Substitues: Smith, Mulley
Leyton Orient Starting XI: Brill, Widdowson, Coulson, McAnuff, Clay, Bonne, Dayton (Brophy 70), Judd, Ekpiteta, Lee (Gorman 75), Alabi (Harrold 79)
Unused Substitutes: Sargeant, Ling
Summary
Justin Edinburgh's side tasted defeat for the first time this campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to Sutton United in the previous fixture, however, the east Londoners then travelled to Maidenhead to get back to winning ways and retain their unbeaten away record.
Within two minutes, the O's attacked and striker James Alabi was flagged offside after some good, dangerous football from the O's involving Craig Clay and Charlie Lee. However, after 11 minutes Orient opened the scoring, some good use of the wide areas saw McAnuff cross in a good ball from the edge of the byline who found Bonne and headed into the bottom far corner past the keeper to make it 1-0. A copy of the goal he scored at York Road last season, which was enough to give Orient all three points that day.
Orient came close to doubling their lead minutes later, where Bonne found Alabi who rolled it just past the post. Maidenhead had a go of finding an equaliser, however, big Marvin was there to keep the o's in front with crucial blocks, a slide tackle and a goal line clearance.
Ten minutes later Orient doubled their lead as well as James Alabi doubling his goal tally, scoring his second goal of the season slotting past the keeper after singing from Tranmere Rovers in the summer. Orient found themselves looking for a third before the break with Dayton's low ball to Bonne, who put it over from close range.
Maidenhead came out with a bit of fight after the break, Joe Widdowson doing enough to put the home striker off from six yards out and then Cole tested Brill in the Orient goal on 55 minutes, a strong battling start to the second period by the hosts.
A quite dull remainder of the game followed, substitute Alves' drilled shot was well saved by Brill, the hosts also had a couple of half chances that the defence and Brill took charge of comfortably. On 85 minutes, Orient missed a good chance. Bonne linked up well with James Brophy who forced a good save out of the goalkeeper.
A 93rd minute goal line scramble in the Orient box then followed as Maidenhead tried to get one back, Gorman was able to clear the danger seconds before the full time whistle. Orient haven't lost away since mid-April and long may that continue.
My Thoughts
A very good result, it was important to get back to winning ways and not let the defeat affect us and drag on, it was a good performance, not the best, but we did what we needed to do and got the three points. Jobi was again great, since coming back he's been a pleasure to watch and this year he's been exceptional - every game he creates an attacking spark.
Bonne grabbed his 10th goal of the campaign today, a good showing from him but could've got another one in my opinion. He has a tendency to miss a few chances, maybe scoring one in four or five chances for example.
It was good to see Alabi back on the scoresheet, a really good performance from him today, a good goal slotted past the keeper and, as usual, used his strength to help us in attack. I think with this signing we had to be patient, a lot of people wrote him off after not scoring in his first 9 games but lately he's shown really good progress and could potentially be a massive part in a potential promotion push.
Coulson done well, Brill done well, Dayton was good out wide, Ekpiketa and Widdowson were crucial at the back, Lee deserves a mention, a good vocal voice in midfield. Overall a good day at the office for Justin Edinburgh and Leyton Orient.
Player Ratings
Brill - 7
Widdowson - 7
Coulson - 7
Ekpiteta - 7
Judd - 6
McAnuff - 8
Clay - 7
Dayton - 7 (Brophy - 7)
Lee - 7 (Gorman - 7)
Bonne - 8
Alabi - 8 (Harrold - 6 )
My Man of the Match: James Alabi
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