A certain sense of apprehension pervaded the home fans pre-match (and this fan in particular) as we lined up against another of the division’s big hitters. Understandable, considering the hammering we took up at Huddersfield last week and Southampton’s recent serious upturn in form. After a slow start to the season, the Saints had strung together a four consecutive wins to lift themselves off the bottom of the table despite their points deduction, and they looked like the form side throughout. Still, Adrian Patulea was handed an overdue start in the League so there was some small cause for optimism going forward.
Personally I was quietly hoping that we’d avoid an early concession and try to sneak a late 1-0 win, but Orient ruined that plan within two minutes, Tamika Mkandawire bravely heading home JJ Melligan’s good delivery from the right flank. The defender wasn’t able to celebrate opening the scoring, though, as the consequent clash of heads with Neil Trotman saw the Malawian substituted immediately.
Some might suppose that a home side would take confidence and impetus from scoring so early on in a game; alas this is Orient, and they were soon back into their shells via a combination of Southampton’s quality, and Orient’s lack of it. Orient’s one other chance of the half fell to Tam’s centre half partner Ben Chorley, who should have done far better with a volleyed chance created by a Summerfield corner. Instead, he lashed the ball into the ground from 7 yards, and the ball bounced over Kelvin Davies’ bar.
Either side of Chorley’s chance, Southampton dominated. They dictated the midfield battle, with fast-but-useless right midfielder Papa Waigo seeing a lot of the ball, and Rickie Lambert an ever-available target at the top of the pitch. The million pound front man should have had his name on the scoresheet on 43 minutes, but scuffed his close range shot wide of the post.
Talented forward Adam Lallana was being employed on the wide left of the away side’s mindfield five, and he was giving Stephen Purches plenty of problems. He also had the clearest-cut chance of the half, when Paul Wotton’s deflected drive fell to him five yards out and unmarked. However Lallana produced an appalling finish which was tapped straight at Glenn Morris with the goal gaping.
The Orient keeper had certainly been the busier of the two stoppers, though most of his work had been routine catching and kicking rather than a succession of saves. That was to change just after half time as Southampton really turned the screw on Orient and Lambert provided a pinpoint cross onto Lallana’s head. The young forward was thwarted by a superb save from Morris, who also reacted well to smother Waigo’s follow up. Moments later, Southampton countered some rare Orient pressure and cut the home side to ribbons, eventually seeing French youngster Morgan Schneiderlin clean through on goal. Morris produced another brilliant block as the midfielder looked to round him, and Orient were able to clear and counter attack the counter attack.
The ball was worked to Andros Townsend (who, as usual had been Orient’s only regular attacking outlet) and he burst down the left flank, leaving Lloyd James trailing in his wake. The on loan winger’s whipped cross caused consternation in the Saints’ defence, and Neil Trotman chested the ball amusingly past Davies to give the O’s a thoroughly undeserved two goal lead.
Alan Pardew responded to this setback by changing to a 4-4-2 formation and bringing on Irish international David Connelly who proceeded to add an extra dimension to Southampton’s play. He shanked a couple of half chances wide of the goal, but was extremely busy playing off Lambert and linking play between midfield and attack.
There was a certain inevitability about the comeback – James Scowcroft had come on, so we were holding the ball up front even more ineptly than earlier in the game, and the luck they’d enjoyed with Southampton’s poor finishing couldn’t last all game. To their credit, red shirted bodies were being thrown into every tackle and in front of every shot, but one lapse in concentration saw Rickie Lambert given a chance to stroke home the game-changing goal.
The Southampton fans, who had been quiet since Orient’s second, cranked up the noise again and their side responded with frankly relentless pressure, both with and without the ball. It was the ex-Bristol Rovers man who thundered home the equaliser on 84 minutes, and despite complaints over an infringement from some sections of the home crowd, there was no doubting the stellar quality of the finish.
Despite the goal coming so late on in the game, it still seemed like there was going to be a winner, and it nearly came in the unlikely form of, er, Orient. Sub Ryan Jarvis’ tenacity allowed him to outmuscle and outpace Raidi Jaidi, but his teasing cross flashed through the six yard box with Luke Summerfield unable to connect.
Player Ratings
Glenn Morris 8
Handling and kicking were faultless, and a couple of outstanding saves in the second half. Only flapped at one cross, and deserves to keep his place even when Jamie Jones returns.
Stephen Purches 5
Struggled against the talented Lallana, especially in the second half when a lack of match fitness showed. Offered something going forward in the first period.
Charlie Daniels 6
Struggled with the pace of Papa Waigo, but stuck to his task pretty well. Didn’t get forward much.
Ben Chorley 7
Lost Rickie Lambert for the first goal, but generally coped well with Southampton. A real leader, who will be vital in Orient’s survival aims.
Tamika Mkandawire n/a
Only on the pitch for 90 seconds, but opened the scoring with a brave header. Injury didn’t look too serious, and hopefully there was no concussion.
Jimmy Smith 4
Worked hard but made absolutely no impact on the game. Again. Ex-loanee Dean Hammond ran rings around him.
JJ Melligan 6
Lovely cross for the first goal, tracked back admirably as ever, but did little further up the field. In Dan Harding’s back pocket.
Luke Summerfield 7
Tenacious in the tackle for someone so lightweight, Luke tried harder than anybody to stem the flow of Southampton attacks. Occasionally prompted the Os going forward, and should compliment Adam Chambers once the latter returns.
Scott McGleish 5
Really struggled to make an impact. Rarely given the ball, and unusually dominated in the air.
Adrian Patulea 6
Some occasional good moments; he held the ball up well and created a couple of chances for himself. Worked really hard as well.
Andros Townsend 6
Drifted in and out of the game, but carried the only real threat Orient had in possession. Made some pretty poor decisions occasionally, but that has to be expected from someone so inexperienced.
Luke Ashworth 7
Defended manfully all game. His best showing in an O’s shirt, but really needs to work on his heading.
James Scowcroft 2
Came on to hold the ball up and protect a lead. In actuality lost the ball every time he had it, and every header he challenged for (well, except the one he just nodded out for a throw-in). Shot.
Came on and did all the running you’d expect. Had one good moment, but just overhit his cross.
Out of our League (One)?
What’s that? I’ve actually praised the O’s in the article title after we threw away a two goal lead at home with 15 minutes to go? Well, yes: something’s clicked. That’s pretty much as well as we can play. We can’t compete with the Leeds’ and Southamptons of this division (certainly not without Sean Thornton dictating play from the middle of the field) and all I can ask of the side is that they put their nads on the line for the shirt. They didn’t do it last week at Huddersfield, but they did it on Saturday, and reaped the reward of a point. More like that please, chaps.
