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Still fresh from the news of a managerial change, Russell Slade’s Leyton Orient have looked a new team going into April. Fresh off the back of a surprise 2-1 victory against league leaders Norwich City, the O’s went into this match brimming with confidence. Four points off the drop zone going into the match, Orient have been flirting with relegation all season, whilst their Lancashire rivals have already sealed their descent into League Two following a run of one point from their last five matches.
Leyton Orient were the more lively of the two teams from the off, with a snapshot volley by Adam Chambers from 18 yards, although straight into the keeper’s body, helping the crowd find their voices.
Stockport took slightly longer finding their feet; yet with three successive corners by Jemal Johnson in the first few minutes, Orient briefly looked vulnerable at the back until the ball was bundled clear.
Orient’s first clear-cut chance fell to veteran striker Scott McGleish after a dangerous cross by full-back Eric Lichaj on the ninth minute was met by McGleish, but the ball was hit well over the bar from six yards out.
Stockport’s continued reliance on the left-flank presented the visitors with several spells of good possession football, however with no end product the Lancashire outfit seemed to already be running out of ideas.
Chances continued to fall for Orient at their home ground, and on the 17th minute left-back Charlie Daniels’ storming run into the penalty area before a one-two with Mcgleish forced County’s keeper into a fingertip save to tip the ball around the far right post with the resulting corner producing a tame header from centre-half Tamika Mkandawire from six yards out ending up in Fon William’s gloves.
After countless failed attacks on the left, the Hatter’s first real attack on the right resulted in a strong delivery from Paul Turnball being met by forward George Donnelly. However, County’s hitman’s scuffed shot dribbled gently towards O’s keeper Jamie Jones.
McGleish had a golden opportunity to put the home side in front thankfully flagged down offside, after clever build up play from John Spicer and Ryan Jarvis gave the 36-year-old yards of space to nudge the ball wide of the far right post from a position only five yards from goal.
The last action of the half saw Orient’s Jarvis – quiet until now – wriggle free of his marker to twist and shoot deep into the hatter’s penalty area, forcing a somewhat busy Fon Williams into another convincing save.
Firmly dominating the match, Orient’s play showed glimmers of hope, yet going into the break, a lack of end product saw the scores tied at 0-0.
Both teams began the second half with a fresh burst of energy, with more attacking football resulting in a string of promising chances for both sides. Yet Stockport were dealt a massive blow as Orient were to make up for past rued chances on the 53rd minute. Sean Thornton, man of the match last Wednesday with a brace against Norwich, embarked on a menacing run before unleashing a fearsome drive from 20 yards out. Fon Williams could do little but parry the shot into the path of Jarvis, who reacted first to leave his marker and tap the ball skilfully through the legs of Fon Williams inside the area to give Orient a much-needed lead.
An unnecessary scuffle between current Orient midfielder Jimmy Smith and former Orient striker striker Jabo Ibhere earned them both a yellow card, marking the beginning of a quiet spell between the two sides.
Ibhere had the pick of the chances for Stockport in the second half, when he blazed high and wide from 20 yards on the 65th minute.
However, the match was Orient’s for the taking, and substitute Jason Demetriou was quick to make an impact on the 75th minute. An inswinging corner by the left-winger fell perfectly for Chambers, however once more an Orient chance was to end up weakly caught in Fon William’s arms.
The 77th minute saw yet another chance go begging for the hosts. A great link up as Chambers fed in Jarvis to run clear of the Stockport defence, before stalling his shot, pulling the ball clear of ex-Leeds centre-half Paul Huntingdon and narrowly missing the far right post, and an outstretched goalkeeper, from ten yards.
Another goal was long overdue and within minutes the score line was doubled. Good play between McGleish and Thornton around the 18-yard box led to McGleish feeding in Eric Lichaj, who took a touch before unleashing a crisp 25-yard strike into the bottom left corner of the net to give the O’s a much-deserved 2-0 lead with around ten minutes remaining.
A desperate half-chance for Stockport, as sub Danny Pilkington’s deep cross from the left reached midfielder Andy Halls, who’s header was soon nestled into Jamie Jones’ arms.
With no signs of a comeback throughout the second half, Stockport never seemed to get going, as League Two football beckons for the Lancashire outfit next season. And with three points earned following Orient’s impressive performance today, Slade’s men have a bit more breathing space between them and the drop as the final few games of the season loom upon them.
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