Orient Are Victorious In First Game

The O’s began the new season in winning ways after coming from behind to beat new boys Hereford United at a rainy Matchroom Stadium.

The O’s had their first chance of the afternoon as early as three minutes in when JJ Melligan’s cross from the right was headed goalwards by Adam Chambers, and while Dean Beckwith was on hand to block his effort, skipper Stephen Purches followed up with a snap shot from the edge of the area that didn’t trouble keeper Darren Randolph.

Orient sprayed the ball around nicely on a wet surface and went straight back on the attack, through Purches in another advanced position on the right. He fired the ball across the goal, which Randolph parried to the edge of the area where Jason Demetriou wildly shot over with a left footed drive when it was easier to score.

But The Bulls looked dangerous from set pieces, and they showed that when towering defender Dean Beckwith headed home Simon Johnson’s corner kick in the 13th minute.

Even after the goal, The O’s continued to pass the ball around nicely and they levelled the scores just a few minutes later. An excellent Melligan sent another ball into the danger zone which evaded everyone, including Adam Boyd’s desperate attempt at a diving header. That proved enough to fox Randolph, who let the ball go under his body into the net.

The East Londoners were to take the lead right on the stroke of half-time after former Bulls captain Tamkia Mkanadwire’s header from Melligan’s cross was handled in the area by defender Richard Rose. Boyd stepped up to calmly slot home the resulting penalty inside Randolph’s right-hand post.

In a second half failing to live up to the opening 45, Hereford, looking for an equalizer and being loudly cheered on by 805 away supporters, had most of the chances, Kris Taylor’s long range effort easily saved by Morris on 71 minutes.

Herford also had the next chance on 78 minutes, but again Morris easily save, this time from Toumani Diagouraga’s free-kick. Matt Done then attempted his luck with a shot from the edge of the area, although again it was easy for Morris to deal with.

But the O’s held on, and went into Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie with Ipswich Town on a high note with a victorious start to the 08/09 campaign.



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Leyton Orient: Morris, Purches, Mkandawire, Saah, Granville, Melligan, Chambers, Terry (Thornton 79), Demetriou, Boyd (Pires 88), Jarvis (Wayne Gray 69).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Palmer.

Goals: Melligan 23, Boyd 45 pen.

Hereford: Randolph, Rose, Oji, Beckwith, Threlfall, Johnson, Diagouraga, Taylor, Smith (Guinan 81), Done, Ashikodi (Hudson-Odoi 70).
Subs Not Used: Samson, Easton, Macleod.

Goals: Beckwith 14.

Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).