Orient smash Daggers for Four

A superb second half performance from the O’s brought a comprehansive victory against Dagenham and Redbridge, this win being their second of the pre-season campaign.

There looked like only one goal scorer during the opening stages where the players had to endure a rather warm and sunny start to the evening. That player was Adam Boyd, who had three attempts in the opening fifteen minutes. Two of those failed to test Tony Roberts but the one that did brought the best out the Daggers keeper. Sean Thornton then curled a free-kick inches wide.

Meanwhile, the Daggers had a good first half of their own, hitting the post twice, forcing a good save from Glenn Morris and having a shot cleared off the line by Sean Thornton. Dagenham’s goal came when Dominic Green skipped and sidestepped his way down the left wing before delivering a low cross that saw Strevens`s first shot blocked, only for the striker to be in the perfect position to ram the rebound home. It stayed that way until half time, with Orient looking dejected.

However, the second half was a completley different story. Orient emerged from the players` tunnel with a greater sense of urgency to their game and ended up scoring four goals.

The first came a couple of minutes after the restart. Demetriou chipped in a threatening looking cross to the far post, dangerous enough to allow JJ Melligan to force in an equaliser beyond Roberts. The Daggers keeper couldn`t do much about the second as referee Jarnail Singh awarded the League One side a penalty after deciding that Jon Nurse handled in the area. Boyd slammed the penalty into the roof of the net.

Orient’s third goal, the goal of the game, was a smashing strike from Boyd who volleyed in his second of the evening from 18 yards, left footed into the top corner after a lovely through ball by Simon Dawkins. The scoring was completed with Dawkins waltzing beyond the home defence before side-footing calmly into the corner of the net.

Soloman Shields rattled the crossbar in the latter stages while Dagenham came close to netting a consolation with a good free-kick just clipping Jamie Jones’s post. But in truth, Orients much improved second half ensured it was a comfortable victory for Martin Ling`s side.


Orient: Morris (Jones 59), Purches (Cave-Brown 76), Granville (O’Donnell 75), Saah, Robson (Palmer 46), Melligan (Pires 59), Thornton (Terry 46), Gray (Chambers 46), Demetriou (Shields 70), W. Gray (Dawkins 46), Boyd.

Player Ratings

JJ Melligan
Average first half but a much improved second period with a goal and some intelligent running and crossing. He looks so much better than last season. The transfer list episode was the kick in the backside he needed.

Adam Chambers
He was everywhere in the second half. Paul Terry was excellent too.

Jason Demetriou
Good assist for the first goal and some good 2nd half work

Simon Dawkins
This youngster looks very impressive indeed. Great pass for Boyd’s wonder goal and a lovely taken strike himself. Works well with Boyd, a good partnership could be in the making.

Soloman Shields
Definitely one for the future in central midfield.